PatientsLikeMe ™

  My father's  fisrt symptoms were slurring of his speech and coughing while eating. His speech became more difficult to understand. This lasted for about ten years before other symptoms appeared, such as, falling, weakness in his legs and difficulty swallowing. He was diagnosed with spastic bulbar palsy(related to or a form of ALS)at the Mayo clinic in 1992. His muscles became weaker(especially the legs and he used a walker or wheelchair to get around. He died of a heart attack 18 years after his first symptoms appeared.

  My sister was diagnosed with a motor neuron disease from Duke. She has speech problems (slurring and poor articulation). The diagnosis was pseudobulbar palsy, a progressive motor neuron disease related to ALS. She has had symptoms for years in the bulbar region with mainly speech issues and some hand weakness.
 My symptoms started a few years after my sister's symptoms.

Emotional laughing and crying have become a problem. I am currently on medication to help these symptoms. If any one has similar symptoms of the slow progression that starts with poor speech, PLEASE CONTACT ME. We are having a difficult time finding patients who have the same slow progression when it starts in the bulbar region.

Just recently 9/2010 I had to start using a walker in public places because of the anxiety over falling (my gait is unsteady and balance is off).

  I am glad I found a place where others can understand. Together we can make a difference.  One day at a time Huh?