SANDPOINT — Sometimes, the mountains we face in life are meant to be conquered so that others know they can endure difficult circumstances, too.  

When Sandpoint resident Dr. John Bigley was misdiagnosed with ALS almost four years ago, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body, he knew that he had to be an advocate for himself in finding the root cause of his newfound mobility issues.   

With a career as an equine veterinarian, Bigley has spent most of his life treating and working with horses. Arthritis and back pain, according to Bigley, were part of his line of work. However, when he woke up one morning to walk upstairs in his Sandpoint home and was unable to push off his right foot, he knew something wasn’t right.  

“It made no sense, I had no heel rise, and it sort of changed literally overnight,” Bigley said. “It started to show in my left leg, but it’s primarily my right as the worst.” 

Bigley noted that certain muscle groups had started atrophying quickly, resulting in him utilizing a wheelchair for a period of time. During that same time, Bigley was unable to work on horses in person due to their size and his lack of movement.   

“I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in my lower back at first. The first surgeon thought that was all it was. But I had to do something, because it was changing to where I was completely immobile,” Bigley said. “Everyone agreed that I had spinal stenosis and that I had spinal problems, but everyone also agreed that they thought I had ALS.”  

Diagnosed with ALS for two years, Bigley shared that it was an uphill battle met with a lot of physical therapy and other rehabilitative measures. Being tagged with an illness that “came with an expiration date,” Bigley continued seeking medical advice and assistance from other doctors. 

Bigley said that navigating years of uncertainty reinforced the importance of having an advocate during serious medical illness — whether it's a trusted family member, friend or medical professional who can help ask questions, take notes and push for answers when patients are overwhelmed. 

“Some people wait for months, or years, with things that need to be seen right away. And some of it is very time sensitive,” Bigley said. “The important thing is, whether it’s when we’re older or younger, we all need an advocate.”   

After two years, Bigley and two local surgeons determined that he did not have a disease that would cause the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Bigley said the underlying issue, aside from spinal stenosis, remains unclear but may involve immune-mediated neuropathies.

Still suffering from mobility issues, Bigley continued rehabilitation, seeking platelet-rich plasma, back injections and stem cells.  

“I was starting to see a little bit of results, so along with that, I started looking for mobility devices, something like a TENS unit,” Bigley said.  

Upon his research, Bigley found a Bioness machine, typically used on individuals with paralysis symptoms due to a stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury or incomplete spinal cord injury, according to the product site. The machine assists in stimulating nerves and muscles that are used to lift the foot, correcting foot drop and weak thighs.  

“You just have to go on blind faith sometimes. I met with the people down in Coeur d’Alene, who are very smart about their product, and I thought I got a little boost out of it (Bioness machines),” Bigley said.  

Now, Bigley says that the product, along with his other rehab measures, has allowed his feet to straighten out, gaining better leg movement and mobility as a whole. He is also able to walk using sticks, a major improvement from being wheelchair bound.  

Although he is still unable to work with horses in person, Bigley can work with his four-legged patients through telemedicine.  

“I just love what I do, and I’ve been able to do it for a long time,” Bigley said.   

An equestrian veteran for over 40 years, Bigley’s love of animals started with his undergraduate studies at Colorado State University, where he began his journey at the equine reproduction lab. There, he was a part of the first embryo transfers in horses — a thrilling start to his career.  

From there, he studied at a progressive equine surgical practice in Santa Barbara, California, where Bigley eventually became part of the staff before becoming licensed in several other western states.

      

    The Bioness machine that has helped Bigley's mobility