barrymac20

I read your new post. Can I suggest you request a barium swallow test? Your PCP should be able to order this and get it done quickly. I had this done and it onlyproves my anxiety was out of control. However, it may lead your doctor to what is causing your problem. A speech pathologist does the test and will pick up any slurring/speech issues too.

Glad to see your EMG results were good. Best of luck to you. I know you'll still have moments of panic and worry. I do as well. All I can say is...if we are both suffering "Post Viral Syndrome"....it is scary and unpredictable !! I think my next stop is a Rheumatologist (as long as my upper NCS/EMG turns out ok). I updated my post in the DIHALS with my current results. They seem to point away from ALS. I've been working on my anxiety and nutrition. We'll see where it goes................
Best of luck to you and your family. Clean EMG - now get out and start enjoying life again ! I'm going to do my best to do the same !!

Good luck tomorrow. Just try to be as calm as you can during the test. All will turn out fine!!

Hi there. Still much the same. Trying to stay off google etc as much as possible. Both of my shoulders are now hurting a lot (very stiff) and my right arm is weaker than before but all my other symptoms seems much the same, i.e. slurring etc. Twitching all over a lot more but I know thats not necessarily relevant,
Only have to wait a few more days for EMG but probably another week or so for results. I hope and pray all will be ok.
Thanks for checking in

Just checking in to see how you are holding up. I know Nov 14 seems ages away. But it really will be here before you know it. (Said by someone who agonizes while waiting.....go figure).

No one has commented but I know it's different. My wife is adamant I sound the same but I think she's sparing my feelings. I've noticed that's it's worse sometimes but its always there. Freaking out...

I've had some hoarseness....but my husband says I'm not slurring my words at all. I did have trouble with tongue twitches and tremors for a few weeks. But that has subsided now.

Do you feel like you are slurring? Or is your wife/friends commenting on it?

My biggest problem is that my voice is definitely slurring and I'm afraid of my life that its bulbar. Will see what the emg/ncs brings but its going to be hell waiting for it. I'm finding it hard to even look at kids at the minute because of my fear that I'll be "gone" soon.
Was/is your voice affected at all?

I fell into the 'rabbit hole' after the clean EMG on my lower legs and arm of: 'Did they perform the EMG correctly?' 'Was it too early?' 'Do I have bulbar onset and it just didn't pick it up?'.....and on and on and on.

Please don't fall into the hole I did. I was COMPLETELY unaware of what anxiety can do.

I'm relieved to be getting it done but seriously scared of the outcome!
I honestly think until I have a "clean" emg (fingers crossed) no amount of valium will help me. I'm up the walls, but at least I dont have to wait too long. i just cant see how anxiety can cause these probs. e.g. as I type this i'm missing keys and having to go back and correct errors which never happens. Little things like that make the anxiet worse. Time will tell....
Thanks

The EMG is not scary at all. Honestly, you'll be so relieved to be getting it done that you won't care where they stick that needle!! The nerve conduction part was a little uncomfortable, but more than bearable. And honestly, the EMG needles are so small....I didn't even feel them after the first stick. It felt more like a little pressure when inserted. As for prep...my neuro told me no lotions or powder.

I actually had a long conversation with my doctor about the anxiety I was crippled by during this process. I was having all kinds of swallowing/tight throat/lump in throat issues. I even had tongue tremor like crazy. He ordered a modified barium swallow test so that I could see that my throat is working and ease that concern. He also started me on a low dose of Klonopin for the anxiety.

The swallow test was absolutely normal. The tongue stopped tremoring about 2 days into the Klonopin. I fear my anxiety (that I was in denial about) was making my symptoms x1000.

Got my EMG pulled forward to November 14th. Is it a scary procedure?

Yeah all my labs normal but the emg will be key. It's not until May though! Trying to get it brought forward. Never thought I'd be worrying about something like this! When new symptoms keep appearing it very scary. Finding it hard to look forward at the minute but I'm sure all will be OK....

Super scary times. Please let me know how your tests turn out. So far, all of my labs, EMG, MRI have been 'normal'. They are thinking post viral / ME / Fibromyalgia. However, every time I get a new symptom I freak out.

You take care and keep me posted. I'll do the same.

I just commented on the fact that your story was similar to mine, including the virus part. I wished you the best of luck. I think it was deleted as we're not allowed post in other people's threads. I'm going for emg soon so hopefully we'll both be OK. Scary times.