Sheldon
New member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2012
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- US
- State
- MO
- City
- Excelsior Springs
Hello,
My Mother was diagnosed with ALS 2 months ago, but I'm fairly sure she has had this for some time. Looking back there have been symptoms that were overlooked. She is 78 and has rapidly declined over the last few weeks. This all started when she had hip replacement surgery and never really recovered. She was having severe muscle stiffness and cramping and has steadily worsened. She is at a point now that she cannot feed herself and her muscles are so stiff/locked that she cannot move enough to even use a wheelchair or the toilet. Her hsband (my stepfather) is doing all he can (he is retired) but he is strugling to provide her basic needs. The family has stepped in to help with food, cleaning, and of course moral support... but we all feel so helpless. She is adamant that she will not go to a 24/7 care facility (she is a retired nurse) so everyone is trying to support her in this.
She is on various medications but the muscle relaxers do not help except to put her to sleep. I'm not sure if I'm asking for anything... just venting.
Thanks for listening!
Sheldon
My Mother was diagnosed with ALS 2 months ago, but I'm fairly sure she has had this for some time. Looking back there have been symptoms that were overlooked. She is 78 and has rapidly declined over the last few weeks. This all started when she had hip replacement surgery and never really recovered. She was having severe muscle stiffness and cramping and has steadily worsened. She is at a point now that she cannot feed herself and her muscles are so stiff/locked that she cannot move enough to even use a wheelchair or the toilet. Her hsband (my stepfather) is doing all he can (he is retired) but he is strugling to provide her basic needs. The family has stepped in to help with food, cleaning, and of course moral support... but we all feel so helpless. She is adamant that she will not go to a 24/7 care facility (she is a retired nurse) so everyone is trying to support her in this.
She is on various medications but the muscle relaxers do not help except to put her to sleep. I'm not sure if I'm asking for anything... just venting.
Thanks for listening!
Sheldon