Jaw symptoms! Is this als ?!

[Deedee5]

Hi everybody , plzzz I need your advice on this as I am really worried (( .I am 38 yrs old mother of 3 kids . I already went to my Gp and he doesn't seem to know what's wrong . I have a feeling of weakness , numbness don't know how to explain it in my jaw but just ONE side . When I touch my face there is no numbness at all . It just feels weak on one side , this has been going on for two months now . Some days it's a bit better , other days a bit worse but it's ALWAYS there . I also feel something pulling down from my jaw to my neck as if the muscle is tensed and pulling down . All this happening on just one side . My jaw on the other side is completely normal . I tried everything vitamin B , muscle relaxants but still the same .
Do you think this might be bulbar als ? I read that unilateral jaw weakness can be a sign of lower motor neurones . Plzzz plzzzz let me know what u think .

 

[lgelb]

If there is no weakness, no difference in how you are able to move your jaw on that side than the other, then I would suspect a pinched nerve/pressure palsy and try moist heat/massage. And possibly a new pillow if you sleep on that side.

You do not say if there is pain when you touch or move the affected area, but if there is, the above would still apply.

On the face of it, without weakness, (a weak feeling doesn't count), we wouldn't rush toward ALS. And as you know, something that goes from the jaw into the neck is more likely sensory than motor. If it persists after conservative care, you might consider a TMJ specialist as well. But you are long way from a MND diagnosis, it would seem.

 

[affected]

honey, my husband passed away from bulbar onset ALS. It starts in the tongue.

 

[Deedee5]

Thank u sooo much for taking the tome to reply . i don't have pain at all . It's just a feeling of weakness in the jaw (just the left side ) and when it gets worse it feels like its pulling down. As if my jaw is lower or weaker on this side . Sometimes my teeth even feel strange , numb on this side . I find chewing sensation weird on the affected side . As if my mastication muscles are not functioning well and are being pulled down . The right side of my jaw is completely normal.

 

[ECpara]

My husband has bulbar onset ALS. It has never affected his jaw. As Tillie mentioned, onset begins in the tongue. Whatever you have does not sound like ALS at all. Numbness, weird sensations....not ALS. I'm with Igelb, see a TMJ specialist.

 

[skipper66]

I agree with everyone else. Doesn't look like ALS at alll. Seeing a TMJ specialist popped right into my mind as well when I read the post. Good luck to you !

 

[Deedee5]

I really can't express how thankful I am to each one of you who took the time to write me a few words . I am soooo scared and I have been logging in every hour since I posted this thread hoping to find a new reply that will help ease my mind a bit . I went to an Ent, a dentist and a neurologist and no one had a clue what this is . I can't function and my kids can feel it , worry & fear are consuming me & leaving me with no energy to tend for my little ones . It's killing me .
I am really frustrated and having nightmares that this thing will progress and turn out to be bulbar ALs . It's your experiences and replies that get me going .

 

[Deedee5]

I also have this stiff muscle in my neck (front) on the same side of the weak/numb jaw .whenever I move my jaw it is pulling this muscle . And whatever muscle relaxant I take this muscle always feels like a rope tied to my weak/numb jaw . This tight muscle goes from under my left jaw to the collar bone.

 

[Nuts]

Deedee5, I don't believe you will find any different answers by adding additonal symptoms. I'm sorry that you are so stressed, it must be awful. I would suggest that you make an appoiontment with a therapist to help deal with your anxiety. If you can't do that, then an anxiety forum would be a more appropriate place for you to seek help. I wish you the best.

 

[skipper66]

I am very sorry but your symptoms are not ALS related. We honestly can't help you on here. I am not a expert on it but it appears that alot of what your are experiencing seems to be stress and anxiety related. Anxiety is a horrible thing to have to go through and I do feel for you. It is also nothing at all to be ashamed about either. I would honestly try seeing a therapist and see if that helps any. I'm not sure that is all that is going on with you but that is a big start. Good luck to you. Try to do something relaxing for yourself. Watch a funny Christmas movie with the kids. I truly wish you the best of luck. Kim