Alex123
Distinguished member
- Joined
- May 31, 2014
- Messages
- 128
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 05/2014
- Country
- US
- State
- California
- City
- Los Angeles
I was recently told I have probable ALS after EMG. I will ask the neurologist next time if he used the term "probable" in a technical sense (El Escorial criteria) or with a more vague meaning. My symptoms started as slurred speech and later a neurologist discovered I had fasciculations in several parts of my body. Besides slurred speech, lately I have had a rough voice and it takes more air for me to speak. I also choked twice wile swallowing (a pill and grapefruit). With respect to the rough voice, I first attributed it to the reflux I get at night (early morning). I have had rough voice (dysphonia) years ago at a time my EGRD was bothering me. But now I am wondering if this is due to the reflux or part of my neurological symptoms. So far it looks like I have bulbar onset ALS, but I am wondering if with these symptoms there is still a possibility of this being something else. I could explain in grater detail all my symptoms, but to start with, I wonder if the combination of bulbar symptoms together with fasciculations, leaves some room for something else or makes it very unlikely. I could find some other cause for bulbar symtoms and attribute my fascicullations BFS, but I think this would be too much of a coincidence. It looks to me that these two things together, and also an EMG that shows sharp waves in the cervical region, does not leave much room for enything else. I have read that in the case of bulbar onset, something to consider is Myastenia gravis, but I wonder if that would show the symtoms I have (I don't have eyelid weakness). Talking about weakness, I have not detected any weakness in my arms or legs. MS is also unlikely because it does not show in MRI of brain and column.
I'll greatly appreciate your opinions.
I'll greatly appreciate your opinions.