New Name, New Look
I think the new name and look are great. Your magazine has helped me in so many ways, especially as it relates to my son's epilepsy and my own health conditions, including nerve pain and migraine. My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2017. Soon afterwards the doctors discovered a very aggressive form of neuroendocrine cancer. He died on April 2, 2017. Your magazine has been a wonderful source of information and support. I always look forward to reading it and would like to thank you for all the important information and inspiring stories. - Rose Bernstein, Lititz, PA
Congratulations on the new name. As for the Sharon Stone feature ("Head Strong," April/May 2018), I have heard many survivors say something similar about the stroke being a blessing or the "best thing that ever happened to me." - Ron Rakijian, Irvine, CA
I think the new title of your magazine is great! It conveys exactly what your articles consist of. Thank you. I also would like to make a suggestion for future articles: I have a vestibular disorder and would like to read about various types of vestibular disorders, diagnoses, and treatments. I belong to a vestibular disorders support group with approximately 7,500 members worldwide. I would certainly suggest to our members that they read about vestibular disorders in Brain & Life should you decide to do an article about them. - Sheldon Sugar, Coconut Creek, FL
Congratulations on the new magazine title. Refreshing, timely, and welcomed. Thank you for continuing to make a difference. - Ron C. Peck, Seattle, WA
Brilliant new magazine title. Kudos to the branding team. I was a caregiver for two deceased family members with neurologic disorders and now my mom is in hospice care, with an amazing mind but a failing body. I'm learning how to cope—day by day, moment to moment. - Bonnie Hayflick, St. Augustine, FL
I've been reading Neurology Now for approximately 10 years. The new makeover and upgrade to Brain & Life is a very appealing change. I enjoyed reading the cover story on Sharon Stone. All of the articles were relevant, interesting, and contained valuable information.
- Terry D. Roman, Retired Nurse, Monessen, PA
I am sorry to say that I do not like the new title of your magazine. I feel it leaves out many neurologic disorders that do not affect the brain. For instance, I have myasthenia gravis, which affects the neuromuscular junction. When I saw the new title, I felt disenfranchised. I know you include other neurologic disorders in the subtitle of the magazine—Neurology for Everyday Living—but the main title emphasizes disorders of the brain and how to deal with them in life. I still really enjoy the magazine, no matter what it's called. - Cathy Phillips, Charlotte, NC
I do not like the new name. I think it's somewhat misleading, confusing, and uninspiring. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. On another note, please address essential tremor, a much-overlooked diagnosis. - Robin Caron, Hamden, CT
Thanks for the GBS Coverage
I just received my copy of the newly renamed Neurology Now magazine. It was so nice to see an article about Guillain-Barre syndrome, or GBS ("Under Attack," April/May 2018). I have looked forward to receiving your magazine each month for more than five years now. This is the first article on GBS I've seen in your magazine and I truly hope you have more articles about it, especially about those who have had a recurrence of the syndrome.- Jayne Gladden, Casa Grande, AZ
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: For more articles about Guillain-Barre syndrome, please visit BrainLifeMag.org/GBS.
Botox for Spasmodic Dysphonia
I received Brain & Life magazine yesterday, and loved it! I read it from cover to cover and enjoyed every article. I have a voice disorder called spasmodic dysphonia and was disappointed that the article on botulinum toxin type A ("Taming a Toxin," April/May 2018) did not mention giving injections for it. Most of the members of my support group take Botox injections. Since this disorder is rare and difficult to diagnose, mentioning it may help those who don't know what is wrong with their voice. I would love to see an article on dysphonia in your informative magazine. - Lynda Munn, Charlotte, NC
I appreciated the article on botulinum toxin type A, but I was disappointed that it didn't include spasmodic dysphonia. I have been receiving injections of botulinum toxin type A for more than 17 years from my laryngologist. Many of us living with various types of dysphonia depend on Botox injections to provide some relief for our constrained and impaired voices. I know that treating this rare voice condition with Botox is considered off-label by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it has been used for that purpose since 1984.
