Recently diagnosed with pneumonia

[Smith2026]

good evening to all...my dad was recently diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday. I was wondering if having pneumonia progresses ALS further, as I have read that in some people falls have done this to some patients. He also had, slipped while going to the bathroom the Saturday before (I am kinda of thinking maybe his muscles gave out as he was sitting down on the toilet). Monday morning the nurse had noticed that his breathing was shallow, by Thursday his coloring was greyish and very weak. Xrays confirmed pneumonia.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

Smith, I’m sorry to hear about your dad. Yes, I believe that pneumonia and other conditions do speed up ALS progression. For sure falls do. Someone in an advanced stage of ALS doesn’t have as many reserves to fight pneumonia, and if respiratory status is compromised due to ALS, improvement can be a real challenge. It’s important to know his end of life wishes in this sort of situation, in case he takes a turn for the worse.

Best of luck with your dad.