Question about facial muscles

[tevs]

Hi, for the last two months I've had what is best described as this strange tightness in my cheeks area/inside my mouth on both sides. This tightness is also under my front lip inside my mouth. It's always there and does not come and go. At times I get the sensation like I am drooling but when I wipe the corner of my mouth, there's nothing there. I have had an MRI of my head and cervical spine. As of now, there's no change in function of my mouth, tongue, or facial movements. Does this sound like possible bulbar onset?

 

[Wondering Runner]

Hello, It's stressful to not know why your body is acting peculiar. Hmm. What has your physican said? If you have gone through with an MRI and such I would think they've made recommendations of some sort. Such as watching and waiting? If so, keep notes on a calendar and see how things develope or decline and know that there are many things that could cause your worry. Bulbar onset ALS is but one. Do some more homework with search engines and such but further inquiry here is futile as far as a diagnosis goes.

Spasticity could cause your muscle issue but weakness is key with Bulbar ALS... I am NOT a Dr. and I am NOT giving absolutes. Who knows most accurately but your Dr.s? Good health to you.

 

[dalvin]

Not to me it doesn't. Don't sound anything like my bulbar issues

 

[lgelb]

No, it does not.
But I would see a dentist for an exam to elicit possible TMJ dysfunction/teeth clenching when you sleep.

 

[Atsugi]

TEVS, I have good news and bad news.

The good news is, you don't have ALS.
The bad news is, everybody who answered your questions in 2011 are dead.

Think about that.

 

[skipper66]

You have been asking questions on here starting since 2011? Boy, you need another hobby!

 

[tevs]

Thank you.

 

[tevs]

Twitching mainly same area

Hi, I know my last post, a couple posters pointed out I needed to get a life because I started a thread about 3 years ago about leg cramps. The leg cramps are no longer concerning as they seem to be few and far between now. My grandfather passed from ALS so it is a concern to me. My symptoms started September this year with sudden burning in face, hands, arms. Have gotten better with Gabapentin. I know these sensory symptoms are not symptoms of ALS. Also have days where arms are just fatigued for no reason. Yes I read the stickies about fatigue versus weakness. Went to neurologist, clean MRI, neuro exam was normal other than what he called some brisk reflexes in legs. Normal strength test, etc. Have an EMG scheduled for next week because I asked for one. I also have developed strong twitches in my butt cheeks. About two weeks ago was on my left side and lasted all day. Went away on that side. Now it's in the right cheek all day last Friday and then again yesterday while the left cheek was at the same time sore. Also notice some small twitches in arms and legs. I am 40 by the way. Was wondering if ALS twitches at onset could alternate between the same body parts just opposite sides? Thank you for your time in reading and anyone that replies.

 

[texastracy]

Wait until you have the EMG, it will help fill in your blanks.

As each case of ALS develops differently, you can't get a complete yes or no answer to you most recent question.

As for myself, I started with severe leg cramps 2 years ago. There were already changes in my voice up to a year before. The twitches didn't come until the atrophy had become apparent. It is a race between my legs, arms, and voice of which one goes first at this point.

Be patient until the EMG.

 

[tevs]

Thank you Texastracy.

I had my EMG, the neurologist was not a neuromuscular specialist, he only stuck me in 3 muscle groups (all on right side- lower leg, lower arm, upper arm, somewhere in the middle of upper back). He didn't stick me on my left. He verbally told me results were normal and said I could pick up report later.

After EMG, I showed him the front of my neck (should have shown him before the EMG). When I grit my teeth, only the left side of my neck flexes. The right does not. He was a little thrown by this and immediately started feeling my neck and having me make faces while he felt and watched my neck. He concluded that's just how I'm anatomically built. To me, it looks like the right side of my neck just does not move when I make the gritting teeth/flex face.

He seemed perplexed.

My question is, could ALS start in the neck like what I've described? I asked the neuro and he said no but he's not a specialist in MND so I am wondering if he would know. I have no weakness in my neck.
And if a person has ALS with symptoms in the left leg, but EMG was done on right side, would EMG still be normal? I guess I'm asking if the needle has to be stuck in the area presenting with the symptoms.

 

[MaxEidswick]

>The bad news is, everybody who answered your questions in 2011 are dead.

:-(

 

[affected]

Tevs honey enough already.

I respectfully ask all members to cease responding to this person and thread. It is obvious you are determined to make someone agree that some little thing happening is ALS.

This is a serious medical condition that you have, but the wonderful news is that it can be treated if you will just go back and be honest with your doctor about your fixation on having a terminal illness despite evidence to the contrary.

Please honey don't respond to my post and keep yourself away from this site.

I'm so sorry your grandfather had ALS, it does not give you any higher chance of developing it than me whose husband had it.

All the best in leaving here and getting treatment.