My father just recently was prescribed some Muscle Relaxers when he was up at Duke in February. Said he didn't like taking them during the day b/c it made him feel more like jello. Then we suggested him taking them before he goes to sleep as he was having a lot of muscle spasms and such at night...and it seems to be helping according to my mother. She said he sleeps more soundly as before she could feel when he was having his spasms.
Okay...so I have a question for you all. My dad was diagnosed back in November of last year w/ PLS. Duke confirmed the diagnosis back in February when he went up there for his first consultation. As of right now my dad's one leg is the major issue, and it may be starting to effect his other a bit. He can get around w/ a cane, and holding onto things as one of you mentioned prior, but it's very slow b/c of balance issues. He has fallen a few times...once last week trying to get into bed...which of course was very upsetting and discouraging to him. That's when he brought up feeling as though he's a burden...which as I've said before I could never feel as though someone I love so much is a burden. My father has basically given up since his diagnosis. He talked about once it was warm enough to swim, getting in their pool everyday, but this has not happened. He just doesn't see the point. I don't think he's had the courage to get on this site yet, although my mother did sign him up and give him a password. I think a part of him is scared to see what lies down the road for him perhaps? It's hard not knowing what to do or say. Typically when I hang out w/ him we really don't discuss it b/c I know he's happier just chatting about other things. We really want him to fight this and I've read on here from most everyone that exercising does help. His routine right now is to sleep in, go into their store they own for a bit...he can't do anything but is still interacting w/ the customers which is good for him...and then he comes home early and sits in his chair and drinks.
I was recently discussing this w/ a co-worker, also one of my good friends...and how hard it is to watch him just give up. She use to see a trainer...Randy that does home visits and has worked w/ a parapellegic (who was obviously in worse shape than my father is) and thought it may be a good thing to check into. I've called the trainer, explained the situation and he's more than willing to go work w/ my father. My sister and I were thinking to get him 4 home training sessions for Father's Day. He really needs a push to fight this and exercise, and I'm hoping this will help. Do you guys think this is going to be offensive to him? I feel like initially he might not be thrilled about it, but I'm hoping after meeting they guy and talking w/ him and him showing him some things, that this will motivate him, and in the same token show him how much we want him to fight this. Please give me some feedback as I'm a little nervous about this.
And on a different note, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate this forum. I've been able to learn a lot, although there is much more to learn, and I've even been able to contact someone in my area of whom's brother has ALS. She is a strong advocate as I wish to become. And she even informed me that there are meetings here locally that I'm going to start attending, and hopefully we can do as a family. I just feel blessed to have you all to talk to, so thank you for that.