Decending Pallate

[Marymac]

Is it a descending palate is always indicative of bulbar als?  I have noticed lately that my soft palate is "lower" in the back of my mouth, and I must push my tongue down in order to see the back of my throat.  I am also having problems with ears tingling, post nasal drip type symptoms, jaw and tongue cramping and jaw pain. Am seeing my neurologist next week...just saw the descending palate and became quite nervous.  Also, had 59 episodes of obstructive sleep apnea in 3 hours, but do not snore.  Could MG also cause this?  Is it possible to just have extra tissue accumulate there?  When I say "AHH", the palate does rise....just seems to hang low....your thoughts on this wouldbe appreciated.  Thank-you

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear MaryMac:

I am uncertain why your palate is descending.  In bulbar ALS, there is muscle weakness manifested by swallowing, tongue fasciculations, voice weakness, and usually difficulty chewing of food.  You are not indicating these type of symptoms.  Cramping can be a sign of ALS, but not isolated without muscle weakness.  Usually obstructive sleep apnea occurs in people who are overweight, have small jaws, fatty or large soft palates, etc.  MG can cause problems with breathing, but this is due to respiratory muscle weakness, not sleep apnea.  

CCF Neuro MD

[JR]

I have a question on ALS. I am a 15 year old male. For the last 8 months I have had off and on widespread twitching. What scares me is the constant twitching of the tongue. I cant feel it but I can see it. I have no swallowing problems or speaking problems and I have no real weakness. My tongue strength also seems fine. I went to my regular doctor and he said anxiety was to blame and said I was fine. He would not refer me to a neurologist. My questions are.

1. After 8 months of twitching if I had ALS would I have noticable weakness by now especially with Bulbar form?

2. Of the cases of ALS affecting teens have they been the inherited form?

3. Have you ever heard or seen Sporadic Bulbar ALS affecting someone as young as 15.

4. Does a regular doctor have a general understanding of ALS and if he had any doubt that something was wrong he would of refered me to a neurologist. (He looked at my tongue and tested my reflexes and said I was fine.)

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear JR:

Please see your mother's posting for your answer.

CCF Neuro MD

[cindy19335]

Mary,

I developed a descending palate after cervical disk surgery.  

This type of malady can occur when there is a cerebellar herniation.

My sleep doc said there is a certain amount of shifting of the brain as one ages.

I have the same type of sleep problems from this herniation.  

Good Luck with your neuro visit, wish you could post the outcome.

[Jan Bailey]

After extensive EMG testing by an MDA physician, his findings indicate either Mitochondrial or metabolic problems....lots of small muscles, weakness which occurred suddenly and bilateraly in the last 3 months....am scheduled for a muscle biopsy to help with diagnosis....definitely not als