Could I have ALS - 9 weeks pregnant

I developed my first symptom in late March of 2011. I was eating a gooey candy (small pieces) and I guess I didn't chew it correctly or something because I ended up choking with my airway completely blocked. I was able to pass the candy and breathe but the scare was pretty traumatizing. A couple of weeks later I was eating corn and once again I choked with my airway completely closed. The choking episodes were so scary that I ended up eating nothing but milkshakes for a week for fear of choking again. I stopped eating when I was by myself, I avoided food that was small and sticky, and I always made sure to chew slowly and carefully. Well I even ended up going to the ER once because I was having trouble swallowing my own saliva. So from March - August this whole choking/swallowing problems continued.
Now I've become very careful when I eat, If I am really hungry I can't just start devouring my food.. I've learned to chew slowly and VERY carefully. Thank God I've not choked on anything except my saliva a few times. I've realized that I can't eat pears, apples, corn in the cob, or anything that requires a good amount of chewing because my muscles get tired and I'm more likely to choke. My speech is bad too; people say I mumble or that I don't enunciate words. It's a problem at work but I've managed.

I thought the chewing/swallowing/speech problem was BAD but manageable until new symptoms developed in the middle of September. I started getting twitches all over my body. It started with the arms and legs. I now have twitches ALL OVER my body. I get around 100+ twitches a day. Sometimes the twitches stay in one spot like yesterday I had one in my shoulder that lasted for about 15 minutes but they come and go. The fasiculations combined with the swallowing problems are scary enough to make me wonder... I have insurance now so I can go to the neurologist but now that i am 9 weeks pregnant it worries me that testing and diagnosis will be delayed because of this. I am scared that new symptoms will start developing. I am really scared.

I have an appointment next week with the neurologist but I am scared that he will send me home with antidepressants or some shit like that. DOCTORS DON'T LISTEN!
Do you think I have ALS?

Wait for your appointment. It could be anything. Do you have any other symptoms?

1. Trouble swallowing/chewing/speaking
2. Fasiculations
3. Chest feels tighter when I breathe.

Wait for your appointment Dear. We can't diagnosis you here. It very well could be something treatable. ALS has many symptoms and what you've described could be one of many many other things. It could just be a problem with your esophigus. Everybody twitches, most don't notice it. Tell the Neuro what your thinking and experiencing and they'll most likely do an EMG and a Nerve Conduction study. Most of all stay calm or they will think your nuts.

I'm praying for you and your little one. Please, let us know how your doctor's appointment goes! Hand in there and wait until your doctor sees you.

Thank you! Appointment is not until Friday of next week.

It doesn't sound like ALS to me. The swallowing problems you shared are not those of someone with ALS. It's typically liquids that give someone with ALS problems, initially. Furthermore, bodywide twitches as you describe are not an intial symptom of ALS.

Please let your physicians do the diagnosing for you. If your physician doesn't listen to you (most of them actually do), then go to another physician. Take care and keep us informed.

Zaranataly said:

I have an appointment next week with the neurologist but I am scared that he will send me home with antidepressants or some shit like that. DOCTORS DON'T LISTEN!
Do you think I have ALS?

Click to expand...

That may very well happen, but probably won't. And the number of patients who exaggerate or lie about their condition so that they can get seen sooner or to receive preferential treatment from a doctor probably exceeds the number of doctors who don't listen.

And to answer your question, no, I don't think you have ALS.

Zaranataly said:

1. Trouble swallowing/chewing/speaking
2. Fasiculations
3. Chest feels tighter when I breathe.

Click to expand...

And to comment on your symptom list, the eating disorders you mention are more consistent with an obtructive disorder of the mouth and throat. The fasciculations characteristic of ALS don't come on as quickly, as widespread, or as violently as you've described. The tightness in your chest should be looked at by a specialist as quickly as possible to rule out possible lung or heart problems.

Good luck to you.

Please wait to hear back from your doctor. There are A LOT of diseases that mimmic ALS, but they are nearly all treatable.

This does not sound like ALS. Let your Dr's see if they find something. Honestly I know you do not want to hear this but it could be anxiety. Especially that heaviness in your chest when you breathe. That being said I am not a Dr. So see what yours tells you. Best of luck!

I am not a physician either; but will give you my advice. The symptoms you describe above do NOT sound like ALS. Also, when you are pregnant, your body goes through many changes. Your blood vessels dilate so that your baby receives the proper nutrients. There are many changes going on with your body right now. And my best advice to you would be to step away from the computer and don't go looking for trouble. Enjoy the gift that GOD has given you. When and if the time comes that you need us, we will be here with open arms. Much Love to you and your little one,

To add, you are also only 9 weeks pregnant...if any testing is to be done for anything, it should be done now so it doesn't get too complicated later in your pregnancy. I assume you have had your appt. by now with the neuro? Thoughts from them?

If you haven't already, ask for a nose, throat, (ENT) specialist for your swallowing problems.

I think I'd start with my GP and ask for a referral to an ENT specialist. The chest tightness feeling, believe it or not, could be severe heartburn. It's also possible with GERD to inflame your esophagus which is painful.

Sleep propped up. With docs permission--since you're pregnant, ask what kind of antacid you might try.

Slurred speech that someone ELSE notices could be an issue--but it's way too early to even be thinking of ALS. I'm betting the twitches are Being caused by the anxiety of your worry about ALS.