Reply #5: I have Lou Gehrig's disease... [View All]

It's been about 3 1/2 years since onset. A definitive diagnosis of ALS is difficult, but can be reached and is done by a process of elimination. There are a series of tests that are done, such as EMG, NCV, MRI, reflex tests, blood, urine and Lyme disease.

I cannot overstate how irresponsible it is to give a diagnosis of ALS without having conducted, at a minimum, these tests first. Even a marginally competent neurologist would not mention the word ALS until all tests are in because of the trauma in giving a diagnosis to a terminal, invariably fatal illness.

http://www.als-ny.org/ has information that might be helpful.

My best wishes to your uncle, and to your family.