Hi everyone. Well, I saw the new GP today and WOW what a difference. Within about 2 minutes, she said "you need to be evaluated by a neurologist". She made a phone call and I have an appointment next Thursday. She did a kind of brief neurological exam, and I noticed something that I think is a good thing with regard to ALS . . . my reflexes in my knees and ankles were pretty hard for to even elicit. She said I had "slight" reflexes. Not sure that that's necessarily a good thing in and of itself, but it seems to point away from ALS. Another kind of odd thing . . . She asked me to puff out my cheeks, and my left cheek doesn't really puff out! It was so weird! Afterwards she asked if I'd had any cramping or twitching on that side of my face. I told her that I had a little in my chin on that side, but that was all. Super odd. Anyone ever had that happen or know what it means?
Anyway, it was nice to have someone not just dismiss me. Oh, and the neurologist told her not to run any more tests and just send me to him. He is a general neurologist, but she said that she would prefer I see someone quickly then get a referral to a specialist as needed. I didn't mention that I was worried about ALS, by the way, as I didn't want to try to lead the conversation in any particular direction.