Hi there
I’m feeling extremely concerned about MND, I have read the section on symptoms (thank you so much for that whoever created it, such a useful thread).
I’m 40 this month, mother of 3 young kids and since October I’ve been having some strange symptoms which doctors can’t get to the bottom of.
I started having issues with temperature regulation, night sweats and hot flashes. I had hormone tests done and all came back as normal. I have regular cycles so gynae said he very much doubts its perimenopause. I was referred to an endocrinologist and neurologist. Brain MRI is normal, Neuro exam was normal and endocrinologist tested for some rare cancers that can cause flushing (awaiting these results but he’s almost certain they’ll be negative). He has said he thinks my heat dysregulation is down to an autonomic issue of unknown origin, possibly Covid (although I didn’t have an infection before symptoms started).
Around the same time as the heat dysregulation started, gastro issues appeared- acid reflux and excessive belching.
I have also had sinus issues since this started and post nasal drip. Blocked ear.
I feel like I have excessive saliva, which I’m constantly swallowing.
I can’t remember when this started but at least for the last few months I’ve felt a slight weakness in my left hand. It’s almost as if it’s a bit stiff (base of thumb muscle) and awkward picking up small objects. Since I’ve focussed on it it now feels crampy. I am anxious so aware this could be me fixating on it.
Finally, I’ve found myself stuttering more in the last few months too. I wouldn’t say it’s a slur as much as a stutter.
So my questions, further to the symptoms thread I’ve read are-
1. I’ve read a lot of ALS patients have dysautonomia, how many people get it as a first symptom? And is heat dysregulation common?
2. Gastro issues can be part of dysautonomia. Is this a common sign of ALS?
3. I’ve read about excess mucus. Can this show up as a post nasal drip/sinus issues
4. I read that excess saliva isn’t an initial symptom. Is it that the mouth produces more or that the trouble swallowing makes the saliva pool. Can you have issues with saliva and no awareness of trouble swallowing?
5. Does the hand sound like ALS?
6. Can ALS present as stuttering?
7. What is the risk for a 40 year old woman with no family history?
Finally, my neurology said she thinks ALS is very unlikely, but I worry that’s because she sees me an anxious patient (which I am).
Thank you so much for all you do to help this community and people like me who are struggling with anxiety around this.
Very best wishes
Lucy
I’m feeling extremely concerned about MND, I have read the section on symptoms (thank you so much for that whoever created it, such a useful thread).
I’m 40 this month, mother of 3 young kids and since October I’ve been having some strange symptoms which doctors can’t get to the bottom of.
I started having issues with temperature regulation, night sweats and hot flashes. I had hormone tests done and all came back as normal. I have regular cycles so gynae said he very much doubts its perimenopause. I was referred to an endocrinologist and neurologist. Brain MRI is normal, Neuro exam was normal and endocrinologist tested for some rare cancers that can cause flushing (awaiting these results but he’s almost certain they’ll be negative). He has said he thinks my heat dysregulation is down to an autonomic issue of unknown origin, possibly Covid (although I didn’t have an infection before symptoms started).
Around the same time as the heat dysregulation started, gastro issues appeared- acid reflux and excessive belching.
I have also had sinus issues since this started and post nasal drip. Blocked ear.
I feel like I have excessive saliva, which I’m constantly swallowing.
I can’t remember when this started but at least for the last few months I’ve felt a slight weakness in my left hand. It’s almost as if it’s a bit stiff (base of thumb muscle) and awkward picking up small objects. Since I’ve focussed on it it now feels crampy. I am anxious so aware this could be me fixating on it.
Finally, I’ve found myself stuttering more in the last few months too. I wouldn’t say it’s a slur as much as a stutter.
So my questions, further to the symptoms thread I’ve read are-
1. I’ve read a lot of ALS patients have dysautonomia, how many people get it as a first symptom? And is heat dysregulation common?
2. Gastro issues can be part of dysautonomia. Is this a common sign of ALS?
3. I’ve read about excess mucus. Can this show up as a post nasal drip/sinus issues
4. I read that excess saliva isn’t an initial symptom. Is it that the mouth produces more or that the trouble swallowing makes the saliva pool. Can you have issues with saliva and no awareness of trouble swallowing?
5. Does the hand sound like ALS?
6. Can ALS present as stuttering?
7. What is the risk for a 40 year old woman with no family history?
Finally, my neurology said she thinks ALS is very unlikely, but I worry that’s because she sees me an anxious patient (which I am).
Thank you so much for all you do to help this community and people like me who are struggling with anxiety around this.
Very best wishes
Lucy