The Truth!! How much do you know about ALS - Lou Gerhrig's disease?

Question

My Grandma has ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease and my family is starting an awareness campaign. Without doing any research or asking anyone, tell me what you know about this disease. Be truthful! thanks

Answer 1

I wish the best for your Grandma.

It is a neurodegenerative disease that usually attacks both upper and lower motor neurons and causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord.

A common first symptom is a painless weakness in a hand, foot, arm or leg. Other early symptoms include speech swallowing or walking difficulty.

Answer 2

I know that it is a progressive, debilitating disease where one loses muscle control but not brain function, resulting in losing the ability to breathe on ones own, but still being mentally aware of what's going on. I'm sorry about your grandma.

Answer 3

you can go to this website and find a lot of information



www.alsa.org

I know a little bit about it just because Jim "Catfish" Hunter, the pitcher for the Oakland A's and the New York Yankees passed away from ALS,  He was born and raised in Hertford, North Carolina and my grandparents knew him quite well and I got to meet him as a young kid.  I followed his career, and was quite saddened when I learned of the effects that ALS has on the body

but basically the disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy because of that denervation. The patient may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement except for the eyes.

Answer 4

KUDOS to the 3 good answers above me!!

I have actually taken care of a person with Lou Gerhrig's disease before.  He lost function of his muscles from foot on up.  His family eventually had the Dr. put a feeding tube in him. He had a trach placed in sometime later and was then placed on a portable vent.  I continued to talk to him when I gave him Tx's and or cleaned his trach.  I could tell that he could understand me but could not communicate.  It was almost like he was trapped in his own body.  The last thing that went on him was his lungs.  It was almost like he was suffocating.  I hope this does not offend you or make your day worse.  You said that you wanted the truth and I know that if I were in your situation that I would want the truth too.  

Just remember this, even though your grandma may look sickly and have wires and tubes all over her, she can still hear you.  Make sure that you let her know how much you love her.  I always felt that when they have someone there talking to them, it gets their mind off of what is really going on.  Feel free to email me about any other questions you may have.  My husband's cousin's father in law has this disease too, so I can give you more information if you would like.