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• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Penny - Interview 11 >> At work she began finding it hard to lift heavy files onto a shelf. Her hands used to shake, and she developed coughing fits.

Penny was diagnosed three years ago (2003) with ALS, after having arm weakness, pains and coughing fits for three years. The condition has progressed quite slowly so far.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Michael - Interview 29 >> He noticed his right arm was weaker than his left arm when lifting weights one day. Gradually he found it hard to lift his arm. His GP thought it migh

Michael was diagnosed less than a year ago in 2006 after noticing weakness in his right arm. His arm weakness remains his main symptom, and it has got worse. Currently he is on sick leave from work.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Mary - Interview 04 >> Her husband thought the aching in his legs was because he wasn't used to doing physical work. She noticed changes in his memory and emotional reaction

Mary is the wife of man diagnosed with MND a year before interview (2003). (Couple also interviewed together - see Jack's story MND03).

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PLS (primary lateral sclerosis) >> 'Speedy' - Interview 19 >> She had foot drop and aching leg muscles at first. Later, she began having balance problems and noticed rapid muscle contractions, especially when dri

'Speedy' was diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) nearly 2 years ago (in 2005) after 2 years of increasing leg weakness. She now uses a wheelchair and a hand-operated car.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Pauline - Interview 30 >> Her neurophysiotherapist recommended toe stretches to stop her toes curling over. A chiropodist friend told her pads under her toes would help.

Pauline was diagnosed with PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) about 2 years ago (2005), after several years of leg weakness. She cannot walk far and uses a wheelchair, but is still able to work full-time.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Cordelia - Interview 13 >> She has lost stamina and now gets very tired. After a lot of activity she tends to get muscle pain.

Cordelia was diagnosed a year ago (2005) with MND after investigations for other conditions including spinal muscular atrophy. She now has considerable muscle weakness.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Stuart - Interview 05 >> He thinks it's important for people to know MND is not painful. All he gets is the odd muscle cramp.

Stuart first noticed symptoms (legs shaking) almost 20 years ago. MND diagnosed 9 years ago (1997), after years of tests and investigations. Now uses a wheelchair.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Peter - Interview 38 >> He doesn't get too tired unless it's a very busy day, but he gets uncomfortable sitting in a wheelchair for too long. Lying in bed helps ease the disc

Peter was diagnosed three years ago (2004). Symptoms started in his arms and hands, and progressed to his legs. He now uses a wheelchair full-time.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Roger & Luise - Interview 45 >> His wife got very tired but found it difficult to get comfortable in bed. Using different mattresses and cushions made little difference.

Roger's wife Luise was diagnosed in 2004 aged 59, after a year of weakness in her fingers and leg. Roger and his sons cared for Luise at home until her death in 2006.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Liz - Interview 39 >> Pressure on her heels was uncomfortable at night, but a ROHO cushioned insert helped a lot. Getting a good night's sleep helps her cope better in the

Liz was diagnosed with inherited form of MND in 2004. (Her father and uncle both had MND). Weakness in her legs progressed to her arms; she is now in a wheelchair. Her speech is unaffected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Penny - Interview 11 >> The MND specialist clinic feels well coordinated but not some other aspects of care. She'd like a one-stop point of contact.

Penny was diagnosed three years ago (2003) with ALS, after having arm weakness, pains and coughing fits for three years. The condition has progressed quite slowly so far.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Cordelia - Interview 13 >> At 76, she can look back at a wonderful life, and she feels lucky she has no pain. She thinks acceptance is better than denial.

Cordelia was diagnosed a year ago (2005) with MND after investigations for other conditions including spinal muscular atrophy. She now has considerable muscle weakness.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Maryse - Interview 06 >> She knows she's dying and so do her friends. It's frightening, but everyone has to die and she's lucky she has no pain.

Maryse was diagnosed March 2005. She was told she had 2-3 years to live. Within months she could no longer live independently and moved into a nursing home. Her speech deteriorated rapidly.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Una & Bill - Interview 49 >> Compared to other illness it's a relief to have some certainty and not be on a roller coaster of hope and disappointment. There's no pain and no aggre

Una's husband Bill first noticed symptoms at the end of 2005 and was diagnosed aged 63. A ventilator greatly improved his energy levels for nearly a year. He had a PEG fitted but does not yet use it for feeding.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Derek - Interview 27 >> He personally would never consider assisted dying, both for his own sake and his wife's, but he believes other people should have the choice if they w

Derek was diagnosed 5-6 years ago (2001 or 2002). His arms and legs are affected but he is still able to walk unaided round the house. Finds his memory for words is being affected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Kim - Interview 10 >> She would have liked physiotherapy as soon as she was diagnosed, to stop her leg muscles getting so tight, but she knows it cannot slow progression.

Kim was diagnosed with MND (ALS) about a year ago (2005). Now unable to walk she needs help with most daily tasks, but is still working as an occupational therapist and able to drive. Her speech is not affected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Ken - Interview 34 >> They were surprised he was discharged so soon after the PEG procedure. No-one showed them what to do. He was in a lot of pain and could not swallow pa

Ken was diagnosed with rare inherited (familial) form of MND less than a year ago (2006). He has limited arm and leg movement, has a PEG and uses a Lightwriter to speak, but carried on working until a month ago. Interviewed through his wife Chris.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Bulbar onset >> Sue - Interview 31 >> She couldn't tell staff how much pain she was in after the RIG procedure. She could still eat but no-one asked her if she would like any food. Recover

Sue was diagnosed with bulbar onset motor neurone disease less than a year ago (2006). She is now unable to speak and uses a laptop with voice software. Her arms and legs are still relatively strong.

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• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Tiredness, pain and discomfort >> Tiredness, pain and discomfort

Tiredness, pain and discomfort

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Bulbar onset >> Sue - Interview 31 >> She couldn't tell staff how much pain she was in after the RIG procedure. She could still eat but no-one asked her if she would like any food. Recover

Sue was diagnosed with bulbar onset motor neurone disease less than a year ago (2006). She is now unable to speak and uses a laptop with voice software. Her arms and legs are still relatively strong.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Ken - Interview 34 >> They were surprised he was discharged so soon after the PEG procedure. No-one showed them what to do. He was in a lot of pain and could not swallow pa

Ken was diagnosed with rare inherited (familial) form of MND less than a year ago (2006). He has limited arm and leg movement, has a PEG and uses a Lightwriter to speak, but carried on working until a month ago. Interviewed through his wife Chris.