Stellar Stahl

Thank you for the great article on Lesley Stahl and her husband ("Partners Against Parkinson's," August/September 2018)! My husband also has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. We live in St. Paul, MN, and are excited about the research of William Frey, II, PhD [professor of pharmaceutics and faculty member in neurology, oral biology, and neuroscience at the University of Minnesota], who has done some promising work with rats on the potential of delivering medication intranasally for Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders. - Sally Kupferschmidt, St. Paul, MN

It is inspiring to have such an articulate voice as Lesley Stahl's address the difficult conversations that families must have when a loved one is diagnosed with a complex neurologic illness. - P. Edwards Conrad, MD, Valdosta, GA

I saw Lesley Stahl's show about Rock Steady Boxing on CBS Sunday Morning back in 2015 and immediately began looking for a class nearby. At the time, the closest classes were in New York City and Philadelphia. Luckily, my local YMCA began a program in the fall of that year, and my husband has been able to take advantage of it. Our YMCA also has water classes for Parkinson's. I urge others with the disease to look into these programs. Thank you to Lesley Stahl for educating us about this. - John And Mindy Turner, Randolph, NJ

I was delighted to hear that an investigative reporter of Lesley Stahl's caliber benefits from chatting with other caregivers. I quote a colleague who says, "Doctors can diagnose your condition and prescribe medication to ease Parkinson's symptoms, but support groups tell you how to live with it." - Ann Perkins, Virginia Beach, VA

Pain Feedback

Your article on pain ("Tuning Out Pain," August/September 2018) makes pain management sound so easy. Medication can make pain worse and cause other problems, and mind-body activities are harder than you think if you deal with chronic, nagging pain. It's great that you are trying to help people, but I honestly felt the suggestions-such as taking pills, which can be addictive and have side effects-were not the best or very practical. - Amy K. Penszynski, San Diego, CA

THE EDITOR RESPONDS: We understand your concerns. Our pain management experts tell us that what works for some people doesn't always work for others. We encourage readers to collaborate with their doctors to find the treatment or combination of treatments that works best.

Immunotherapy Saved My Life

Thank you for the article on immunotherapy ("Targeting Immunity," August/September 2018), especially the section on myasthenia gravis (MG). I have IVIG therapy every 21 days for two consecutive days, and it is the ideal treatment for me. I had my thymus gland removed when I was 15, two years after I was diagnosed with MG. Since then I have tried various drugs with limited success. It wasn't until I began IVIG that I could function without deteriorating. My diaphragm and esophagus and all voluntary muscles have improved. Each patient is unique, and we respond to treatment differently. - Maryam Salamah, Monterey County, CA

In Sync with Synesthesia

I just finished reading the article on synesthesia ("Colors of the Mind," August/September 2018). I have the odd quirk of seeing every musical note as a shape. I always thought everyone who hears music sees shapes in her head. I found out otherwise when people looked at me as though I were peculiar. I am so grateful for Brain & Life. - Marilyn Dejong, Grand Rapids, MI

The article about synesthesia reminded me of Glenn O'Malley, a professor I had in graduate school who had written a book on the same subject called Shelley and Synesthesia (Northwestern University Press, 1964) [about descriptions of synesthesia in poet Percy Shelley's work]. - Bob Mccarthy, Fort Myers, FL

Meditation for Epilepsy

I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 11. I am now 62. Over the years, I have used meditation to manage my seizures. As soon as I experience an aura, I sit on the sofa or a chair and meditate for 10 to 20 minutes. It prevents a seizure about 90 percent of the time. - Sarah Knapp, Coram, NY

Lumbar Leaks

I enjoyed reading about lumbar puncture headaches ("Ask Your Neurologist," August/September 2018), but many of us experience cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks unrelated to lumbar punctures. I had a 5 mm anterior tear in my spine. As with lumbar puncture headaches, the pain increased when I stood up and decreased when I lay down. My tear has been treated with fibrin glue blood patches and surgery. I hope you can do an article on this condition. - Brandy Sweisberger, Lancaster, SC

Dental Care Tips

Thank you so much for your recent article on dental care for a neurologic condition (“Dental Visits Made Easier,” August/September 2018). I have stiff person syndrome, a rare neuroimmunologic condition in which various sensory inputs cause involuntary movements. Having a dentist use a loud drill and shine bright lights in my eyes makes for an impossible situation. I’ve been putting off treatment for a tooth because I will have to be sedated. I am terrified the sedation won’t be sufficient and I’ll have involuntary movements while the drill is in my mouth. The article, which I shared with my support group, offered helpful tips I hadn’t been aware of. Thank you again for this important and informative article on an under-covered topic! —Elizabeth Snow, Denver, CO

