Hi All,
Thanks for the responses, I understand that it doesn't sound like ALS and am willing to take the feedback from the group. Once I have had the NCS and EMG then seen the neurologist again hopefully it will put my mind at rest. If he does give me the all clear then I will certainly be speaking with my PCP about CBT therapy etc as I do fully understand I do have anxiety (whether or not this is another server episode we will know soon).
As I'm sure your all aware someone with Anxiety can make tedious links that mean nothing and put them to the forefront of your mind as being a sign of "this is the end", I dont want to go to the neurologist with a load of half baked questions and so I would like to ask for advice, I understand this isn't a therapy group and that a lot of the forum member can become frustrated with people who just wont accept they have a full life ahead of them so If I come across like this I apologise and feel free to ignore any of these questions and pass on by this thread, however any answers would be helpful.
As noted I am scheduled for the NCS and EMG in a few days, I am unsure of exactly where they are going to test so I'd like to know, if ALS presented in the bulbar region and say the left leg was tested with an EMG/NCS, would this still show on the tests or could it be missed, should I be speaking with my neuro prior to the test and ensuring that the Bulbar region is tested or does this not matter?
In bulbar, is it typical to have symptoms that present Bi-laterally? for instance I feel that I am drooling from both corners of my mouth, no physical drool comes out however both corners of my mouth do seem to be 'moister' and I find myself wiping away the excess moisture multiple times per day. Also in terms of drooling is this generally an early symptom or late symptom? Does it come from excess saliva or weak mouth muscles? What would be the symptoms of weak mouth muscles, I find that when I smile with my mouth closed that I have two distinct gaps between my bottom and top lip at the corners of my mouth (almost like popeye) which seems like I have weak muscles on either corner of my mouth. Do you actually have muscles in your lip? Is there even such a thing as facial muscle involvement in bulbar onset or is it generally the tounge, swallowing etc that are effected?
Is there any specific questions that I should be asking my neuro other than the obvious I.E Is it ALS? If not what? etc
Again apologies if these seems like the rambling of an anxiety ridden moron (I certainly hope they are), please, if I am frustrating anyone you do not need to answer but any answers that could help me narrow down my ramblings to the neuro would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Darren