crooked mouth

[katmomma]

I've posted on here a few times before about my concerns with als. Basically, the main issues are twitching all over, headaches when waking up (could be due to pregnancy - Im due in 4 wks), and Ive had excess saliva since June, and lately I have been clearing my throat quite a bit, like there is always phlegm to come up. Well, this evening I was getting ready to go out with some friends and I was whistling in front of the mirror to my daughter's disney movie and noticed that my mouth goes to the right when I put my lips together to whistle. I can't really say if I've ever looked at myself whistle in front of the mirror, but this definitely didn't seem right. My speech is not slurred or anything that I know of. What does everyone make of this? I'm trying to hold off going to a specialist about this until after the baby is born. Oh, I did have a clean EMG the very end of July, so a little over 3 months ago. Other random symptoms Ive had have been on and off tenderness in both my shoulders that give a weak feeling to my arms and hands, but this comes and goes..I don't have it right now, for example. I just turned 27, and from what I've read, bulbar onset usually affects older aged people. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks everyone for your help
Katina

 

[joelc]

With a clean EMG and accounting for your age I would put the possibility of ALS out of your mind.
Give it some time after your baby is born and see what happens.

Almost a Christmas baby! Congratulations!

 

[laurel]

Since you're having headaches and the crooked mouth and are expecting a baby in 4 weeks, I think a call to your doctor is very warranted. Better to be safe than sorry. Best of luck and please get checked out. I worry about pre-eclampsia sneaking up on you.
Laurel

 

[GlenBrittle]

Ha !

You were whistling.

I read previously in these forums that people with ALS cant whistle. So I tried. Best I can achieve is a dry fart and drool down my chin.

What does that tell you . Its says that the next time you are whistling in the mirror , say to yourself "HA I don't have ALS"

Glen

 

[katmomma]

Thanks guys. Glen you are too funny. I know given my age that this would be highly unlikely, but I know that it unfortunately can happen. I do want to go to my doctor again, but part of me wants to wait till after the baby is here. The whistling thing is very alarming to me. Like I said, I don't really know what I looked like in the past when I whistled because I don't think Ive done it in the mirror, I just feel like this is not necessarily normal. With those of you with bulbar symptoms, did you notice slurring before any disfiguring in your face?

 

[BarryG]

Slurring was my first symptom long before anything else.

 

[crystalkk]

Kat,

I know you are really worried, but try and relax you are due in 4 wks. Like you said your mouth could have always
did that while whistling you were just never looking in the mirror. If you had bulbar ALS you would not be able to whistle at all.
The excess saliva could be from allergies, even if you never had them you can get them really bad in pregnancy.
I am so happy that I was reading what to expect when your expecting when I was pregnant. I never had eye allergies
and the first sign of spring I couldn't wait to walk in the park. The next day I couldn't even open my eyes they were swollen shut.
I never had nose bleeds in my life until I was pregnant.

I know it is easier said than done, but try and take care of yourself.

 

[katmomma]

Thanks Crystal,
Its just so hard to think its anything else. I keep telling myself that bulbar als would be very rare at my age, considering its a rare form already. Those with bulbar, does the side that is weak droop, or the opposite? Like, if I tighten my lips to whistle, and my bottom mouth goes to the right, does that mean that the right side would be the weak side, or the left side?
I realize that people with bulbar als can't whistle, but it just doesn't happen overnight right? Wouldn't this be a gradual thing?

 

[Danijela]

I am 31 weeks pregnant, and have all symptoms you describe - twitching, sore muscles and weakness in my limbs, excessive salivation plus cramps and many other niggles, all normal in pregnancy. My mouth is beautiful though, but I can't whistle! With a clean emg and your baby on the way I feel it's a shame you are not some other forum discussing baby prams and bottle sterilisers, being joyous and excited about the birth. All the best to you. D

 

[laurel]

Danijela I think you give very good advice. Wright suggested the same long ago. Kat it's time to start nesting and getting ready for the new babe and stop obsessing about ALS. I wish you well.
Laurel

 

[Moonmark]

Hi Katmomma, sorry to hear you are still having problems and are still worried about ALS. one thought: you might want to check in with your doctor to make sure you don't have Bell's Palsy, which is about four times more common in pregnant women (particularly in the third trimester) than in the general population. It can cause muscle twitching in the face, drooping lip, drooling, dry eyes, headaches, etc. it can also be a precursor to preeclampsia, a serious condition that causes high blood pressure, elevated protein in the urine, and other symptoms during pregnancy. I had preeclampsia during my pregnancy almost three years ago and had to go on bedrest for 7 weeks. during the labor my blood pressure suddenly skyrocketed and I had to take an anti-seizure medication. as Danijela said, your symptoms may be merely the odd happenings of pregnancy, but since they seem to be primarily concentrated in your face (where Bell's Palsy manifests), I think you should play it safe and go see your doctor.

here's some info:
Bell's Palsy During Pregnancy

Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy and enjoy your little one when he or she arrives!

Sandra

 

[asantiago]

Katmoma, if I didn't know better I'd think you want to have ALS. You seriously need to stop associating everything that happens with your body to being possibly ALS. I think you should get rid of all the mirrors in your house. This isn't the first post of yours thats start with you over analyzing something in the mirror.

You have so many things to be happy about in life right now. If you put half the energy into believing you don't have ALS as you do thinking you might have it, you'd be long gone from this place.

 

[rose]

Katmomma,

Danijela and Asantiago expressed perfectly what I felt when reading your posts. Try to understand that you can't get time back, when its past, its gone for good.

You're at such a good place in life, turn your energy to productive and nurturing thoughts. My kids are grown now, but I have those memories of the preparation for birth, packing the diaper bag for the hospital (first child LOL) La Leche League meetings, learning about nutrition for me as well as the baby. It would be so wonderful to be able to go back and hold and rock each of them all over again.

What Laurel and Sandra brought up about Bells Palsy and pre-eclampsia is an interesting take on what you describe, if your face truly is drooping on one side. But, as far as your mouth being crooked when you whistle? ? No ones face is perfectly symmetrical, I've got pictures of me as a baby with a crooked smile!

Seriously, step away from the computer, (and the mirror) the very best of luck to you and your family.

 

[lmaire]

I would say highly unlikely at your age. Neurologist would be able to diagnose better.

 

[katmomma]

I really appreciate everyone's help. It's so hard to just forget about what's happening. I know I need to step away from everything. At least until the baby is born (scheduled C sec on Dec 15, unless I go early, which I am praying). I feel guilty getting advice from everyone that truly is dealing with this disease, and I respect everyone. The strength on this board is amazing. I'm going to start trying to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy...This saturday I am taking maternity pictures...should be interesting, I've never really exposed my baby belly in front of strangers.
Thank you again everyone
Katina