Only-Child Caregivers

I love the magazine’s new look. The two articles in the June/July 2018 issue about caregiving (“It Takes a Village,” and “Share the Care”) were great, and I enjoyed them both. But more articles are needed to help those of us who are only children. I feel as though I am sinking and have no one and nowhere to turn. Please remember us. —Suzie Thead, Sevierville, TN

THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for pointing out the unique challenges of only children caring for aging parents. We may explore this topic in an upcoming issue. In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out to caregiver organizations, including the Caregiver Action Network, the Family Caregiver Alliance, and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

Putting Up with Pain

Thank you so much for educating and informing readers about chronic pain, migraine, fibromyalgia, and other illnesses. I experience chronic pain, especially at night. Sometimes it’s so intense it wakes me up. During the day, if I exercise or garden or work at home, I can ignore it, although it eventually wears me out. I also deal with it by meditating and counting my blessings. I refuse to let negative thoughts in because they change everything. —Anna Purdy, San Diego, CA

Put a Sock on It

After several years of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, I began to experience neuropathy in my feet, especially after going to bed. After a while, I realized that when I got up and walked, I didn’t notice the pain as much. As soon as I laid back down, however, it would return with a vengeance. Recently, I overheard someone say that you can’t concentrate on two pains at once. As I thought about it, it occurred to me that I could concentrate on two pains at once because both feet hurt the same. One night I put a sock on one foot. The pain from both feet was still there, but it didn’t feel as intense. Instead of tossing and turning for hours, I was able to fall asleep soundly that night. Now, whenever I forget to put a sock on one foot, my pain quickly reminds me to do so. As soon as I put on the sock, I am able to sleep. —Shirley Finn, Clarkston, WA

More on Neuropathy

Your magazine has provided much information about the subject of neuropathy, but it seems one item is still missing—acceptance. My wife has had peripheral neuropathy for more than 20 years. She is not diabetic but has had five back surgeries, which may have been the cause. We have been everywhere seeking a cure. We have even tried things we knew were quackery. Finally, one neurologist and our internist told us there is no cure. It would be nice if a journal such as yours would have the fortitude to tell the world no cure exists. It would put these quacks out of business and would support the true medical research on the subject. —Harvey Weiss, Wimauma, FL

THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letter. We recognize that some of the conditions we feature do not yet have cures. We hope that sharing the stories of people who find ways to manage their conditions with medication and lifestyle modifications is helpful.

Pain in the Jaw

I am an avid reader of your magazine. I would love to see an article on trigeminal neuralgia. I was in agony for seven weeks before I spoke to another person with the condition. She helped me go from feeling as though an electric eel were strapped to my face and zapping me to living a life free of jaw pain. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. —Ren Dornsife, Kettering, OH

Relevant, Relatable Content

I just read the recent issue of Brain & Life and wanted to thank you for all the hard work you and your team do to produce such a stellar publication! I’m quite excited about the new name and design, too, so bravo! I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001 and this is the one publication I always keep on hand to share with others. It continues to offer fresh, topical content and thought-provoking tips to improve comprehension and conversations between doctors and patients. For years, I’ve recommended this magazine and its website to family, friends, and my neurologic communities worldwide, and I will continue to do so. —Mary P. Pettigrew, Dallas, TX

Ad Nauseum

My husband and I used to enjoy the wonderful articles in your magazine, before it became an advertising booklet. Of the 64 pages in your August/September 2018 issue, almost 24 were ads by pharmaceutical companies. That’s a ridiculously high number in anyone’s book. While we realize those ad dollars pay for the cost of the magazine, it gives the appearance that your magazine is someone’s back pocket. Not sure we’ll renew our subscription when we move. We’ll decide when the next issue arrives–with fewer ads, we hope! —Mr. & Mrs. Devogelaere, Woodstock, IL

I am so disappointed in this free magazine. The August/September issue is 68 pages, but 23.5 pages are advertisements for prescription medication. And the font in the advertisements is larger than the articles. Readers do not need to be bombarded by ads for something they aren’t able to purchase. I would gladly pay for the magazine in order to not have to deal with all those advertisements! —Jill Bielinski, Green Bay, WI

THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letters. As you noted, advertising revenue helps us provide this publication free of charge to people with neurologic conditions and their families and caregivers. The American Academy of Neurology maintains a clear separation between advertising and editorial content to ensure that one does not influence the other.