Worrisome symptoms

[Neverblinktwice]

Good evening everyone, I am new to the site and would just like to start off by saying how much I admire everyone who is in some way affected by ALS. I am a 22 year old male who has always led a very active lifestyle whether its working out 4 times a week or playing competitive hockey. Throughout my life I have always been very engaging and was always somewhat of a social butterfly. However ,growing up I have suffered a handfull of concussions, most of them at hockey. It was about 12 months ago where I began having unusual symptoms such as slurred speech and general fatigue, it seemed like I just couldn't go about my day without being tired and weak. These symptoms surfaced shortly after suffering a concussion during a use of force class. Initially, i shrugged these symptoms off and linked them to my busy schedule. However, I began noticing some cognitive changes such as memory loss and unexplainable speech problems sort of like my mouth can't keep up with my though process. Fast forward a few months after and things didnt seems to be getting better, but worse. I could not find he strength to get myself Ito the gym, and on rare occasions where I would go, I felt a very short of breath and felt dizzy as my workouts unfolded. I was forced to take the year off hockey because of what I had been experiencing. I am not one to usuall run to the doctor unless something is seriously wrong. In January I went in to see my Family doctor to find some answers, I listed off my symptoms which at this point have progressed to the following: speech problems, weakness in my legs, fasciculations particularly in my legs, loss of coordination, a lump feeling near my nasopharynx( feeling of constanly having to clear my throat for phlem) and diminished lung capacity ( shallow breathing). Blood test came back fine as well as an MRI of my brain. So still no answer for my symptoms and things seems to be getting pregressively worse ( frustration begins to set in). He refers me to a neurologist who for the month of September, still 2 and a half months down the road from today. So here in July, my speech is still slurred, my breathing as shallow as ever and now I am noticing that I have an excessive amount of saliva in my mouth at all time, constantly drooling or spitting on people when I speak, very unpleasant. I have never had a problem with anxiety before, however my symptoms are Causing a great deal of it. I avoid social settings as much as possible now because I'm afraid of what people might think of me. Tonight I attempted to play ball hockey but had a hard time keeping up, I was easily winded and my legs were almost unresponsive to what I wanted them to do. I even got in a verbal altercation with a guy and my chirp to him was all slurred and I walked away feeling like an idiot. I drink the odd weekend and have the occasional cigarette whenever I do. I eat healthy and have never done drugs. This has completely changed my life and quality of life is at an all time low. The fact that symptoms are becoming progressively worse is what worries me he most. I understand the rareness of ALS, but at the same time no one is imunne to it. Thanks for reading, any comments queries or question are much appreciated! *I apologize in advance for the long single paragraph as it makes it hard to read I know, I'm ony phone at the moment on night shift.

 

[ottawa girl]

Did your GP identify and note your speech and breathing issues as well? What do your parents think? Are your friends commenting on your speech? Please keep in mind that excess saliva can be due to many reasons. Have you also been referred to an ENT?

I wouldn't jump to conclusions and/or to ALS. You see the neuro in September, I gather?

 

[vickim]

Well don't fret until you have to. The dr is the only one who can give you a diagnosis. My guess would be some sort of brain damage from all the knocks to the head. They are finding more and more out about what concussions are doing to the brain.

All you can do at this point is remain calm. Anxiety will make things worse. I know easier said than done. But we have all been there. This will be a process of elimination and that takes time and patience. There will lots of tests and waiting. Keep a journal of all your problems, when they start, what you were doing, how long they last and so on. Write down questions you may have too. This will give the dr a timeline and it is easier than trying to remember everything when you are being bombarded with questions.

No matter the out come of all this good or bad, you need to keep moving forward. Keep living your life, making memories, and enjoying. Dwelling, fretting and anxiety will not change the out come good or bad all it will do is waste time you will not get back. Keep us posted on how things turn out.

 

[Barbie]

Go to another doctor. your problem is the concussions, not ALS. you could have a blood clot. good luck to you!

 

[skipper66]

You don't have ALS. But, I strongly recommend that you see a Dr. or specialist right away with your symptoms. You need to find out what really is going on. Several concussions and blows to the head in themselves could be serious. Good luck to you. Kim