Bulbar mnd/als

[Cae77]

Hi everyone ,thanks for takeing your time to read my post.
About 5 months ago I started to get all over muscle fasiculation, I have visited the neurologist about 3 weeks ago and he did a physical examination and could find no sign of weakness or muscle atrophy ,he said that he dose not thinck it is mnd /Als I have also had extensive blood work carried out and all came back clear ,2 weeks ago started to have problems swallowing food and sometimes have to drink fluids to wash food down ,I have also started to have sinus clicking and fasiculation all over my face ,I'm a fit and very active 43 year old male ,and I am worried that this could be start of bulbar mnd ,I have never had health issues until this started.thanks again for reading this post.

 

[lgelb]

It is very unlikely that if you were strong everywhere 3 weeks ago, that things got so much worse a week later. I would set the "all over" stuff aside and think about the swallowing as its own thing. So things to try on that score include treatment for dry mouth (there are sprays, and hydration helps), thinking about GERD, trying a nasal steroid, seeing an ENT if things get worse.

Best,
Laurie

 

[Cae77]

Hi laurie
Thanks for reply,when I drink fluids theres a gurgling noise in throat ,and it feels as if water is going to come back up,also noticed burping as soon as I've had drink or eaten ,I have no slurring of words ,I'm a ex British soldier so I have a strong mental attitude to things ,but I'm worried that this could be bulbar mnd , I will speak to neurologist next week, I dont like pestering people and comeing across as a hypochondriac, just very concerned about this ,once again thanks for reading my message.

 

[Cae77]

Hi ,
My swallowing seems to be worse today ,burns soon as I've eaten or taken fluids, worried it could be start of bulbar als .any advice is very appreciated.

God bless you .

 

[Nikki J]

Laurie had previously mentioned gerd. Burning sounds like that- not like ALS. Consider an over the counter antacid treatment. See your doctor if you are worried but that is not an ALS symptom

 

[Cae77]

Sorry nikki
I meant burp not burn ,I've already seen neurologist nearly 4 weeks ago ,he carried out physical examination and I had bloods carried out they were all clear, but I've not had any emg which I will be asking for this week, I've never had health issues in my life until the muscle fasiculation started 5 months ago then the swallowing issue started 2 weeks ago ,i cant swallow my saliva properly it takes a couple of attempts ,sinuses are clicking and cant sneeze, like i said on my last post, I'm a ex British soldier and have broad shoulders, I'm just very worried this could be start of bulbar Al's,
Thanks for takeing time to reply ,it is very appreciated, and my apologies for my poor spelling.

God bless

 

[lgelb]

Burping can be related to GERD as well. Blocked sinuses can be allergies, a sinus infection, or a tumor, among other things. Again, none of that is neurological.

 

[Cae77]

Many thanks laurie

Just very worried at moment, I've booked a docs appointment this morning and have spoken to my neurologist he doesn't thinck mnd

I would just like to say ,that I salute you guys who take the time to reply and are battling mnd yourselves.

Many thanks

God bless

 

[Cae77]

Hi ,just update, spoke to gp and they have given me nasal spray for clicking sinuses, I still have issues swallowing food ,its going down bit it feels like the last bits are getting stuck so its takeing 3-4 attempts to go down ,fluids are ok , neck seems very stiff at moment at the back when I put my chin on my chest ,I've spoken to neurologist he doesn't thinck i need emg test ,I'm still very concerned about bulbar mnd ,still have all over fasiculations.

Many thanks
All the best.

 

[Cae77]

Hi everyone
I would like to say thankyou to everyone for takeing time to read this post.
As I have said in previous post about my symptoms concerning bulbar mnd /Al's
I'm still having swallowing problems with food it takes up to.4 attempts to swallow certain foods ,fluids are ok ,saliva a bit harder to swallow than fluids, still fasiculation all over body and face ,I've been back to my gp and suggested I see a ent ,my neurologist has said that problems swallowing is not a intiall symptom bulbar Als and that I dont need a emg ,my bloods a clinical workup were good , I've had a mri and tiny t2 hyperintensity has shown ,which the doctor who looked at the mri results has said there is no concern there , in the last 48 hours my voice has started to become strained and my left ankle has small vibrations or buzzing feeling going on ,I'm stuck what to do next , should i demand emg test ,and do.my symptoms sound like bulbar mnd.

Once again folks
Many thanks for reading this post

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello-

It really sounds like you're struggling with some serious anxiety about ALS specifically. I'd like to point out that your doctor and a neurologist both state your issues do not indicate ALS and the neuro has refused further emg exploration. It's not clear what you're looking for from this forum, as you've been cleared of ALS by a medical expert who can examine you in person and is trained to detect issues- are you thinking the folk here will confirm your fears and counter what 2 doctors have stated?

Two of the most experienced people here have also stated this does not sound like any onset of ALS they know and suggested some other things it might be. It would be unwise to persist in pursuing ALS when you have already been given advice here and been assessed by a specialist and cleared of that disease. Please understand that only your medical care provider can help you sort out what's going on- this forum can not replace that sort of care. It's recommended you also ask for some support for your anxiety while you look for answers.

Take care

 

[Cae77]

Hi

Many thanks for the reply ,I'm just worried about these symptoms at moment, I have never been ill before ,and I never let things worry me ,but for some reason these symptoms have , I respect the comments that the other 2 members have made and I have the upmost respect for people who have this cruel disease and are willing to offer good sound advice to people like myself who may be showing symptoms of mnd, I served in the British army as a infantry soldier and trained physically hard every day for the many years I served so I know when theres a serious issue with my body ,not a sniff or a cold I just feel that I need further tests by my neurologist with a emg but he said I dont need it.

I will not pester this forum.again.
My up.most respect and I salute you all.
All the very best.

 

[Cae77]

Hi
I did say I would not post any more on this forum, I have tried to get ent appointment but because of uk lockdown it will be in new year , my swallowing is getting a lot worse and food is getting stuck at back of throat ,not all food ,mainly starche types and fruit ,do you thinck it would be wise to get a emg test in view of on going symptoms, fluids are ok but saliva is problematic, just very worried that initial symptoms of bulbar mnd, once again thankyou for takeing the time to read this post .

Many thanks.
Craig

 

[lgelb]

Craig, have you done any of what we did suggest? An EMG wasn't on the list. Instead, we recommended addressing your health anxiety, trying a nasal steroid, screening for GERD with your PCP, staying hydrated (including drinking while you eat) etc. Those are things that might actually help you. Chasing a test that your doctors do not think is needed, will not.

It is not helping you get better to come here and add symptoms in an effort to get us to say that you have ALS or need an EMG.

 

[Cae77]

Many thanks for reply
I have indeed done what you advised ,nasal spray ,and ent appointment is booked for January, I do not wish for anyone to say I have als/mnd and I absolutely have up most respect for you for replying ,I just that my swallowing is getting worse, I drinking at least 2-3 water a day ,and 1 weak coffee with breakfast, I went onto mnd association website uk ,and on there symptoms for bulbar mnd is swallowing issues and muscle faciculation, that's why I asked if it was wise for emg test .I'm sorry if I've upset or offended any one,its just I've never been ill before, and normally I've a fairly robust mental attitude to things ,but this has really got me worried.

God bless
Craig