Recent content by Lotjo

Had the regular barium swallow / esophogram. The doc who did it told me it wasn't going to show anything in the throat area - only the esophogous, and that it was primarily looking for obstructions / ruling out reflux. Of course it came back clear. My symptoms showed no improvement after a month...

Getting worse everyday. Not looking good.

I had my ENT follow-up. Voice is still hoarse (on & off) and weaker. Swallowing still feels odd. Lots of coughing up phlegm from my lungs which seems worse in the mornings. They ruled out reflux after a month on meds without any improvement. They ordered a barium swallow, chest x-ray & sinus...

Neuro said maybe bfs. I just started having speaking issues (weak, hoarse voice) with odd swallowing sensation at my last follow up with the neuro and he wouldn't look at it. Referred me to an ent who is treating me for reflux but it hasn't helped. I'm just getting tired and scared.

I have experienced stiffness and pain in my calf muscles for over 7 months. EMG 4 months ago was clean. Passed the neuro test & didn't show Babinski sign. Out of nowhere a week or so ago the stiffness is gone. Now they just feel a little weak and gimpy. The left calf where it started definitely...

thanks for the help Rose. I go back to the ENT on Wed. Hopefully I'll learn more about what's going on with me.

i actually started with stiffness & sorness in the calf. That and fatigue started as my only symptoms. The neuro did the emg there and because it showed nothing he didn't want to test anywhere else. My last appointment i wanted to show him my throat and he didn't think it was worth doing because...

What tests are used to diagnose UMN speech impairment? Do you have to have symptoms in limbs as well? Do you have to show Babinski sign? My symptoms started in one calf with stiffness & pain, then the other, then problems with forming a word or two here & there to now full-time hoarse/weak...

Thanks Rose - you are always so thoughtful and compassionate in your replies. What is your take on the issue I have with a really low sagging soft palate? When I open my mouth without saying "Ahhh" you can't even see my uvula. My soft palate touched my tongue in the back. If I just had the...

Rose - I appreciate your advice. I certainly know I "don't want this." I have been taking prilosec as prescribed by my ENT for 3 weeks with no improvement. I've been taking zyrtec for possible allergies but it hasn't helped much other than making it a little easier to sleep. My voice has become...

Rose, is constant post nasal drip common with bulbar? I have that along with a weaker more hoarse voice than normal and my jaws get tired after a lot of chewing. No problems getting food or liquids down but I do feel an odd feeling when swallowing without food / drink.

Thanks Joel. That's interesting. I was pretty physically fit until about 4 or 5 months ago. All of a sudden I just couldn't exercise very hard. Everything seemed harder to do and I was wiped out afterward. I used to be able to run 3 miles without stopping now I'm exhausted after walking 2. My...

Rox, thank you for the reply. Did your symptoms come on suddenly or was it a slow gradual process? I'm sorry if I sounded like I was whining. Maybe it's because I was whining. God bless you sister.

Ugghh. Went for a slow easy walk last night - about 2 miles - to relieve some stress and get a little fresh air. My calf muscles didn't hurt but did tighthen up quite a bit and I noticed my right shoulder, neck / trapezius muscle feeling heavy and tired by the end of my walk - but not the left...

Bless you Aly. Thanks for the encouragement.