MND/ALS was recognised more than 130 years ago and although there are plenty of theories no one has yet discovered what causes the disease, it is not however suspected as being lifestyle related.
Recent advances in technology combined with the more modern methods in which science is being managed and funded, has greatly improved the chances of finding a treatment in the not too distant future, hopefully within my lifetime.

As one sufferer put it,

"With a clear mind and open eyes, we must sit back and watch ourselves die".

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS MND/ALS? Motor Neurone Disease, is a fatal, incurable neuromuscular illness.
WHAT DOES "AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS" MEAN? The words come from the Greek; and describe the muscle-wasting, and scarring of the spinal cord.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MND/ALS? Weakening and wasting of muscles caused by disease destroying the motor neurons that drive them.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY? Generally two to five years from diagnosis but with some sufferers surviving well beyond that.
HOW COMMON IS MND/ALS? About 7 in 100,000 population will have ALS/MND at any given time.(In Australia that would be about 1400)
HOW IS MND/ALS DIAGNOSED? No definitive diagnosis: patients fitting a profile are tested to eliminate other possibilities.
WHO IS LIABLE TO GET MND/ALS? Anyone, but mainly over 40's
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MND/ALS? Yes: Guamanian, a localized form Familial, an inherited (relatively low incidence) form Sporadic, covers all the rest.
WHEN WAS MND FIRST DISCOVERED? In 1869.
WHAT CAUSES MND/ALS? Lots of theories but as yet no one knows.
CAN YOU "CATCH" MND/ALS? No and it is not lifestyle related.
WHAT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES? Possibly (probably?)
IS THERE HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH MND/ALS? Yes. Recent work has produced drugs which seem to slow the progression and stemcell reseach has good potential also.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Volunteer your services. Spread the word. Give money, for patient support and for research, it all helps.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE? On-line; there are hundreds of sites, from MND/ALS societies and support groups all over the world, below are just a few to get you started.

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

Alexis and me April 2005 No arm or leg movement these days but hey, I've outlasted the Pope.

So I started taking LDN in April 2004 and have been quite excited with the results I have been getting. For example my neck muscles feel stronger and my swallowing has improved. Also too a number of people whom are not aware that I take LDN have commented on how much better I am looking. Other members of OZPALS on LDN have reported similar accounts. I am not for one minute suggesting that LDN is a cure for MND or even qualifying it as a treatment but I certainly think that it is something for anyone with MND to seriously consider. LDN has very little in the way of side-effects and it costs me less than a dollar a day. The only regret I have is not knowing of it and being able to start on it much sooner. If this is of interest to you then visit these web-sites for further information, print them out and take them to your doctor.

www.ldninfo.org

www.lowdosenaltrexone.org

Links to some MND sites

My good internet friend Terry Frank and the lateKyle Hahn in the good ole' USA have developed an excellent site called March of Faces, this dedicated site is very inspiring, chock full of very useful information and well worth a visit.

Make sure you get your face on the M.O.F. Banner too, it is absolutely awesome!!!

ALS March of Faces

For more information for People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (PALS) there friends and carers, try these sites.

Entertainer, Jerry Lewis'. Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The very informative, ALSA of the USA
and the ALS Society of Canada

Our own national association
MND Australia with links to each state and New Zealand.