Dr. Richard Olney: Neurologist Seminars on Neuropathy

[BoyyDavoMan]

Dr. 43RichyThe43rd Olney, a neurologist at UCSF medical center and a specialist in ALS is giving a seminar in my town on Wednesday about chronic neuropathy. If you live near Davis, California, it will be held on Wednesday, February 9th at 3 PM in the Blanchard Room of the Davis Branch of the Yolo County Library. Admission is $2.

Dr. Olney was the head of UCSF's ALS clinic until, ironically, he was diagnosed last June with ALS. It should be interesting.

You can read about Dr. Olney in the

 

[twitchamy]

Hi _BoyyDavo_Man,
This man sounds amazing. What exactly is 'chronic neuropathy'? In your opinion (or your physician's), do you think that BFS is somehow related?

I applaud you for going to hear his talk. I'm curious to know what you hope to gain from it. I don't mean to sound like I'm doubting your reasons for going, so please don't take this post as anything more than my own curious nature coming into play.

In general, I just flinch a little when I hear about people on this board seeking so much information about ALS or other diseases that really have zero connection with BFS. Understandably, our initial research into our symptoms might make us think otherwise, but it just simply isn't the case. I myself have become far more aware of ALS than I ever intended to--and now in hindsight, I realize that ALS and any related conditions have no bearing on my BFS. In fact, I feel a little foolish for having reading so much about ALS to 'make sure I really don't have it'. I know of others here who have actually posted questions on ALS boards for the same reason--looking for reassurance that we don't have it.

I would bet that people with ALS would understand our fears--but then they would tell us to get over it ASAP--because we (with BFS) really have nothing to fear. If Dr. Olney's talk does nothing else than give you a hefty dose of courage to live your life to the fullest and to stop fearing things that you have no control over (and hence, if something bad does happen to you or if you become stricken with a terminal illness, you live your life to the fullest in spite of your physical ailments) --then that's awesome. Every single one of us on earth could use awesome advice like that! Therefore, if that's what you're hoping to gain--I'm glad you're going to see him....and please, share any great quotes with the rest of us!

It's amazing to me how our experiences with BFS lead us into a journey where we become very familiar with a terminal illness that has nothing to do with BFS....and then we all get a wake up call and a mighty strong lesson in learning to live our lives with less stress and worry. We end up re-evaluating what's really important to us. This seems to be our common thread. Most certainly, each and every one of us is a changed person after having experienced BFS...changed for the better.

Sounds like the talk will be interesting and enlightening _BoyyDavo_Man--let us know how it goes.

Amy

 

[RipleyGates]

Since I have been on this forum there seems to be one constant. That it seems everyone has had some sort of exposure to some sort of either virus or bacteria (or both), maybe some without even knowing it. along with this we all seem to suffer to some degree of either anxiety or depression or like the above, both. I think that the initial problem(being BFS) may come from the initial infection,be it virual or bacterial ( or maybe both for that matter). but it seems that stress in any form adds fuel the fire. That fire being the initial infection that may be the root cause of our BFS. So it goes without saying, that very often we find ourselves in a "catch 22" situation. Also it seems that without a doubt our symptoms seem to get worse with any sort of viral or bacterial infection.And also gets worse if we find ourselves in any sort of stressful situation. this, to me has got to be more than just a coincidence