Hello all,
I've been away for some time. Reading, but not posting.
My mom went to the ALS clinic yesterday for her 3 mo. checkup.
Since her diagnosed in early June, she has lost 30lbs! I don't believe there has been any suggestion on the part of her docs for a PEG tube, but I may be wrong. Initially, she didn't even want a PEG, changed her mind, but may have changed it back.
My question is regarding her ability to breath and placement of the PEG. I remember reading somewhere that after a certain number was reached regarding breathing, that docs considered it too dangerous to place a tube. The only number I have from mom is her ability to exhale is at 20. This is considered very, very low. Three months ago it was 29. They're placing her on a BiPap.
And so, my question is----is that number of 20 an indicator of her not being able to even get a feeding tube? Just wondering. It may be that she isn't let us know the docs thoughts on the tube because she doesn't want one and we all threw such a fit the last time she said she didn't want one. It just seems that a 30lb loss in 5 months is huge!
Thank you,
C.
I've been away for some time. Reading, but not posting.
My mom went to the ALS clinic yesterday for her 3 mo. checkup.
Since her diagnosed in early June, she has lost 30lbs! I don't believe there has been any suggestion on the part of her docs for a PEG tube, but I may be wrong. Initially, she didn't even want a PEG, changed her mind, but may have changed it back.
My question is regarding her ability to breath and placement of the PEG. I remember reading somewhere that after a certain number was reached regarding breathing, that docs considered it too dangerous to place a tube. The only number I have from mom is her ability to exhale is at 20. This is considered very, very low. Three months ago it was 29. They're placing her on a BiPap.
And so, my question is----is that number of 20 an indicator of her not being able to even get a feeding tube? Just wondering. It may be that she isn't let us know the docs thoughts on the tube because she doesn't want one and we all threw such a fit the last time she said she didn't want one. It just seems that a 30lb loss in 5 months is huge!
Thank you,
C.