DPJ1375
New member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2015
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- AU
- State
- NS
- City
- Sydney
Hi
I am a 42 year old guy and am concerned about increasing hoarseness I have been experiencing over the last 7 months. I have been treated for suspected GERD/acid reflux with no improvement.
I have been to 2 neurologists, the first in June 2015 and the second in October 2016 for fasciculations and mild cramps which were concerning me (although they have mostly disappeared now). My clinical exams were fine and they also ordered EMGs - the first showed no abnormalities and the second showed mild denervation in my right thigh (rectus femoris).
Having looked through this forum, it seems that the majority of PALS with bulbar onset begin with slurring, and that there are one or two who began with hoarseness and later developed slurring.
I know you cannot diagnose me, and am wondering if you are able to answer my questions:
1. Did you/your PALS have onset of bulbar with hoarseness and, if so, what was your/their timeline and path to ALS diagnosis (eg did they see an ENT, then a neuro months later etc)?
2. Did you/your PALS have an EMG during the diagnostic process and did it show any abnormalities, even mild ones?
My impression is that EMGs in bulbar onset are often completely unremarkable or show only very small problems that are usually attributed to normal age-related changes.
I guess my next step should be to see an ENT specialist to determine what is the cause of my hoarseness. I am praying that it is not neurological in origin.
Many thanks for reading
I am a 42 year old guy and am concerned about increasing hoarseness I have been experiencing over the last 7 months. I have been treated for suspected GERD/acid reflux with no improvement.
I have been to 2 neurologists, the first in June 2015 and the second in October 2016 for fasciculations and mild cramps which were concerning me (although they have mostly disappeared now). My clinical exams were fine and they also ordered EMGs - the first showed no abnormalities and the second showed mild denervation in my right thigh (rectus femoris).
Having looked through this forum, it seems that the majority of PALS with bulbar onset begin with slurring, and that there are one or two who began with hoarseness and later developed slurring.
I know you cannot diagnose me, and am wondering if you are able to answer my questions:
1. Did you/your PALS have onset of bulbar with hoarseness and, if so, what was your/their timeline and path to ALS diagnosis (eg did they see an ENT, then a neuro months later etc)?
2. Did you/your PALS have an EMG during the diagnostic process and did it show any abnormalities, even mild ones?
My impression is that EMGs in bulbar onset are often completely unremarkable or show only very small problems that are usually attributed to normal age-related changes.
I guess my next step should be to see an ENT specialist to determine what is the cause of my hoarseness. I am praying that it is not neurological in origin.
Many thanks for reading
