@lgelb @KimT @Clearwater AL
Update (bad news):
I went to the Physical Therapist for help with the bulging discs. He did a full and much more thorough strength testing regimen than my neurologist did. He tested everything from thigh strength, to ankle, hip, etc. with resistance. Meanwhile my neurologist just asked me to push up against his hand with each leg and said "yep, you're good."
The PT also thoroughly evaluated arm strength: wrist pronation, turning wrist up and down, bicep and tricep strength.
Unfortunately, some of my fears were confirmed...
he (PT) did find that my left ankle was weaker than my right, and my left adductor strength was weaker than my right when facing resistance. Left arm was apparently weaker than the right as well when he asked me to do the arm raise in front and pushed down to test resistance. Similar with triceps. There was a confirmed, NOTICEABLE, strength differential between the two arms.
This all is in line with how I've been feeling wobbly when I walk around. As I understand, the denervation is gradual, and many (most) on here had gradual and progressive weakness until the limb was completely paralyzed.
I am beside myself with panic right now, and don't know what to do. Of late, my swallowing issues have not gone away:
1. When I swallow I feel there's food stuck in my throat
2. If I breathe right as I swallow, I end up almost aspirating on the food
3. When I'm lying on my back I feel I can't "fill up" my lungs as fully and even get a bit lightheaded sometimes
4. I have twitches sporadically on and off around my body, on my face on occasion, and am facing left facial weakness (cannot chew as strongly on the left as I do on the right).
I saw
@Aaronmandevill 's post, and some of his symptoms seem similar to mine. I remember when he first posted, he was told it likely wasn't ALS, but it seemed to be confirmed recently, that he had respiratory onset.
Gotta go back to the neurologist again, or find another one I guess...
Would you suggest I openly express my fear that I have ALS, to the neurologist directly? Or is that a bridge too far and will I not be taken seriously.
