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Shatzie

Active member
Joined
Nov 12, 2007
Messages
86
Reason
PALS
Diagnosis
02/2008
Country
US
State
OK
City
Tulsa
I have had difficulty with speech since the end of July. Sometimes it is moderately slurred like I've had a couple of drinks or a strong pain pill. The rest of the time it is mildly slurred, I feel like I now have a lisp. Then about six weeks ago I started having foot drops. I fell hard a week ago, my foot just went out from under me. I've had an MRI and a full blood workup, all negative. I will be seeing a neurologist Nov. 28. Both a friend who is a paramedic and another who is a physical therapist mentioned ALS when I described my symptoms. Did anyone here who has ALS start with speech symptoms?
 
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Mine did, for about 6 mo. they thought it was MG at
first.

Davis
 
Bulbar ALS will usually start with slurred speech, swallowing problems. Look in the search section under bulbar or at the bottom of this page there are some old threads discussing it.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope it turns out to be something treatable. If it helps, only an ALS clinic can tell for sure. My local docs thought I had ALS but the clinic is holding off until I meet more criteria. Maybe you and I will both be lucky! Cindy
 
Hi--
You write that you are seeing a neurologist on November 28. You should verify that this neurologist specializes in neuromuscular diseases.

Best,
Jeff
 
Thanks for your replies. I looked up the bulbar symptoms and learned more. Apparently the excessive yawning that I have been having for the past few weeks is also a symptom, and I had felt some spasms in my tongue, but had not connected it to the other symptoms.

I do not know if the neuro I am going to is a specialist in neuromuscular diseases. But he was a professor of neuro when my GP was in medical school, and my GP thinks he is a genius, for whatever that is worth.
 
slurred speech

My husband had problems with his bulbar right from the start,when he would raise his voice he would sound drunk or something it was kinda weird,he had trouble with chewing and swallowing his food because his tonuge doesnt work right anymore,he said it feels his jaw gets tired all the time,this started in oct of 2007,then shortly after that he noticed his right foot was stiff and he had a hard time walking up the stairs of our house,he has to keep his running shoes on durning the day he said it helps him to walk better..He moves very slowy I watch him change everyday he was a weight lifter before all this he could squat 300 pounds,and now his mucels are shrinking in his leg,our dr measured his legs and showed us the diffrence..I guess the answer to your question yes my husband had trouble with his speech right from the start..
 
I have had difficulty with speech since the end of July. Sometimes it is moderately slurred like I've had a couple of drinks or a strong pain pill. The rest of the time it is mildly slurred, I feel like I now have a lisp. Then about six weeks ago I started having foot drops. I fell hard a week ago, my foot just went out from under me. I've had an MRI and a full blood workup, all negative. I will be seeing a neurologist Nov. 28. Both a friend who is a paramedic and another who is a physical therapist mentioned ALS when I described my symptoms. Did anyone here who has ALS start with speech symptoms?

Yes I started with slurred speech 8 years ago
 
my father's started with speech. symptoms first noticed in august 2003, finally diagnosed in july 2004, and passed in december 2007. his fingers were affected, but it did not progress to his arms or legs. It was mainly speaking, swallowing (choking) and breathing. hope this helps.
 
sorry, I meant to say that he passed in december 2004, only 6 months after diagnosis.
 
Slurred Speech

My husband has the slurred speech,sometimes worse than others,especially when he's tired. His chest muscles have been checked and remain strong. He also coughs when he's eating at times. His voice also has a tendency to sound nasally. I've also heard the neurologist mention this when assessing him. Is this a form of Bulbar?
 
slurring

Hi I too started with slurred speech I sounded like I was drunk then I had balance issues now swallowing is affected i was diagnosed Oct. 2007
 
Slurred Speech

My wife's first symptoms were slightly slurred speech and difficulties swallowing and that was 2.5 years ago. She is still going strong and remaining very positive. Keep up a PMA, Positive Mental Attitude. I know at times this will very difficult but PMA does help.
Out thought are with you.
Mark
 
My mom's started with slurred speech, almost like she had a stroke. Almost from the start I had her carry a note with her while driving in case you would get pulled over to avoid any hassle - just a thought - my prayers are with you.
 
I had the slurred speech for 1 & 1/2 yrs before diagnosed in Mar 07. Now the choking and uncontroled emotional problems make me sometimes speech less. I also carry a card to show the police in case of traffic stop. It helps to have two members of the family in law enforcement locally. Have you heard of the EPI card. It has a bar code that the EMTs can look up, via computer, your rx, diagnosed, Dr. and understand why you may not be able to speak. Especially helps if your taken to a unfamilar hospital. The Doctor will have quick info. Good Luck and God Bless. I hope it is treatable. Sherry
 
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