JodiR
Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2022
- Messages
- 21
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- WI
- City
- Milwaukee
Hi, everyone.
February 2021, I started to have intermittent slurring that has lasted for 18 months. I have no limb weakness or tremors.
In April 2021, my GP ordered an MRI. Came out clean. In May 2021 I was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer, so I put a hold on the slurring speech problem (lumpectomy and radiation--doing great now!).
In January 2022, I did a barium swallow test. Everything came out great! No issues.
In April, 2022, my speech wasn't getting any better, so my GP felt that I may have silent reflux. He prescribed me protonix and sent me to an ENT.
In May 2022, the ENT did a laryngoscopy of my. Cords, etc. in tact-no lesions. the ENT "diagnosed" me with dysarthria and told me to see a speech therapist. The ENT said, if the speech therapist doesn't help you, I will refer you to a neurologist.
June 1, 2022, I had my initial visit with the speech therapist today. She evaluated me and kept shaking her head. My swallowing was fine, my speech wasn't "horrible" and she even said that some things were great. My tongue is VERY weak, however. She gave me a bunch of exercises to do (which I definitely will do--I'm a rule follower). She feels that I will be able to strengthen my tongue which will, in turn, help improve my speech.
My hard/soft palate are in tact.
I have videoed my tongue several times looking for fasciculations (sp). I see them when my tongue is stretched out, but do not see them when my tongue is at rest.
I will pose this question to the "experts" all of YOU... After 18 months of only speech issues and no limb issues (i.e., weakness, clumsiness, tremors, etc.), do you think this is bulbar ALS? I asked the speech therapist and she said, "Let's not make that jump."
Thoughts on an ALS or Bulbar ALS diagnosis?
Thank you!
February 2021, I started to have intermittent slurring that has lasted for 18 months. I have no limb weakness or tremors.
In April 2021, my GP ordered an MRI. Came out clean. In May 2021 I was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer, so I put a hold on the slurring speech problem (lumpectomy and radiation--doing great now!).
In January 2022, I did a barium swallow test. Everything came out great! No issues.
In April, 2022, my speech wasn't getting any better, so my GP felt that I may have silent reflux. He prescribed me protonix and sent me to an ENT.
In May 2022, the ENT did a laryngoscopy of my. Cords, etc. in tact-no lesions. the ENT "diagnosed" me with dysarthria and told me to see a speech therapist. The ENT said, if the speech therapist doesn't help you, I will refer you to a neurologist.
June 1, 2022, I had my initial visit with the speech therapist today. She evaluated me and kept shaking her head. My swallowing was fine, my speech wasn't "horrible" and she even said that some things were great. My tongue is VERY weak, however. She gave me a bunch of exercises to do (which I definitely will do--I'm a rule follower). She feels that I will be able to strengthen my tongue which will, in turn, help improve my speech.
My hard/soft palate are in tact.
I have videoed my tongue several times looking for fasciculations (sp). I see them when my tongue is stretched out, but do not see them when my tongue is at rest.
I will pose this question to the "experts" all of YOU... After 18 months of only speech issues and no limb issues (i.e., weakness, clumsiness, tremors, etc.), do you think this is bulbar ALS? I asked the speech therapist and she said, "Let's not make that jump."
Thoughts on an ALS or Bulbar ALS diagnosis?
Thank you!