[David McNally]

My ALS symptoms started five years ago, and my internist has told me for years that I have a postnasal drip. But only in the last six months have I experienced a runny nose at least half of the day/Evening. Since I have no use of my arms and hands, caring a handkerchief we’re blowing my own nose is not an option. I am seeing a new ENT doctor the end of this week, who I hope Will be able to recommend some effective remedy.if I learn anything useful I will pass it along. I am taking Radicava, but I’ve been doing so for nearly a year, so do not believe that it is responsible for the tremendous amount of mucus. I also have been taking Relyvrio, but again do not think it is responsible as I have been taking it for several years and the tremendous upsurge in postnasal drip is a very recent phenomenon.

[David McNally]

(My first post). I was diagnosed with ALS in December 2019, although my symptoms (trouble buttoning buttons with my right hand) started a year earlier. A present, I have no use of my arms and hands, my legs are weakening quite rapidly (that started less than a year ago), I have” Head drop” so wear a neck collar all the time, and in the last few months I have started to have some difficulty swallowing effectively.

I took Riluzol several years ago, but stopped after a few months because my liver enzymes were spiking. I have taken relyvrio for more than two years, and Radicava for nearly one year. The good news is that I am experiencing few if any Side effects (sometimes itchiness on the head, and some fatigue, although that may be just a standard side effect of ALS itself). The bad news is that I have absolutely no idea if either or both of these medication’s are having the slightest beneficial effect. My neurologist does not believe there is any”Additive” benefit of taking both medication’s versus just taking one or the other. But I take both because I have extremely generous health insurance (with a sticker price of $14,000/month for each medication, I could not begin to afford taking either one where it not for my generous health insurance). I am 79 years old and have had a very good life, so I do not expect to remain above ground one more than another three years and most (although my fabulous wife would prefer that I be able and inclined to live longer). David