I've had one sided tongue problems for many years. Every neuro I've ever had wasn't too concerned. I, as well as the neuros, figured it was some sort of tongue spasm. My speech has
been affected mildly for years, but in the past years, it's gotten much worse.
The idea of botox, if it was a spasm, was talked about, but not investigated because most of the neuros thought the side effects, i.e. swallowing issues, could be a bigger problem than the spasm.
So I was referred a few weeks ago to the neuro whose specialty is botox, emgs, dystonias, etc.
And botox is out of the question, even if it was a spasm, due to the effect it would have on my
swallowing...so other neuros were right . But he says what I feel, and what causes my tongue to ball up near the back of my throat, and the inability t to stick it out or move it much, is tongue atrophy. I didn't even know that was possible in MS...thought it was ALS which had that symptom associated with it. But I consulted Dr. Google and it is possible if the lesion is in the right place and mine is. (medulla affects lower cranial nerves...and lower cranial nerve dysfunction can result in atrophy.)
I went the speech therapist route about a year ago, and she said as far as speech there was nothing she could do...what she would suggest, I was already doing intuitively, like replacing "th" sound with "d" sound, etc. Also did a swallow test and everything was okay. So the main consequence is pretty major slurring, and pain, especially the longer I speak.
So I can't be the only one with this symptom? Anybody else?
been affected mildly for years, but in the past years, it's gotten much worse.
The idea of botox, if it was a spasm, was talked about, but not investigated because most of the neuros thought the side effects, i.e. swallowing issues, could be a bigger problem than the spasm.
So I was referred a few weeks ago to the neuro whose specialty is botox, emgs, dystonias, etc.
And botox is out of the question, even if it was a spasm, due to the effect it would have on my
swallowing...so other neuros were right . But he says what I feel, and what causes my tongue to ball up near the back of my throat, and the inability t to stick it out or move it much, is tongue atrophy. I didn't even know that was possible in MS...thought it was ALS which had that symptom associated with it. But I consulted Dr. Google and it is possible if the lesion is in the right place and mine is. (medulla affects lower cranial nerves...and lower cranial nerve dysfunction can result in atrophy.)
I went the speech therapist route about a year ago, and she said as far as speech there was nothing she could do...what she would suggest, I was already doing intuitively, like replacing "th" sound with "d" sound, etc. Also did a swallow test and everything was okay. So the main consequence is pretty major slurring, and pain, especially the longer I speak.
So I can't be the only one with this symptom? Anybody else?
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