Originally Posted by
bulan
Yes, I've had some of those symptoms and still do. My tongue began twitching last August, then died down again. I realized that it happened when I was going to see relatives who seriously stressed me out. It started up again in December, leading up to our family get-together, then died down a second time. It started a third time in March and hasn't died down because of another stressful family event hanging over my head. This time, my tongue has also started to feel swollen from time to time, which affects my speech. Like you, my family hasn't noticed, but there are times I have to work harder not to talk with a lisp. I've become afraid to talk at times, worried that everyone will notice. I have throat tightness too, bits of food seem to get stuck on the way down more often, and I have other symptoms too that may be related. Stomach bloating and acid reflux are two of them.
I saw my neurologist about this last week, and he isn't concerned, but he's ordering a head and throat MRI to be thorough. I saw my internist who ordered a few blood tests, and my GP has ordered a barium swallow test. I'm not entirely sure I need these tests, but I'm also not happy with these symptoms carrying on this way.
I think it's possible that stress can cause some of these things, as can anxiety. I was concerned about ALS at one point, but not anymore. I trust my neurologist, and if he isn't worried, neither am I. Besides, I've read in no uncertain terms that in ALS, twitching comes after significant atrophy, which I don't have, and it sounds like you don't either. Keep me updated on how things go, and see a doctor if you want to be thorough, but please don't worry!