Does this sound like ALS?
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patricia1
Very helpful member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2006
- Messages
- 1,171
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 7/1999
- Country
- US
- State
- newjersey
- City
- lopatcong NJ
I know you must be frightened .The best l can tell you is start with your primary have him refer you to a als specialist and get answers .you have a laundry list of symptoms .Write them down and bring them with you with all your medications vitamins and herbal supplements you may be taking .Which by the way l found very important when patients came in the ofice
And see as many doctors until you get peace .
Good luck Pat
And see as many doctors until you get peace .
Good luck Pat
wishingwell
Member
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- Dec 22, 2011
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- 13
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- AUS
- State
- Victoria
- City
- Melbourne
Hey guys,
I've just got a quick update, and I think it's fair to say that I'm now particularly worried.
In the last week or two, I've noticed that I am actually having some swallowing difficulties. Basically, I almost constantly have an oversupply of saliva in my mouth. I try to swallow it down, but it always seems to return. This makes it uncomfortable for me to talk, because I'm worried that I'll just spit it all out. A couple of times, drool has gotten to the edge of my mouth, but I have wiped this away. Further to that, I also have the sensation of something being stuck in my throat, and when I eat things like muesli bars, some of it almost always gets stuck in the back of my throat, so I have to bring it back up to swallow it again... Also, despite the oversupply of saliva, I'm finding that I'm always having to clear my throat before talking, or after eating. I have had GERD in the past, and I even have some of it now, but this has generally manifested itself in my esophagus, I haven't had a seeming oversupply of saliva in my mouth. Lastly, I wouldn't say that I have "slurred speech", but articulating myself has been more difficult due in part to the oversupply of saliva/having to clear my throat, and my voice tends to break up more often, especially when talking softly. It is also almost always hoarse these days.
Also, I had an MRI on my cervical and lumbar spine, and both came back normal (well, my GP determined that he didn't need to see me about it), which is good news, I suppose. But I am still concerned that there is something going on, so I will be going back to see him.
Finally, I am still having twitches and tremors all over my body, as well as hyperactive reflexes (at least I think so). These twitches and tremors are mainly in my left leg (mainly calf), and I have also had an outer calf cramp for around 3 or 4 weeks.
Like I said, I will be going back to the doctor tomorrow, but should I should be worried about any of these things from an ALS perspective?
I've just got a quick update, and I think it's fair to say that I'm now particularly worried.
In the last week or two, I've noticed that I am actually having some swallowing difficulties. Basically, I almost constantly have an oversupply of saliva in my mouth. I try to swallow it down, but it always seems to return. This makes it uncomfortable for me to talk, because I'm worried that I'll just spit it all out. A couple of times, drool has gotten to the edge of my mouth, but I have wiped this away. Further to that, I also have the sensation of something being stuck in my throat, and when I eat things like muesli bars, some of it almost always gets stuck in the back of my throat, so I have to bring it back up to swallow it again... Also, despite the oversupply of saliva, I'm finding that I'm always having to clear my throat before talking, or after eating. I have had GERD in the past, and I even have some of it now, but this has generally manifested itself in my esophagus, I haven't had a seeming oversupply of saliva in my mouth. Lastly, I wouldn't say that I have "slurred speech", but articulating myself has been more difficult due in part to the oversupply of saliva/having to clear my throat, and my voice tends to break up more often, especially when talking softly. It is also almost always hoarse these days.
Also, I had an MRI on my cervical and lumbar spine, and both came back normal (well, my GP determined that he didn't need to see me about it), which is good news, I suppose. But I am still concerned that there is something going on, so I will be going back to see him.
Finally, I am still having twitches and tremors all over my body, as well as hyperactive reflexes (at least I think so). These twitches and tremors are mainly in my left leg (mainly calf), and I have also had an outer calf cramp for around 3 or 4 weeks.
Like I said, I will be going back to the doctor tomorrow, but should I should be worried about any of these things from an ALS perspective?
trfogey
Very helpful member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2008
- Messages
- 2,043
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2007
- Country
- US
- State
- NC
- City
- Raleigh
You shouldn't be worried about anything from an ALS perspective unless and until a real flesh-and-blood doctor tells you that you might have ALS. If that hasn't happened yet, you are wasting your time and scaring yourself needlessly by trying to fit your symptoms into the ALS mold.
Good luck.
TedH5
Very helpful member
- Joined
- May 17, 2010
- Messages
- 1,142
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2010
- Country
- US
- State
- GA
- City
- McDonough
It is not that I do not want to answer your question it is that I can't. The fact that your MRI was clean just means there is no pinched nerve or herniated disk etc causing your issues. There are still many things besides ALS that be the culprit causing your symptoms. Let the Dr's tell you what is going on because we are not qualified to do so.
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