No Secrets
Thank you so much for this month's article about Jamie-Lynn Sigler's struggle with secrecy and multiple sclerosis (MS) ("Revelations," February/March 2017). Thanks also for including sufficient detail about her symptoms as well as strategies for maintaining a good quality of life. I was diagnosed in 2000 after a similar unexpected onset of numbness, tingling, and spasms. Just this month I'm seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist because of eye difficulties, so this article really resonated with me. I, too, have struggled with how to tell people about it. Many people assume that because I can walk I must not have anything wrong with me. Even my husband of 10 years, bless his heart, doesn't really grasp what is wrong with me. Sometimes I end up pushing myself for others when I wouldn't if it was just me. Your article has given me a clean, concise tool to show people, to help them grasp how life is for me! Thank you so much, and for all the excellent articles you have published over the years! - Deborah Ridge, Afton, Wyoming
Medication Matters
Thank you for your article about why patients don't take medications as prescribed ("Medication Management," February/March 2017). I have seen bad things happen when folks don't practice responsible self-care. Patients give themselves a gift with each proactive action, whatever that might be. - Ellen Maggs, Phoenix, AZ
As I listen to others who do not comply with their doctor's directions about their prescriptions, I think to myself, "Who can afford to do that?" It's not just the cost. How can you stay off your feet for so many days, invest in medical equipment, or rest? Think of the grandma babysitting her daughter's kids while the daughter works for minimum wage. If doctors, nurse practitioners, and other health care staff took the time to ask if a medication regimen is realistic, perhaps there'd be fewer noncompliant patients. It's in the doctors' and hospitals' best interests to find out the barriers to noncompliance from the patients. - Vickie Rogers, Otisfield, ME
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your comments regarding medication compliance. In this and future issues, look for regular coverage of financial tips and resources to help manage the costs of living with a chronic neurologic condition.
Comprehensive Coverage
I have multiple system atrophy (MSA), and in 2008 I was diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction and later that year with Parkinson's disease. I know that Neurology Now covers multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease quite a bit, and I thank you for that, but I wonder if you could write something about MSA. A lot of people have never heard of it, but for me, it affects my life more than the other two conditions. - Betty Martin, Lyles, TN
I would appreciate it if you would include an article about sensory processing disorder. I'm particularly interested in whether it is on the autism spectrum or if it's a separate, distinct disorder. I understand that it's not infrequent for parents to experience difficulties receiving special education services for children with mild autism, and am concerned that children who have sensory processing disorder may face the same problems. - Brenda K. Henderson, Terre Haute, IN
My 11-year-old grandson has been experiencing tics since he was 3 or 4 years old. His parents have sought medical attention and his doctors have diagnosed him with Tourette syndrome. I have received three or four issues of Neurology Now and with each issue I look for an article discussing Tourette syndrome and have not seen one. I would appreciate an article on this condition in your magazine with a discussion of the medications and treatments. - Caroljean Newell, Mapleton, MN
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letters and requests to cover more diseases. We try to cover a variety of diseases and will continue to do so. For now, please visit BrainandLife.org and type in the name of the disease in the search bar to find past articles on your particular condition.
