JMH
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
- Messages
- 42
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- CA
- State
- Manitoba
- City
- The Pas
Just wanted to mention a few things...ask a few more questions.
After seeing a second neurologist who examined my dad and "confirmed" the diagnosis of ALS I have been very busy. Through emails and telephone conversations with the Manitoba ALS Society I have been in touch with a doctor's office in Wpg. MB. They seem very eager to help and are trying to get an appointment arranged for my Dad in the first week of August. Since he has had no EMG or NVC testing I am anxious for him to see a specialist. Dad was diagnosed with Familial ALS which still baffles me as there has been no history of ALS known in his family. He is scheduled for an MRI in mid-August.
At present he is dealing with decreased mobility - especially in his right leg, great fatigue, depression from losing my mom last November and not being able to do the great many things he could do such a short time ago. (Full time farmer and caregiver to my mom). We have obtained a walker for him to use, as he has had several falls. The CAT scan on his back showed spinal stenosis (the results I received after having to pay a visit to his doctors office). Apparently the doctor didn't consider it worth following up....
I just spent two weeks with Dad, giving my sisters back home a break and trying to keep Dad's spirits up.
He reminds us regularly that the neurologist has given him 3 years to live, which I find totally unacceptable as they told him this and sent him home without further ado. (Something that I hear is quite common, unfortunately.) I'm wondering when doctors have become so God-like that they can predict such things and actually say things like this to their patients.
I am finding a little hope that a specialist is interested in seeing him soon.
I'm wondering now what supplements, vitamins, etc. might be beneficial to dad. I've started him on Vitamin E & B and coenzyme Q10. Any advice would be welcome. Everyone has been so helpful in the past. Not sure whether I'm grasping at straws but would like to do anything that might help. Right now all Dad is taking for meds. are a sleeping pill at night and an anti-depressant in the morning.
Once again - thanks so much. Take care everyone.
JMH
After seeing a second neurologist who examined my dad and "confirmed" the diagnosis of ALS I have been very busy. Through emails and telephone conversations with the Manitoba ALS Society I have been in touch with a doctor's office in Wpg. MB. They seem very eager to help and are trying to get an appointment arranged for my Dad in the first week of August. Since he has had no EMG or NVC testing I am anxious for him to see a specialist. Dad was diagnosed with Familial ALS which still baffles me as there has been no history of ALS known in his family. He is scheduled for an MRI in mid-August.
At present he is dealing with decreased mobility - especially in his right leg, great fatigue, depression from losing my mom last November and not being able to do the great many things he could do such a short time ago. (Full time farmer and caregiver to my mom). We have obtained a walker for him to use, as he has had several falls. The CAT scan on his back showed spinal stenosis (the results I received after having to pay a visit to his doctors office). Apparently the doctor didn't consider it worth following up....
I just spent two weeks with Dad, giving my sisters back home a break and trying to keep Dad's spirits up.
He reminds us regularly that the neurologist has given him 3 years to live, which I find totally unacceptable as they told him this and sent him home without further ado. (Something that I hear is quite common, unfortunately.) I'm wondering when doctors have become so God-like that they can predict such things and actually say things like this to their patients.
I am finding a little hope that a specialist is interested in seeing him soon.
I'm wondering now what supplements, vitamins, etc. might be beneficial to dad. I've started him on Vitamin E & B and coenzyme Q10. Any advice would be welcome. Everyone has been so helpful in the past. Not sure whether I'm grasping at straws but would like to do anything that might help. Right now all Dad is taking for meds. are a sleeping pill at night and an anti-depressant in the morning.
Once again - thanks so much. Take care everyone.
JMH