My 89 year old mother, who was in great health, went to the dentist and had a novocaine injection where the jaws meet. She noticed her speech slowing immediately afterward and In 7 months, she has progressed to writing notes and needing a PEG.
I found two other women on a PBP forum who experienced the same thing. One was 57, the other 65. I've corresponded with the 65 year old. She had 5 injections, all in the same area as my mother's; her speech slurred immediately afterward and kept progressing. She is now on a PEG. The 57 year old is also on a feeding tube and has difficulty walking, etc.
We have been to 5 doctors, including a research neurologist, and no one agrees on a diagnosis for my mother. She's had a CT, MRI, blood test for myasthenia gravis, blood test and CTs for a rare cancer/tumors. All have come out normal.
The (rude and confrontational) research neurologist said Cerebellar Atrophy/Ataxia--this diagnosis was given before I had even finished filling out the paperwork and before he read anything sent by the referring dr. Her neurologist totally disagrees.
The neuro-radiologist who conducted the swallow test said he suspected Bulbar Palsy.
Her neurologist said he suspected ALS but said couldn't prove it, so he did NCV and EMG tests. They came out normal.
Every doctor has said there is no connection with the novocaine injection, but after checking my old college biology book I see the lingual nerve follows the curve of the jawline... The 65 year-old and I believe the injections might have started a chain reaction.
I found two other women on a PBP forum who experienced the same thing. One was 57, the other 65. I've corresponded with the 65 year old. She had 5 injections, all in the same area as my mother's; her speech slurred immediately afterward and kept progressing. She is now on a PEG. The 57 year old is also on a feeding tube and has difficulty walking, etc.
We have been to 5 doctors, including a research neurologist, and no one agrees on a diagnosis for my mother. She's had a CT, MRI, blood test for myasthenia gravis, blood test and CTs for a rare cancer/tumors. All have come out normal.
The (rude and confrontational) research neurologist said Cerebellar Atrophy/Ataxia--this diagnosis was given before I had even finished filling out the paperwork and before he read anything sent by the referring dr. Her neurologist totally disagrees.
The neuro-radiologist who conducted the swallow test said he suspected Bulbar Palsy.
Her neurologist said he suspected ALS but said couldn't prove it, so he did NCV and EMG tests. They came out normal.
Every doctor has said there is no connection with the novocaine injection, but after checking my old college biology book I see the lingual nerve follows the curve of the jawline... The 65 year-old and I believe the injections might have started a chain reaction.