April 2011 - The ALS Association Greater Sacramento

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Lend a hand Page 4 VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Office Help: If you have office and/or computer experience and would like to volunteer at our Chapter office, please contact Amy Sugimoto at the Chapter. Duties include: data entry, answering phones and photocopying. Driver: If you live in the Northern California area and would like to pick up or drop off loaned medical equipment to our PALS, we are looking for help three to four days per month. Loan Closet Coordinator: call for details. Special Events: We need volunteers to help with event set up, clean up, silent auctions, guest services, and registration. Thank you to our current leadership for your VISION, VOLUNTEERISM, COM- PASSION AND SPIRIT in serving those impacted by ALS. Our Leadership Team for 2011 Scott Ehlen, President, American Greetings Rich Kline, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Cherie Felsch, Secretary, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Dianne Jared, Sacramento Theatre and Lighting Linda Hays, Sierra Property Management Steve Pereira, ADL Sandie Ferguson, Neurology / Sutter Neuroscience Institute Dr. Bjorn Oskarsson, UC Davis Department of Neurology Amy Sugimoto, Executive Director Staff: Nancy Wakefield, Patient Service Coordinator Caryn Cochran Branson, Patient Service Coordinator Alycia Cahill, Office Administrator Leslee DeFazio, Special Events Coordinator The Walk Kick Off is Friday, July 1st at Raley Field—Team Captains are eligible for two tickets to the game, a catered dinner in the Jackson Rancheria area and a wonderful display of fireworks! Make sure to register early to get a spot! You can register at http:/web.alsa.org/greatersacwalk. Thank you to the following 3 teams for your early registration: Marlene’s Mob ♥ Cross/ Novo/ Moreno In Memory of Kathleen Your commitment to The Walk to Defeat ALS, Greater Sacramento Chapter allows us to serve PALS and CALS with support services throughout the following counties: Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, Amador, Alpine, Modoc, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Butte, Glenn, Sierra, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Siskiyou, Nevada, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mono.
Ask the Doc Q & A with Edward Kasarskis, MD, PhD Page 5 Edward Kasarskis, M.D., Ph.D. is Director of the multidisciplinary ALS Center at the University of Kentucky Neuroscience Center in Lexington, Kentucky, professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kentucky, and Chief of Neurology at the VA Medical Center in Lexington KY. Q: I find that I sometimes overreact to something I hear, read, or see on TV. Occasionally I start crying; other times I seem to laugh uncontrollably. Is this something other people with ALS experience, or might I have another medical problem? Is there anything I can do about this? A: It’s perfectly normal to experience happy or sad feelings when you have ALS, of course. But if you find yourself laughing or crying excessively, or if your family or friends feel you are over-reacting to Dr. Kasarskis situations with more emotion than you typically did, that could suggest a problem. It’s not uncommon for people with ALS to have what is called “pseudo bulbar affect” (PBA), which is the proper medical term for this set of symptoms. PBA can occur in people with many different neurologic conditions and is recognized by involuntary, sudden, and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying far in excess of situation which may have provoked it. The outbursts can cause embarrassment and anxiety, particularly when you’re with others. People with PBA may find it difficult to hold down a job or interact in social situations, and may isolate themselves as a result. One ALS patient of mine with PBA found that he couldn't discipline his child because he burst out laughing at his son's mischievous antics. It’s common for people with PBA to wonder how the problem can possibly be related to ALS, but it is. The PBA appearances are nothing more than exaggerated reflexes, and are yet another hyperactive reflex that reflects the "Upper Motor Neuron" involvement in ALS. Not surprisingly, people with other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurologic problems can also exhibit PBA. For years, people with PBA have been treated with a variety of anti-depressants, with only limited success. There is, however, a new drug, just approved by the FDA, called Nuedextra® -- a fixed dose combination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine (not quinine) sulfate -- that is effective in reducing PBA symptoms. (In the spirit of full disclosure, the University of Kentucky participated in the evaluation of the drug as a clinical trial study site, but there is no other potential conflict of interest). Neudextra may be a useful medication for people who find their episodes of laughing or crying interfering with their activities of daily living and quality of life. I suggest you discuss your own personal situation with your physician. He or she will help you decide whether your symptoms are significant enough to warrant taking the medication (which is given twice a day), and if the potential benefits make the drug worthwhile for you. If you would like to submit questions for a future Q & A, please send your questions to Amber Walters at awalters@alsa-national.org. The future is in your hands. Dream with us. Few of us will actually change the course of history or write the great American novel. But a legacy gift to The ALS Association, through your will or living trust, can help ensure that our shared dream of a world without ALS becomes a reality. Help us keep hope alive for those battling ALS by supporting our work to eradicate this devastating disease. Please contact The Greater Sacramento Chapter for more information.
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April 2011 - The ALS Association Greater Sacramento

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