Limb and tongue concerns

[sanje]

Dear members,
I‘m a 48 year old female with increasingly concerning symptoms that have been developing over the course of two months including a wobbly ankle (no foot drop), weak thumbs, aching hands after activity, muscle twitching and now mouth issues: my tongue is constantly burning and I feel like I’m stumbling over certain words, like I can‘t get sentences out fast without getting cought on a letter. Are those bulbar signs? I read that sensory issues aren‘t related to MND, but the combination of symptoms really worries me. My initial neurology appointment was okay, except some slightly increased reflexes on one side, but the doctor didn’t seem too concerned. Since then my symptoms have worsened however and the tongue issue is new. I also have twitching around my lips. Hoping to schedule an emg appointment soon. My anxiety is very high. Thank you very much in advance for your time and my best to all.

I forgot to say, I also have a very achey jaw, like I’ve been chewing gum for hours…

 

[lgelb]

I'd see a dentist about a bite guard for the jaw. And if you're clenching it in sleep/sleeping with your mouth open, that could be disturbing your sleep, leading to daytime symptoms such as you describe.

So I'd also track sleep with a wearable with an eye toward asking about a sleep study.

I see no reason to worry about MND.

 

[sanje]

Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, the clenching is very possible considering my anxiety levels. I have however also noticed the left side of my mouth is hanging where I have the twitches (mouth is wonky when I smile) and the left side of my tongue is constantly tingling and there seems to be a pronounced dent. I‘m wondering if the tingling is to do with the tongue losing muscle mass. This along with my weak thumbs and ankle makes me very fearful this could be ALS. The neuro I went to only did an emg of my leg that‘s giving me trouble and said it looked fine. He did notice pronounced atrophie in my thenar muscle, but I have compared this with old photos from 10 years ago and always had a very flat palm like that… Do you think I should go back to the neurologist and ask for a more thorough emg? Or could damage maybe not show on emg yet?
Thank you so much.