Worried any advice.

[RAidanM]

Hi, I am very new to this site so please excuse me if I do not
come across clearly. I have had difficulty swallowing for about 6 months now.
It is the usual chewing of food for long periods of time only to then sometimes wash
down the food with a drink. I have no problem with fluids, only with solid foods.
I am worried I might be and might have been exhibiting signs of PBP or bulbar onset ALS. Again, for 6 months have been having this problem with no other signs at all, until
just 2 days ago when I began researching and understading ALS when at that time I became very anxious and since then have had increased blood pressure and sporadic
twitching all over my body (never in one place for any extended period of time)
I am worried as I am a 31 year old married male with one child of 3.5 years.
I for years have been getting food stuck in my upper esophagus (maybe 10 times a year) and having panic attacks because of that. I wake up when in deep sleep and start spitting everywhere or think I am choking on something (approx. 2 times a week) and
had choked badly as a child. I am sorry for being so diffuse.
I guess my main concern or question is, Is it normal to have swallowing difficulty for a period of 6 months (initiating a swallow) with no other symptoms as a sign of bulbar onset ALS? And secondly, Is the twitching likely due to anxiety (no twitching in tongue)?
I appreciate all thoughts and considerations.
Respectfully, Robert

[liz]

Hi Robert -

I think you need to see a gastroenterologist first. When I was younger I had/was treated for swallowing problems which had nothing to due with ALS. There are many, much less drastic and much more treatable, causes for swallowing issues which you would want to rule out before concluding you have ALS.

Liz

[patricia1]

Hi, I am very new to this site so please excuse me if I do not
come across clearly. I have had difficulty swallowing for about 6 months now.
It is the usual chewing of food for long periods of time only to then sometimes wash
down the food with a drink. I have no problem with fluids, only with solid foods.
I am worried I might be and might have been exhibiting signs of PBP or bulbar onset ALS. Again, for 6 months have been having this problem with no other signs at all, until
just 2 days ago when I began researching and understading ALS when at that time I became very anxious and since then have had increased blood pressure and sporadic
twitching all over my body (never in one place for any extended period of time)
I am worried as I am a 31 year old married male with one child of 3.5 years.
I for years have been getting food stuck in my upper esophagus (maybe 10 times a year) and having panic attacks because of that. I wake up when in deep sleep and start spitting everywhere or think I am choking on something (approx. 2 times a week) and
had choked badly as a child. I am sorry for being so diffuse.
I guess my main concern or question is, Is it normal to have swallowing difficulty for a period of 6 months (initiating a swallow) with no other symptoms as a sign of bulbar onset ALS? And secondly, Is the twitching likely due to anxiety (no twitching in tongue)?
I appreciate all thoughts and considerations.
Respectfully, Robert
Dear Robert I worked for a gastro Md for 10 years it sounds like you may have a narrowing of the esophogist from years of reflux are you overweight and do you gat alot of heartburn I dont think you have ALS take care Pat

[CindyM]

Hi Robert- I've always had trouble swallowing due to a web of tissue that partly blocks my esophogist. They have removed it twice but it grows back. So you see, there could be a lot of reasons for this and the only thing to do is see all the specialists and have them run all the tests necessary until you get to the bottom of things! Good luck and let us know how it goes. Cindy

[Al]

I know two people with swallowing problems and choking that have to get their throat stretched every year or so. Simple day surgery. Not a big deal but not sure what the technical term for it are. AL.

[musicsmiles]

hi, Robert
Glad you join the site. My husband is diagnoised with the bulbar onset of ALS and he always has a problem swallowing liquids. He can still eat solid foods and if he concentrates while he is eating, he has little problems. It is the liquids that he has a very hard time with. He was diagnoised in September and along with the swallowing, comes slurred speech, weakness and numbness of the tongue and twitching on the upper part of his body.... It is now December and much harder time swallowing and his upper part of his body has become much weaker. He goes to the ALS cllinic in January again...he has to go every 3 months...to check the progression of his ALS.
So, Robert any signs of these symptoms...good luck...I hope not.
Merry Christmas
Musicsmiles