Breathing issues and Frozen Shoulder

[Kara Thornton]

Hoping for your help.

First my apologies to take up valuable time from the moderators.
I have some things going on and was wondering if the likelihood of them being related to ALS.

1) in June of 2022 I started having swallowing issues we did all tests I had as diagnosed with Ineffective motility in my esophagus Gerd Barrett’s Esophagus hitial hernia. I had a wrap at bottom of my esophagus and hernia repair.
Since then when my Gerd acts up it presses against my diaphragm causes me shortness of breath. I have been having a flair this past month. Last weekend it was as though I could not breathe. I did all the breathing tests they were normal. They ruled out my heart and lungs CT. Heading to surgeon on Tuesday as the hernia did slip into my diaphragm.
My question is could my breathing issues be related to weakness in diaphragm from ALS?
As I said my motility issue was diagnosed in 2022. Could that be bulbar ALS that started in 2022?

2) The reason why I ask is that I had frozen shoulder in March. It was so painful my muscle strength was assessed at like at like a 2.5. Since then thru physical therapy my strength is now back to a 4.5 I did have a cortisone shot.

3) Another weird symptom is my back is hurting and I feel wobbly on my feet. I can still walk on my toes my heels.

I am heading to a neurologist on July 8.
I suffer from severe health anxiety to the point of sometimes not being able to get out of bed.
My 50th birthday is on Wednesday and any information would be very appreciated.

 

[lgelb]

I'm sorry for your troubles. As you say, the hernia intruding into the diaphragm is a logical explanation for shortness of breath, with no reason to think of ALS. Bulbar onset ALS would be a very different history from 2022 to now.

I too had frozen shoulder + PT. Frozen shoulder definitely reduces your range of motion, with no relationship to ALS.

If you are short of breath, especially during sleep when your breathing is weakest, that could be interfering with the return of energy that your sleep normally provides for you, leading to wobbling, etc. Tossing and turning trying to reduce GERD pain/get deep breaths could also affect your back. I hope you are seeking a second opinion on what can be done for your GERD.

I expect your neurology appointment to be very reassuring as regards ALS or any form of MND. Meanwhile, you might video your sleep and take a good look at how supportive your mattress/pillow/overlay/frame are.