Out of Control Anxiety or Bulbar Onset

Status
Not open for further replies.

NimbusRider

New member
Joined
Jun 6, 2022
Messages
1
Reason
Learn about ALS
Diagnosis
00/0000
Country
US
State
WA
City
Bellingham
Hello everyone, I am a 47 year old male who started noticing strange symptoms about six months ago. It started off with sporadic episodes of having liquid go down the wrong way. This happened maybe 3 to 4 times a week but only once per day. When this started happening I quickly began to think that maybe it could be the very earliest beginnings of bulbar onset. Since then, that has not gotten any worse and actually does not happen as often. However, now I am experiencing some strange sensations in some of my neck muscles. I feel very slight cramping that maybe last a couple of seconds to a few seconds and seems to be worse after I have hiked for 2-4 hours. Everyday I do a swallow test in which I consume about 5-6 oz of water and then wait about a minute to two minutes to see if I cough or feel any water stuck in my throat. I seem to do fine with my self administered swallow test. I do not seem to have any difficulty swallowing but I do notice that after having drank or eaten, I will feel some slight congestion as if there is mucus in my throat and find myself having either cough find a way to release it. I was diagnosed with GERD about 10 years ago and have not really had that treated. The fact that I have some very faint sporadic cramping in my neck muscles and the feeling as if there is some mucus in my throat plus I've noticed a that my neck lines are just the very slightly out of place when I have been taken selfies lately has me worried that I have the very earliest stages of Bulbar onset ALS. I also feel as if there is a very slight lump in my throat. I do not have any slurred speech or difficulty with regular speech but I do notice some very very slight irritation when I intentionally scream really loud or try and project my voice in various tones. When I do notice these irritations, I will cough once or twice. I'm still able to hike and cycle on my days off for a few hours or more each day, but the fact that I'm experiencing strange sensations in my throat area has me very anxious.
 
Hello- please make sure to read here: Read Before Posting We ask that people read this link first before posting and then post if their questions are not answered there already.

Relentless self testing is a sure sign of anxiety, no matter what's going on otherwise. While what you state here does not sound like ALS, is there any reason you haven't been to see a doctor who can actually examine you to put your fears to rest? That's where you should start for any health concern.

Take care.
 
My vote is Door #1. And from two hours south of you, I can attest that the pollen this season has been completely brutal. I've never used so many tissues in my life. It's not just being stuffy during the day, but your sleep can suffer, which makes everything worse.

See a doc. Change your furnace filters. On less pollinated days (though now we are into the grass), open your windows. Stay away from smoke and when you ride, from exhaust fumes.

Best,
Laurie
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top