[Kathy stitz]

Hi Dagmar,

Thank you so much for your response.  I think it’s really nice that people with ALS as well as their caregivers can find support and friends here.  Thank you for being one of the moderators. I look forward to learning more and participating in the forums.

[Kathy stitz]

I was diagnosed with ALS a few months ago and have been having difficulty with coping with this diagnosis.   I have felt hopeless and have had suicidal thoughts.  There is no cure for this and it doesn’t seem like there will be a cure anytime soon.  Sometimes I have even tried to tell myself I really don’t have ALS. I struggle mentally as well as physically with having pain in my body.  Things that I used to take for granted are harder to do now, like eating, speaking, breathing, and walking. Some days are better for me than others in terms of accepting that I have this and trying to do the best I can with it. Any help from others about things that helped them to come to terms with this diagnosis would be greatly appreciated.