What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a degenerative disorder affecting upper motor neurons in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. Symptoms include progressive weakness, atrophy, fasciculation, dysphagia, and eventual paralysis of respiratory function.

How do members experience amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis*

*Data from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Rilutek)
Perceived effectiveness
for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (72 evaluations)
Side effects
chronic diarrhea loss of energy 3 more
Total evaluations
72
Tried for
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (99)
Treatment

(Radicava)
Perceived effectiveness
for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (12 evaluations)
Side effects
paralysis of legs
Total evaluations
12
Tried for
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (31)

*Data from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 3
20s 115
30s 459
40s 997
50s 2,414
60s 3,740
70+ 4,597

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 6,358
Female 5,218