Slurred speech and now a nasal sounding voice...

[joe riley]

After many tests and trying to rule everything out. I have been to my GP, Neurologist, Cardiologist, Gastric, ENT, and now I am being referred to a specialized neuro. My sppeech began slurring for short time frames 15-30 seconds. The interals were unpredictable and they did not appear to be related to time stress or fatigue. For the last month the slurred speech has become more frequent, longer lasting and now id paired with a nasal voice. I have the feeling that something is in the roof of my mouth. I know have difficulty chewing at times and the movement of food in my my mouth leaves food caught in the roof of my mouth and difficulty swallowing. I have also noticed that with drinking liquid I have some back flow to the sides of my mouth like a drool, I need to have a napkin ready. With a few sips of anything alcoholic my speech is that of someone after a long might of drinking. I am to say the least panicked. When the ENT asked me if anyone during all of my Doctor visits suggested I was blown away, but I had done some research prior to my appointment and kept thinking... This could be me, but my motor skills are fine.. I am not fatigued... I don't drop things... and every know and then I have a muscle cramp, but who doesn't at 61... It will be 2 weeks before I can get into the specialist... I am petrified.

 

[kiwisally]

Hey Joe, So sorry for your difficulties. I know how hard and scary this can be and 2 weeks can seem like an eternity. Do try and calm yourself and wait for your appointment with the specialist neuro before you do further research. What sort of "specialist" is he/she by the way? If it's any consolation to you, your description of symptoms do not sound terribly similar my experience.

 

[TedH5]

It is understandable that you are nervous and as you said "petrified" by the anxiety caused from the unknown. What type of Neuro specialist are you seeing? What type of tests have you had done? During any of your visits so far, have they found any clinical weakness?

I know it is easier said then done but try and be patient and wait to see what the specialist says. Remember it is not ALS until it is not anything else. I wish you luck!

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

I can't agree more with the 2 posts above. And as Ted asked what tests have been performed, even bloodwork? Did the first neurologist do an EMG? Even though we are not doctors here and cannot diagnose you, it would be easier if we knew all the tests that have been done.

Please don't oo gle doc tor go og le, he's a bit of a quack. And he causes many to turn their anxiety levels up so high, they no longer are able to take our advice. Your best bet is to calm down, turn off the computer and take slow breaths. And enjoy the next 2 weeks. Worrying is not going to make it come any sooner nor will it help with your anxiety.

Good luck and Let us know when you have all your tests

 

[notme]

So are you saying that the ENT suggested that he thinks you may have ALS? I'm a bit confused?

Did the ENT do a swallow test? MRI? As said--what tests you've had is much more helpful than listing the types of doctors you've seen, I think.

Try not to panic until/unless they tell you something serious is wrong. Anxiety can make any kind of issue with swallowing and speech much worse, I'm afraid.

I'm assuming they have suggested you see a neuromuscular specialist?

 

[jb63]

If the ENT suggested als, i think this is very premature. if he suggested neuologist, don't panic as there are many possible causes.

 

[joe riley]

After many tests and trying to rule everything out. I have been to my GP, Neurologist, Cardiologist, Gastric, ENT, and now I am being referred to a specialized neuro. My sppeech began slurring for short time frames 15-30 seconds. The interals were unpredictable and they did not appear to be related to time stress or fatigue. For the last month the slurred speech has become more frequent, longer lasting and now id paired with a nasal voice. I have the feeling that something is in the roof of my mouth. I know have difficulty chewing at times and the movement of food in my my mouth leaves food caught in the roof of my mouth and difficulty swallowing. I have also noticed that with drinking liquid I have some back flow to the sides of my mouth like a drool, I need to have a napkin ready. With a few sips of anything alcoholic my speech is that of someone after a long might of drinking. I am to say the least panicked. When the ENT asked me if anyone during all of my Doctor visits suggested I was blown away, but I had done some research prior to my appointment and kept thinking... This could be me, but my motor skills are fine.. I am not fatigued... I don't drop things... and every know and then I have a muscle cramp, but who doesn't at 61... It will be 2 weeks before I can get into the specialist... I am petrified.

I did not list the tests that I have had:
I have had the following: MRI - Normal, CAT SCAN - Normal, EEG - Normal, Swallowing Barium Test - Normal, Endoscopic - Small Irritation att he base of the esophogas and stomach, Basic Allergy Panel - Normal.

 

[joe riley]

I listed the tests that I have had.

 

[notme]

But failed to answer the questions asked--who suggested ALS to you at all?

If there was nothing but irritation in your throat--are you sure it's not just anxiety? The swallow test should have showed problems with muscle weakness in the region, I think?

 

[rose]

Joe,

I know its hard waiting, and is scary imagining the worst case scenario. There are other causes for swallowing and speech problems other than motor neuron. ALS and the MNDs even though rare, get a lot more attention via internet searching than the percentages of actual diagnoses by symptoms searched for reflect.

What I'm trying to say is that there are causes actually more common, but found less frequently when we try to do our own research online. (make sense?)

Just try to take it one day at a time. Its never ever ALS until it really truly can't be anything else. There is a lot that will need to be excluded for you before you should even have it on your radar.

good luck to you

 

[joe riley]

The ENT suggested the ALS Screen. I had a really rough weekend. I had a vagal response passed out and hit the ceramic floor, stitches and a CAT Scan and everything is OK. I look a mess, but the slurred speech remained for almost two days. This is the longest time ever for the slurred speech to last. Great difficulty swallowing and water entering the back of my nose when I was drinking. My speech this morning is normal just with some swallowing issues.

 

[momap53]

So sorry about the fall. Hope this week is better for you.

 

[jamiem]

I have the same symptoms of slurred speech and nasal sounding voice with absolutely no other symptoms of ALS. It is becoming increasingly difficult to work as a psychologist so I am looking at early SS. I am a 55 year old female. Please let me know what your screening shows. My visit with the ALS specialist is inconclusive and I return every 3 months. I am on Mestinon for my speech. I am not sure it helps anymore but I keep taking it. It might be worth a try.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

Joe,

May I ask where you picked up the term Vagal response? You said the ENT referred you to a neurologist but yet your swallow study was normal? ALS symp toms don't come and go, which is a good thing for you. I know you said you had a normal EEG and MRI but has anyone mentioned mini strokes to you? Another good thing is that you have no weakness and your fine motor skills are intact.

Your exam is only 1 week away. Continue enjoying your life and let us know what happens next week.

 

[joe riley]

Thanks for all of your support.
The specialist has now diagnosed me with MG. I began the medication and the results are miracle. I am not a 100%, but I can speak. I am not nasal, and I can swallow normally. I am ramping up on the medications. When it is time for the new dose, the symptons start to come back.

I think this is the answer.