RICHPD
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2008
- Messages
- 20
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Diagnosis
- 3/2008
- Country
- US
- State
- ma
- City
- weymouth
My 88 year old dad was just diagnosed this week with ALS, he does not yet know. We will be taking him to Boston for a second opinion. His symptoms started in October but have progressed over the past month. He has gone from weakness in his right leg while walking to not being able to stand up without support. His right hand cannot hold objects because it has no strength, his left hand and and leg seem fine as of now.
I will read as much to learn more but for now I just want to ask a few basic questions.
I understand all cases and people are different but here goes.
Will all symptoms eventually consume i.e. speach impaement, inability to swallow, etc.
He reports no pain now, does this change and if so how is physical comfort administered, even without pain how extreme are the physical suffering symptoms.
He was living alone and obviously cannot going forward, where can an ALS patients live,
does medicare and blue cross cover assisted living facilities, is nursing home an option, what are my other options. Our home can welcome him but we work and he would often be alone.
How rapid ( i realize this really is a case by case) does one decline and is age a factor.
lithium from other posts seems to be real hope and seems to be working based on what people are saying, why does it not have wide spread usage?
I'll go back to reading but thanks your your anticipated responses, And what else should I be asking for now.
I will read as much to learn more but for now I just want to ask a few basic questions.
I understand all cases and people are different but here goes.
Will all symptoms eventually consume i.e. speach impaement, inability to swallow, etc.
He reports no pain now, does this change and if so how is physical comfort administered, even without pain how extreme are the physical suffering symptoms.
He was living alone and obviously cannot going forward, where can an ALS patients live,
does medicare and blue cross cover assisted living facilities, is nursing home an option, what are my other options. Our home can welcome him but we work and he would often be alone.
How rapid ( i realize this really is a case by case) does one decline and is age a factor.
lithium from other posts seems to be real hope and seems to be working based on what people are saying, why does it not have wide spread usage?
I'll go back to reading but thanks your your anticipated responses, And what else should I be asking for now.