RedLion
New member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2014
- Messages
- 1
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- MD
- City
- Gaithersburg
Hi all,
I've looked through the stickies and found quite a bit of helpful info, so i'll try to keep this simple.
For the last couple months, I've recurrently had an extremely hyperactive gag reflex. It will happen just while walking, or driving, with no apparent trigger - I'll just start gagging for no reason. Trying to talk makes it worse, as does singing, particularly singing high. These attacks usually end after a few minutes. I've also been clearing my throat almost constantly, and have had a dry, recurring cough, particularly after eating. I feel like there's a lot of mucus I need to clear, but not much comes up. My voice is a bit hoarse as well, but maybe that's just from all the coughing/clearing. I can swallow food and liquids just fine, but occasionally when I'm just swallowing saliva it feels like the swallowing process gets "caught" somewhere.
I went to an ENT doctor who said I do have some irritation and mucus and prescribed me an antibiotic. He also suggested it may be anxiety related and to check with a psychologist. I followed the antibio treatment with no real results, and the psychologist said that anxiety likely wouldn't cause the need to clear my throat or fits of reflexive gagging.
I know you're not doctors and I'm not asking you to diagnose me.
I'm just wondering if any of this symptomatic of typical bulbar onset?
I've looked through the stickies and found quite a bit of helpful info, so i'll try to keep this simple.
For the last couple months, I've recurrently had an extremely hyperactive gag reflex. It will happen just while walking, or driving, with no apparent trigger - I'll just start gagging for no reason. Trying to talk makes it worse, as does singing, particularly singing high. These attacks usually end after a few minutes. I've also been clearing my throat almost constantly, and have had a dry, recurring cough, particularly after eating. I feel like there's a lot of mucus I need to clear, but not much comes up. My voice is a bit hoarse as well, but maybe that's just from all the coughing/clearing. I can swallow food and liquids just fine, but occasionally when I'm just swallowing saliva it feels like the swallowing process gets "caught" somewhere.
I went to an ENT doctor who said I do have some irritation and mucus and prescribed me an antibiotic. He also suggested it may be anxiety related and to check with a psychologist. I followed the antibio treatment with no real results, and the psychologist said that anxiety likely wouldn't cause the need to clear my throat or fits of reflexive gagging.
I know you're not doctors and I'm not asking you to diagnose me.
I'm just wondering if any of this symptomatic of typical bulbar onset?