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for noting that botulinum toxin injections are used to treat spasmodic dysphonia. In our article, we focused on FDA-approved uses of the toxin. For more information about spasmodic dysphonia, including a profile of Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, who had the disorder, visit BrainLifeMag.org/Adams. - Charlie Reavis, Alpharetta, GA
Narrow View of Neuropathy
The article on neuropathy ("Walk Away from Nerve Pain," April/May 2018) was well written, but it did not cover all the neurologic conditions that cause neuropathy. I have neuropathy in my toes from multiple mini-episodes of mild frostbite from working outside in winter all my life. Subsequently, I am not able to walk great distances, and driving is tricky because I can't press on the pedals without experiencing extreme pain. - Paul Maziarz, Auburn, IN
I have had epilepsy since I was 3 and have developed neuropathy in my hands and feet due to taking phenytoin (Dilantin) for too many years. I was surprised that the article failed to mention other conditions that cause neuropathy. I enjoyed the article very much; I just would have liked to see some data that included all neurologic conditions. - Judy E. Huemiller, Ogden, UT
I was somewhat disappointed in the neuropathy article, even though it was excellent, because it didn't mention that you can have it from other diseases. Mine is from Parkinson's. I suspect, however, that the treatment is the same. Exercise is vital. I'm 87, and I walk a lot, take exercise classes, and stretch. I also just set up my road bike indoors as an exercise bike. When I sit for long periods of time—watching TV or reading—I do leg exercises in my chair and frequently get up and walk around. - Ruth Merriman, Aiken, SC
I read each and every page of your magazine and enjoy all of them very much. I was particularly thrilled to see the story about neuropathy, which I have. So very interesting and informative. I am proud of what you folks have produced and encourage more of it. I also have blepharospasm [abnormal fluctuations of the eyelid muscle], so the article on botulinum toxin A was informative, too. - Loretta Pearson, Seattle, WA
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letters and interest in neuropathy. In this article, we chose to focus on diabetic neuropathy. We will address other causes of neuropathy and its treatment in future issues.
Communication Is Critical
I am the caregiver for my husband, who has primary progressive aphasia. I so wish there was some communication between us. I want to suggest to anyone who deals with this disorder to talk to the patient's doctor about finding some way for patients and caregivers to communicate. Your article about caregiving ("In the Balance," April/May 2018) says communication between caregiver and patient is essential. Don't wait until touch is the only communication the patient understands. - Jodi Delapp, Eugene, OR
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letter. For more about primary progressive aphasia, please visit BrainLifeMag.org/Williams.
Indispensable Resource
The February/March 2018 issue was filled with interesting, encouraging, and helpful information. I learned so much about different health conditions. The article about conditions that require immediate attention ("Act Fast," February/March 2018) was extremely interesting and is now tacked up on my refrigerator. The inspiring profile of Dr. Q ("Marvel Medic," February/March 2018) and his perseverance and determination as a young boy should be shared with students. I was also captivated by the cover feature on Soledad O'Brien ("Listening In," February/March 2018), and plan to share the article with the parents of young children to keep them hopeful. Thank you again for a wonderful issue. - Glenda F. Pryor-Johnson, Memphis, TN
Stroke Story
I read with interest your article about Sharon Stone’s experience of stroke (“Head Strong,” April/May 2018, BrainLifeMag.org/Stone). I too, had a stroke in 2001. But I had an advantage. I was an occupational therapist in a community hospital and when I experienced a blinding headache, the psychiatrist and program nurse sent me to the hospital emergency department, where a CT scan revealed a hemorrhage in the cerebellum. From there, I was transported to the nearest trauma center, where the chief of neurosurgery operated to stem the flow of blood.
I knew from my training that rehabilitation was essential to my recovery. I completed my acute rehabilitation in December 2001 and continued therapy at a local skilled nursing facility. Because of the location of the lesion in my brain, I still have problems with balance and muscle coordination. For the most part, I use a wheelchair. But 17 years later, I feel fortunate to be alive. At the time of my stroke, the prognosis for survival was four days. — Mary Lynne Murray, Fall River, MA
More Dementia Information
My wife has had posterior cortical atrophy [a form of dementia] for 13 years. I have never seen any articles or information on this disease in your magazine. I would appreciate reading something about this. — Peter Stonitsch, Harrington Park, NJ
Your articles are always so informative and enlightening. I would like to see an in-depth article on Lewy body dementia. My mother had this terrible disease. During her illness, I began to realize that very few physicians know about it, including how to diagnose or treat it. My mom died in 2015, but I’m still interested in reading about it. — Susan McCorkle, Rocky Face, GA
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letters requesting more coverage of dementia. We have covered dementia in the past and will continue to write about it in future issues. In the meantime, please visit BrainLifeMag.org/WalterMondale for a story on Lewy body dementia. Also, please visit our archives on the condition at BrainLifeMag.org/DementiaCollection.
