progressive disorder

[midsummer]

Four years ago I was subjected to long term fume inhalation.
During this period I developed a vocal spasm (strained and strangled voice plus my "brain" uses my stomach muscles to force voice out).
Two years later I developed a bowel problem (thin more frequent stools and muscle spasm) and have also recently been dignosed with Achalasia.
I also suffer from "tics", involuntary muscle movements, chronic fatigue, stiff muscles and generalised joint and muscle pain.
The entire area across my lower rib cage has been very tender to touch since the onset of the voice problem.
Apart from two speech therapy courses and a couple of prescritions for gastric medication I have had no other help.
I am being denied an appointment with a Neuro for some reason.
I was told we would probably never know what was causing my problems.
I seem to have muscles all over my body either in Spasm or not working properly and am worried as to what is going to happen next.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[midsummer]

Thank you and I will approach my doc for these tests.

[midsummer]

Hello again............my exact words to the Gastric guy....whose response was yes he knew what that was.
I have been refused Botox again for the vocal side of things today......but told they were not there to discuss all the other problems I have.
Perhaps I needed some emotional support for all my medical problems(4 years of them.......resulting in no job and big debt cos I could not get benefit either)? and are sending me back to my local ENT who have already told me that cannot help me anymore.
What I would like are the right tests and a diagnosis.
I was asked when all the problems started and mentioned the fumes.................no response........doors always shut when I talk about that. I have even been told I have a problem cos I eat bananas for breakfast and got divorced 20 years ago.
This all stinks at my expense.
My symptom list runs at 1 and a half A4 pages now and no one will point me in the right direction for help.
I have waited 13 months to go back to this hospital for re assessment as they requested the gastric tests that have shown up nothing that would cause a voice problem.
Help needed.

[puma]

Midsummer,

There is a type of seizure called a myoclonic jerk. That sounds like your last description. A neuro would have to give you some testing for that. Hope that helps.

Chatahan

[midsummer]

hello again......the problem with the hands (effects both) is task specific to gripping not a continual problem. As neither are the "tics" I go to pick something up and my arm will swing away from my body sending what ever is in my hand across the room so its getting a bit costly in damages.
The dropping of the hand, as an example........we were out having a meal and I picked up a slice to serve some pizza to my partner, I managed to get the pizza on the slice and was moving my arm towards his plate when my hand turned and then dropped and he ended up with it in his lap.
A couple of days ago I had a realy weird thing happen.I had a sudden nasty pain in my left wrist and my hand sort of shot back towards my wrist each time the pain occured my hand did the same thing. Somedays I have diffuculty picking things up at all no matter how many times I try. People have also asked if I am left handed as I seem to be using my left hand to do things, this I am not aware of until someone mentions it.
Spooky stuff this. I shall ask again tomorrow if I can have a Neuro investigation but the general trend is that bits of me are being dealt with individually instead of looking at the problems having a more central cause. I am under three hospitals and three departments in one of them.

[puma]

It sounds like the symptoms of a mild stroke the way you describe the dropping of the hand like no bones in it and dropping things. Talking also can be affected by stroke. You may want to have an MRI or whatever other tests they do for stroke. That's just a thought. Good luck

Chatahan

[midsummer]

Thanks for your comments. I did the psychiatrist bit three years ago. He felt that everyone was passing the butt and sent me back to the ENT department.
My throat is not sore and does not hurt, my vocal cords do not work as they should, they close together when I speak. I feel as if my insides are going to come out of my mouth when I speak due to the effort involved and after 4 years this is really wearing me out.
I did go to have a Botox injection last September but this was put on hold while I had gastric tests.
I had a normal barium swallow, a normal 24PH test, an abnormal  oesophageal motility test, a normal gastroscopie (only slight inflammation found) and sigmoidoscopy (though this was limited due to the anal spasm) but there was a problem with the anal motility test.
I am going for a re assessment for Botox tomorrow but am not holding much hope due to the Achalasia diagnosis.
I do not have any of the symptoms normally associated with this and far from loosing weight I have put on a lot.
The problems with my hands and continually dropping things is a nightmare and also my hand just sort of flops down as if there are no bones there if you can imagine that.
I feel sure that this is some form of a progressive Dystonia.
But as I say a brain scan (which may not show anything anyway but I would like one to put my mind at rest) is not being offered.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

If you're having neuromuscular symptoms such as stiffness and weakness, a formal neurological exam and possibly an EMG (which checks the nerves and muscles) would be very helpful in further characterizing the problem.  There are some muscular disorders that affect the GI tract. If you're having trouble getting a neruo referral, there are some simple lab tests that your doc can order such as electrolytes, CBC, and muscle enzymes such as CK, aldolase and a marker of muscle metabolism=lactate. That would be a good start until you can get a neuro referral. Good luck.

[puma]

You may want to try a mix of Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc. They come in tablet form together and can be purchased at most vitamin stores, or stores that carry some vitamin stock.

Those all help with muscle spasms and stiffness. The zinc is good for sore throat and infection problems. This of course won't give a diagnosis unless it cleared it all up after tatking it awhile. You would be surprised how malnurished many people are even though they may be overweight.

If you have damage from the fumes I would think an MRI would pick up some brain damage or something. It all depends on the kind of insurance you have. Some HMO'S have bad reputations for avoiding tests and referals to save money and even give bonuses to their docs to under-prescribe to save.

Anxiety disorders can cause some of those symptoms too, so you may even consider a psychiatrist. They are docs as well and can prescribe other tests and may want to try certain medications to see if you can get some relief. Good luck,

Chatahan