I am a 49 year old male. About a year ago, I noticing that I was starting to have slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. Since the problem did not improve, I went to see my primary care doctor. He thought I may have had a stroke and sent me to the emergency room. While in the hospital, they did several blood tests including AIDS, Heavy Metals, and Lime Disease. They also did a CAT Scan, MRI, Carotid Artery Test. All tests came up negative. Other symptoms I have are tongue fasciculations, very thick saliva. I get winded quite easily with moderate exercise like walking up a flight of stairs. I also have occasional muscle spasms in my arms and legs.
A few months after I was released from the hospital, my neurologist did and EMG and an NCV test. Both tests came back negative. The doctors first thought - Bulbar ALS; but, the EMG and NCV did not support this diagnosis.
In 12 months I have lost about 25 pounds (190 down to 165), mostly, I think, because I eat so slow and also because I have cut so many foods from my diet (Aspertame, and anything with MSG). I'm eating a lot of natural foods.
My speech and swallowing problems have remained similar over the past six months. I have noticed that the speech and swallowing problems get worse around 2-6 pm; but, improve in the evening and morning.
Does anyone had any suggestion on what type of doctor I should see to diagnos the problem?