I agree with samson77. My mom had bulbar ALS an thin liquids and slurred speech were her first symptoms.

Just throwing my two cents in. I was having swallowing problems and my tongue felt numb and heavy (speech was only slurred slightly where others didn't notice) and my face was tingly. I was also having problems where my throat felt like it was closing and I wasn't getting air. I was in and out of the ER (they said anxiety) saw GI doc who did 2 esophageal dialations and that did help with the breathing in my opinion. I was eventually able to see doctors once I got insurance and after about a year of seeing ENTs, Neuros, Allergy docs, and GI docs, one neuro took me serious. He asked what I thought I had. I said bulbar ALS. He tested me for everything, LYME, MS, and most other diseases. I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, that effects primarily my bulbar muscles.