George T.

Hi Gail,

I wrote about my experience with a shower chair here: https://alsandwellness.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-i-made-my-shower-safer.html
although mine is not tilting.
Here is a Google link to the types of tilting chairs available.…[Read more]

Yes, Ralph, range of motion exercises are a great start to help with recovery.

My update – – it’s been 2-1/2 weeks since the onset of my covid, and, I’m finally not coughing (yay!). Still sleeping a lot, but have to say, I do feel better.

Hi Kathleen, I think Ralph meant “FVC” – – forced vital capacity. Or… maybe he meant FRS-R (Functional Rating Scale-Revised). It’s what they use in the ALS clinics to gauge the rate of progression of our symptoms.

Great to hear your trips to the National parks were good ones. Those are good tips too!

What sad news! Thank you Kathy for sharing this. It is so hard to imagine losing Marianne – – she was a positive spirit who helped others and was a valuable member of our forum.

Here is a link to her obituary to learn more about Marianne’s vibrant life: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/marianne-opilla-obituary?id=35305581

Our thoughts…[Read more]

Ralph, I’m still in my 2nd week of recovery but am noticing that the previous week of bed rest and minimal physical movement had a negative effect on my overall strength. It’s an example of “disuse atrophy” and boy, does it happen quickly!. I am slowly getting back to doing my various movement routines… but having to start with lower reps and…[Read more]

Richard, we do support differing opinions. However, I believe several of your recent replies were deleted because you were posting (repeatedly) long lists of links rather than participating in the topic’s discussion. Each time you posted the same list a private message was sent to you outlining the what and why they were deleted.

Having ongoing…[Read more]

Patty, I agree that you can continue keeping your body moving with at-home sessions, rather than formally seeing a PT. But a PT or OT can give you guidance on what exercises to do.

It’s not about “building up” muscles, it’s about maintaining the muscle strength you have now.

Actually, the muscles won’t break down from overwork – – it is from…[Read more]

We look forward to your future check-ins letting us know how you are doing!

What a positive report on how PT has helped you through the years! Keep setting those goals…it’s what keeps us pALS looking forward.

Rebecca, I’m happy to read that you are continuing your PT sessions. I suggest you keep a focus on strengthening your core. Plus, breaking up your at-home exercise into short sessions throughout the day. That way, you can keep your energy up and not overtax your weak leg & foot. During my 1st yr with ALS I learned the importance of adapt, adapt,…[Read more]

That’s very helpful information John, about medicare access. Thanks for sharing it – – and, along with how your PT sessions have been helping. Keeping our ALS-bodies in alignment and moving, I believe, contributes to slowing down symptom progression.

Suzanne, that’s good that you still do at-home stretches for your husband between the PT visits. So many pALS rely on only the weekly PT sessions for their movement. But bodies need to move every day – – whether we’re doing the movement, or someone is helping us do it.

I know it takes a lot of your energy to help him stretch daily, but I’ll bet…[Read more]

Mary Jo, …range of motion exercises, every day! Bravo!