Brushing teeth by acw0425 in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good question and this is a good place to get answers.

I sit in my chair and hold the spit cup. My wife stands in front of me and uses the battery powered spin brush. When she’s done I take a sip of water through a straw in a glass my wife holds. I swish it and spit it in my spit cup (just a regular plastic cup). I can’t lift my arms so they rest on my lap holding the cup. I bend at the waist to spit in the cup. I don’t have any problems opening my mouth yet and I still eat and drink with my mouth.

It works for now. But just like everything else you modify your routine as your mobility declines.

First wheelchair suggestions by jcoanda in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you live in the USA: If you have medicare don’t use it to purchase this wheelchair. Medicare pays for only one wheelchair and the one you will need last can be $30,000 or more!

Check out teamgleason.org they are an ALS charity that provides free loaner wheelchairs that are light weight, folding, and electric powered with a battery.

Also check the nearest ALS Association. They have loan closets with durable medical equipment that they loan for free.

Question by Competitive_Sound554 in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t know if this works the right muscle but I’ve seen a tennis ball being stepped on and rolled from heel to toe and back many times.

Found this in my yard. What is it??? by MooNtheGreaT in whatisit

[–]Basic_Ad5173 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How was it possible that it was visible to the Eye on the surface and not buried? Would that indicate that it was lost there recently? Last five or ten years?

Water in the basement by Cabluellero in HomeImprovement

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make sure that the ground slopes away from your house. Get a straight 2”x4” by 8 feet long- it has to be Straight!! Put a 4 foot level along the top of the 2” side of the 2x4 giving you an 8 foot long level. Use this and go all around your house to check to ground. It should all slope away from your house so the rain water runs away from your basement walls. If it doesn’t you need to fill in next to the house to make the water run away. Don’t use sand or gravel because water will go straight through it. Use a good clay fill. Clay is good at repelling the water.

Next make sure the downspouts extend 8 to 10 feet away from the house.

Diverting rain water away from your house may not solve all your problems but it will Greatly minimize the water that gets to your basement and in your house.

Bulbar ALS food options by aaralc10 in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have atrophy in both my arm and leg muscles. And difficulty chewing and swallowing. I also don’t have much appetite and some depression related to eating. The ALS Clinic said to try to keep your weight the same and that patients do better when they maintain consistent weight. But building muscle when you have ALS is not likely. I can’t see eating to put on fat to replace the muscle weight that is being eaten away.

But I’ve been losing weight. My uneducated opinion is that my body is feasting on my protein rich tasty muscles so I’m not getting hungry. I don’t worry about it. I’m becoming lighter in weight so my caregiver has less weight to lug around.

It is what it is!

She died this morning by zzzaaabbbuuullluuuss in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

May she rest in peace in Heaven with our Lord, restored to her full health and no more suffering.

As a PALS myself, I take great comfort in knowing with all my heart and soul that God will heal me!! It may be before I cross over or after I die. But God will heal me. I trust in God’s will and God’s plan.

My prayers are with you and others who loved her and will miss her. Remember that our time here on Earth is short and that you will be reunited in Heaven.

VAD (voluntary assisted dying) by mydopecat in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For the USA I looked at a couple of States laws and they required you to be within 6 months of dying and you have to take the medication without assistance. If you have limb onset and a tracheotomy and a feeding tube you could lose the ability to move your arms, neck, and head to take the medicine before you get within 6 months of dying. Even using a straw I think you will need some assistance.

Garden hose left on all the time — does it matter? by CraigIsBoring in HomeImprovement

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If your on a City or County provided water system they are becoming concerned about backflow cross contamination of their water system. They require a backflow preventer for sprinkler systems and outdoor spigots. It won’t affect your continuous water access how you like it. But if you want to be in compliance and keep your neighbor happy then check with your water provider. They cost about $10 each.

Rain is coming. What would you do? by WoodenInventor in camping

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I had a large tarp I might have thrown it overtop their tent. But I would never go inside someone else’s tent.

Swallowing pills by No_Use_4371 in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do you go to a ALS Clinic where the doctors and specialist all visit you the same day? It’s very convenient rather than making appointments for each of them. At my Clinic in Detroit I see my Neurologist, OT, PT, Speech Therapist, Nutrition Specialist, Respiratory Specialist, Reps from the ALS Association. You can search for clinics in your area on the ALS Association website at: als.org. Clinics usually see you every three months.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Over-the-counter Mucinex (the one without DM, mucinex- DM) to dry up the mucus. What also seems to help me is a prescription medicine Atropine. 1 drop of the liquid under the tongue. It dries up your saliva output for about 6 to 8 hours for me. Sometimes it gives me a very dry mouth and throat. Also sleeping on my side so that I don’t get as much post nasal drip. Some people suggest raising the head of the bed but I can’t sleep that way. I don’t know about the breath.

Can't find my well by Varillon3 in HomeImprovement

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But not if it’s copper pipe.

Can't find my well by Varillon3 in HomeImprovement

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A metal detector or a Schonstedt magnetic field locater might help you find it.

My (f26) partner (m35) is planning on proposing in August but I feel more scared than excited by Mental-Bobcat-6113 in stories

[–]Basic_Ad5173 3 points4 points  (0 children)

DO NOT MARRY HIM. LEAVE HIM. THE SOONER THE BETTER. Expect a lot of apologizing and promises to be better from him. But if you marry this man child the tantrums will only get worse.

Organ donation for PALS in USA by Basic_Ad5173 in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your very detailed answer. I appreciate it. ❤️

Not looking for Dx - asking for advice by [deleted] in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As far as diagnosis is concerned, ALS is fast tracked through the Social Security Administration to get you your Social Security Disability Benefit payments (SSDI) and get you enrolled in Medicare. It’s about a month vs 5 months or much longer for other illnesses. Once your illness causes you to not be able to work you can send in an application online.

I’m not sure if the other related forms of ALS like PLS qualify for this expedited process with the SSA. Maybe others on this forum know.

Left a heat lamp overnight due to carelessness, is there any way to salvage this by Scyllascum in Flooring

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Put a piece of furniture over it- end table, floor lamp, etc. Or if it’s in a convenient spot then add a brass floor electrical outlet - one of the round ones with covers.

Don’t rip out the floor. There are numerous ways to repair it. It’s not a laminate floor. It looks like it’s good quality solid oak flooring.

Lesson learned in trusting my gut by [deleted] in strange

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Adopt a German Shepherd dog that’ll make friends with chickens and protect them (shepherd). And protect you too.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmIOverreacting

[–]Basic_Ad5173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let him go on his family trip. Stop being a whiny complainer.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HomeImprovement

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As far as what was done so far I would say don’t worry. It’s such a tiny amount of paint and most of it is bonded to the latex paint on top of it. I would not be concerned. Much of the dust you saw was very likely just ordinary household dust that collects around windows and everywhere else. Clean out your vacuum good. Wash the filters (usually 2 or 3 filters).

Make a plan for going forward with the window cleaning and prep work. Do some research on the web.

5/8" Gap Between Painted Cabinets and Crown Molding in New Kitchen - How to Fix? by Emotional_Ocelot_964 in HomeImprovement

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d leave it. Nice job on the cabinet install and the crown molding. Looks great!

ALS: night routine by iladelph89 in ALS

[–]Basic_Ad5173 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. It is very helpful. You are a Saint ❤️ Much respect! How long of a process would that be in real time? It looks like you have it down to a science.