"my" because I am here all the attempting to document my experience
with my ALS -- not ALS in general.
FUQ because I feel questions often go unasked, especially by adults.
What is ALS?
Lou Gehrig's disease, like Stephen Hawking has. A neurodegenerative disease that causes paralysis and muscle wasting.
Is it contagious?
No. Nobody catches ALS from another person.
Is it genetic?
90% of the cases are considered sporadic. I have no family history of ALS.
Is it curable?
Currently there is no cure available, there is no treatment.
What is that mask on your face?
It's called the bipap -- very similar to a CPAP used for sleep apnea. It's an air compressor. Not oxygen, ordinary air.
Does ALS hurt?
In my experience, it is not painful, and that is consistent with the literature, though I have heard others complain of a lot of pain. I have some pain -- earlier on there was sort of a opposite of "growing pains", i.e. a dull ache as muscles atrophied. Earlier on there was also muscle cramping. But now there is not much muscle left to cramp or ache.
What does ALS feel like?
Not being able to move a finger feels sort of like not being able to wiggle your ears. It doesn't really feel like the finger is immobilized, it's just not going anywhere. When I first had trouble walking, it felt like wearing a leaden pancho. Now I am confined to a wheelchair all day and it feels like G forces are pressing my upper body backward into the chair. My hands and feet are often very cold -- even in the summer.
Can you still feel?
Yes. Sensory nerves are not affected. Only the motor nerves -- those carrying signals from the brain to the muscles -- are affected.
Is it a disease of the myelin sheath?
No, it is not like MS.
How did you get it?
No one knows. It usually strikes adults, males more often than females. It has been observed, though not totally accepted, that it more often strikes lean or athletic people. It seems to strike Italian professional soccer players more often than the general population. Gulf War veterans seem to get ALS twice as often as would be predicted statistically.
Any ideas why?
Nothing but speculation: blue-green algae, protein misfolding, an autoimmune problem, a blood brain barrier problem, etc.
if they can induce ALS in a mouse, how is that they don't know what causes ALS?
10% of ALS cases are "familial"-- involving a specific gene. They are able to splice that gene from human DNA into a living mouse and produce ALS like symptoms. They test drugs on these mice. It is hoped, but not proven, that knowledge gained through this method is transferable to humans.
Are you depressed?
I have had five years to deal with it -- 11% of my life so far. Some people are prone to depression -- I don't think I am. One must take each day for all it's worth.
Are you scared?
Mostly no. I could die of carbon dioxide buildup -- drift off to sleep and not wake up. That sounds like as good a deal as anybody gets. Or i could fall smash my head, get run over by a truck etc.
Are you able to sleep?
There was a point where I would feel somewhat panicked when I went to bed -- sleep should be restorative, we sacrifice part of the day to unconsciousness in order to wake up refreshed. I felt that my time remaining was limited, and with the passage of time I felt that it weakens, not refreshes. It sucks. I got over it.
Do you ask "why me?"
A bus driver asked me that -- I don't think it occurred to me. I did wonder if things I did, or were exposed to, contributed, but at this point that is totally unanswerable and researchers are skeptical that knowing the cause would even lead to a therapy -- if a building catches fire, knowing where it started isn't really useful in putting it out.
Are you seeing a specialist?
Yes, I go to an ALS clinic.
What do they do?
Watch. Advised me against trying any alternative treatments. There are no other treatments. They did get me this wheelchair, and bipap, and offered a leg brace, but mostly they look stuff up on Google and tell me about it, and admonished me to not believe any thing on the Internet.
What does it feel like to have only a quarter of normal breathing?
When I have to take the bipap off, it's kind of like swimming. I could be without it for a short period of time, but I need to get it back on quickly. I keep thinking of that scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey where David Bowman has to travel from the pod back to Discovery...
Can I have your stuff?
Bite me.
History… We’re Soaking in It!
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Visiting the Pacific Ocean in late August, an easy bike ride from home…
Last December I wrote a bit about my discovering more deep history around
the Pac...
6 days ago
10 comments:
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Thanks for posting this. I'm one who would probably ask more questions than most but then I wouldn't know enough about this disease to know what questions to ask.
Are you able to type? If so I'd be interested in hearing your reminiscenses about SVS, I think you rode that didn't you?
PS: One other FA/UQ you didn't include:
What can I do to help?
Yr Pal, Dr C
I rode SVS in '04. I was the first American to start. Write-up and photos here.
I have been following this blog for a while now and i decided to share my story on how i survived and got a cure from ALS which would have maybe by now killed me. I was diagnosed with ALS in 2013 and it came with symptoms like overall weakness and i could not swallow and i ended up in a wheelchair though my doctor tried to put me on occupational therapy and physiotherapy but none seemed to give a relief as my condition grew worse in 6 months. I was lucky to have contacted Dr. Joseph and used his herbal medicine that treated me and gave me life, just 3 months of using the medicine which spans for 6 months positive improvements were visible, like my speech, all movements. A few years have gone by and i am still very much alive and healthy. Do not give up, you too can get a cure you can contact him directly on the contact below (josephalberteo @ gmail. com) for advise and effective solution. I pray you get cured soon.
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The global sleep apnea diagnostic and therapeutic devices market is estimated to reach US$ 7.2 Billion by 2021, expanding at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2017 to 2021. Market by product (diagnostic devices – actigraphy systems, polysomnography, respiratory polygraph, single channel screening devices (pulse oximeters), therapeutic devices – adaptive servo ventilation systems, airway clearance systems, positive airway pressure devices, oral appliances, oxygen devices). Major players include Fisher & Paykel Corporation, Philips Healthcare (Respironics), ResMed, Inc., and others.
https://www.ihealthcareanalyst.com/report/sleep-apnea-diagnostic-therapeutic-devices-market/
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thanks to Dr ebhota, who cured me of fallopian tube blockage and fibroid.
i married for over five years with out a child of my own,
because of the problem of my fallopian tube and fibroid, until i came in contact with
Dr Ebhota's testimony and recommendations online, on how he has cured and healed so many people of the same illment, and i decided to contact him,
and he administered his medication on me, and i became pregnant in two months.if you want to reach him for a similar problem, you can reach
him on +2349035324155 or email him,
drebhota123456@gmail.com
i have been trying to get pregnant for over 5 years now. My husband and I have been seeing a fertility specialist. We have done our best but no luck. My husband has a sperm count which goes up and down,the doctor has recommended him taking the Proceed supplement which he is doing over 3 years with no change in the situation .. I was so confused until i contacted this powerful spell caster Dr. Ebhota online who I saw a number of testimonies of how he has help so many of people so I sent Dr. Ebhota a mail and I told him all my sorrows and pain he replied me and ask me not to cry any more that he will help, he sent me some instructions and caution, Dr. Ebhota cast the spell and I bought some items to complete the spell casting and he told me to meet with my husband.. Within 3weeks of doing this I felt some changes and I went to my doctor and it was confirm that I was pregnant,i promises Dr Ebhota to share his testimony for three years,it has been over a year and four months now,i have been testifying this great testimonies for my life and my husband,for any one how need his help herb potion should contact him,on his Email [ drebhota123456@gmail.com ] or call him on [ +2349035324155 ]
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