Tracy,
I'll chime in here about the marijuana. Though in our society marijuana ia quite a loaded issue (ha-ha cant resist the pun), if you look past all that to the therapeutic properties it can be very beneficial in PALS. The main benefit is that it is excellent in treating spasticity, but it also reduces saliva, stimulates appetite, and has some general analgesic properties. I have a .pdf article from a medical journal (written by 2 docs at reputable MDA clinics) that is specifically about using MJ to help treat ALS symptoms. I can email if anyone wants to send me a private message. Also, though smoking is damaging to lungs, they recommend herbal 'vaporizers' which release the active ingredients without having to have the harmful effects of smoke. I think about 11 states now allow its use for things like ALS.
Spasticity is such a hard thing to treat, it is good to have a drug like marijuana that isnt as dangerous or has as bad side effects as baclofen, for example.
Beth