Understanding ALS: Symptoms, Treatments, and Supportive Care

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Be Careful With Threonine
Posted by Chris (Pueblo, Co) on 06/11/2012
★★★★★

An update on my friend who stopped Threonine due to a dramatic reduction in breathing capacity. Within 48 hours of stopping the Threonine, her breathing capacity has improved. She said this morning that she is feeling about 90% recovered to the state she was at before starting the Lysine/Threonine. The annoying mucous production has also subsided and she is feeling comfortable.

She has a relative that is a massage therapist and has been using clove oil, as suggested, in working it into the back of her neck and spine. It is helping her be a lot more comfortable, whether its the massage, the oil or both, we don't know, but she has been free of the cramping, spasms and pain she previously struggled with.


Be Careful With Threonine
Posted by Chris (Pueblo, Co) on 06/09/2012
★★★★★

WARNING!

I have been helping a friend with ALS/Lou Gehrig's through the treatment recommended starting with the Lysine and Threonine as foundation. The Threonine dramatically increased mucous production in my friend and her breathing, which was strong before, had suddenly become labored. I did some more research on the Threonine and discovered on the WebMD site's description of Threonine side effects stating:

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease): There is some concern that threonine might decrease lung function in patients with ALS. In one study, ALS patients taking 4 grams of threonine per day had significantly reduced lung function compared to patients who did not receive threonine..."

And this is exactly what we saw. With all the symptoms of ALS she showed, the reduced lung function has not yet been one of them. But the introduction of Threonine directly coincided with a dramatic effect on her breathing. She said it felt like an elephant sitting on her chest.

On the positive, she previously had a clenched feeling in her throat that was pinching and really wearing her down. Since taking the Threonine, this has noticably relaxed and made it much easier to bear. But the thick mucous increase and belabored breathing is a bit scary, especially since many ALS sufferers die from this aspect. We are stopping the Threonine in hopes that her breathing will return to normal. If it doesn't I may counteract it with arginine, but I know this supports the possible viral function that we are attacking with Lysine. So I want to be careful and take it one day at a time.

I just felt it important to share this experience in case it is of help to anyone else out there.



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