I am driving myself crazy

[Anthony P]

I am a 44year old man with a wife and two preteen boys. It all started a few months ago. I was talking to my wife and she said you are slurring your words and u haven't even had a martini. We just laughed and forgot about it. Then in the morning a few days later I woke up went to the local Dunkin Donuts and when I placed my order I couldn't believe it I slurred so bad it sounded like I was mentally retarded. This freaked me out so I got a referral to a neurologist right away. He set me up for MRI of brain and spine and an EEG. All came back negative for MS or stroke etc. However more symptoms have cropped up since. I have this slightly off balance feeling to the left. I am getting slight pains down the side of my legs and the tops of my ankles. I also am getting slight tremors in my calves and feet which I can feel but are not noticable to the naked eye. Please understand none of these symptoms are constant. They all come and go including the slurring. The slurring is usually preceeded by an inability to clear a frog in my throat (feeling of excessive phlegm). With ALS does slurring come and go or remain constant? I presented all these new symtoms to him and he still doesn't think I have ALS. He has set me up for bloodwork and a scan of my carotid artery. And then I have an office visit with him in two weeks. He said he thinks my condition is stress or anxiety related. Believe me I pray this is true but I am going crazy thinking it is ALS. Will the blood test diagnose or rule out ALS? Anybody with any thoughts on this please let me know. Also one other symptom just started today. I have this strange vibrating or buzzing feeling in my right leg. It lasts for a few seconds and doesn't hurt at all. It repeats itself every few minutes for like an hour then stops completely. Again any advice or thought would greatly be appreciated!

 

[joelc]

ALS is a one way road down hill. Symptoms do not come and go. Believe your doctor and put ALS out of your mind.

 

[suzannj]

Hi Anthony,
I just logged on saw your post and know you're probably anxious for any type of feedback so I thought I'd send you a quick message.

There are VERY few 'rules' with respect to ALS, but in my opinion there is one that is fairly constant: It's typically not an easy diagnosis, and you're probably in for a long ride so please try your very best to be as patient as you can. In the beginning my neuro said, "ALS has no test. It's a diagnosis of both time and elimination." And he was spot-on. Time, because if God-forbid someone has ALS, progression of symptoms is inevitable thus making the determination easier. Elimination because there is no test for ALS, but there are tests for the many, many other conditions that share some symptom similarities with ALS.

To answer your question, "Will the blood test diagnose or rule out ALS?" It's two fold really. Will it diagnose ALS?: No, there is no one definitive test for ALS. Everyone wishes there was, but unfortunately a blood test for ALS does not exist. Will it rule out ALS?: That one is a potential Yes. As you proceed through this journey, you will learn that there are MANY differentials for ALS, and some of them can indeed be diagnosed with a blood test.

Use the Forum's "Search" function. Type in key words and you'll see tons of information. Be careful though when reading, many folks who are worried they may have ALS post a myriad of symptoms so if you see someone describing something very similar to what you're experiencing, don't assume they have an ALS diagnosis and get upset. I'm sure you'll received other replies, just be patient.

Hope this helped, take great care,
Suzann

 

[rose]

Hi Anthony,

You will be amazed at the many reasons it will turn out that can be the cause of word slurring, and the other symptoms you described.

Even though, as Joel said, ALS is a progressive disease, I do feel at the beginning, especially with upper motor neuron symptoms, they can seem to wax and wane, for example a person may find that their speech is fine unless they're tired, or have had something to drink which will make it more pronounced, and then, as time passes the slurring may become more of a daily occurrence, and so forth. Most ALS symptoms are made worse by fatigue and stress, but that is also true of many many other conditions.

One disease that can cause this is myasthenia gravis, even though it too can be quite hard to pin down as a diagnosis, it is a treatable illness.

Unless you have a text book presentation, be prepared that no matter what it is causing this, it will probably take a while to get to the bottom of. ~ By "a while" I'm talking in the several months category, not several doctor appointments.

As far as resources here on the forum, as Suzann suggested, there is the search function. Also, at the top of this forum page (the "do I have ALS, is this ALS" forum) there is a sticky at the very top which has information for you showing what is needed to for an ALS diagnosis, it will give you an idea of the many tests needed, and how even if one test could be diagnostic of ALS, there are many more needed, no single test can stand alone.

Good luck to you, and welcome to the forum.

ps, not to make light of such a serious subject, but Dunkin Donuts sounds really good right about now!

 

[Zaphoon]

How about a nice French crueler, Boston creme filled and cup of coffee from Dunkin?