View Full Version : Clinic Appt
screwedagain
10-03-2007, 11:56 AM
Just got back from the clinic. I met the breathing person (my FVC was 90 upright and 82 laying down), a social worker, a research person, and a few others I can't quite remember. It was quite a parade.
Basically, it was decided that there is something wrong, given my really brisk reflexes and twitching, but the doctor "doesn't think" it is ALS. He stressed the word "think." Now he wants to do another EMG so he can see for himself what's going on because it's so subjective, blah, blah, blah....so now I get to wait until the 22nd for that.....
Hi Jeff - well, glad that you didn't get a bad dx and they are working on looking further. I know the waiting game is really tough, but hang in there. Was your doc a good listener and caring? How were the others you had to meet? And why the heck didn't they just redo your EMG while you were there.....oh, that's right neuromuscular means...wait! Keep in touch.
Lorie
10-03-2007, 09:59 PM
Jeff, I like your screen name. We are all to familiar.
ALS has its on Life Span when dx. It also has its on time for being dx. Hang in there, I hope for you, it is not ALS!
Lorie:-D
screwedagain
10-04-2007, 11:55 AM
I am so glad the doctor does not think it is als, I get the think part trust me.. Your breathing sounds like a good number to me.. I have all the same symptoms as you do, so maybe that gives us both hope. Did the doctor note atrophy and weakness? sounds like it could be something else, sure hope it is, now more hurry up and wait game..
He didn't note any atrophy or weakness (even though I can barely hold a !#$%!! fork), just very hyper reflexes, Hoffman's sign, and twitching. He also banged on my hand, and my forearm did something it wasn't supposed to. Not sure what that's all about. He also said my tongue was normal, even though a rather large/asymmetrical groove has recently formed down the middle of it.
Does anybody else on here have joints that hurt and crack and pop? Lately I sound like an old rocking chair whenever I walk, move my arms/hands/fingers.
My joints- especially shouldrs and knees have started to crack.
crystalkk
10-04-2007, 04:32 PM
I think every joint in my body is cracking now.
crystalkk
10-04-2007, 04:34 PM
when you say very hyperreflexes did he give you a number and are they the same on both sides.
screwedagain
10-04-2007, 05:11 PM
when you say very hyperreflexes did he give you a number and are they the same on both sides.
no number, but they are the same on both sides and everything he checked was brisk.
What does it mean to have hyper reflexes? The doctor said mine were completely normal- what does that mean?
screwedagain
10-04-2007, 05:30 PM
What does it mean to have hyper reflexes? The doctor said mine were completely normal- what does that mean?
basically it means that they are abnormally strong, overactive, etc. so given normal stimulus, the reaction is more abrupt/brisk than it should be.
FYI, anything with the prefix "hyper" typically means more than normal, elevated, (e.g., hypertension is high blood pressure). anything with the prefix "hypo" typically means less than normal, reduced, diminished (e.g., hypotension is low blood pressure).
Thanks :) Is ALS the only cause of brisk reflexes?
crystalkk
10-04-2007, 06:41 PM
no, it is a sign of upper motor nuerons. Some people have hyper reflexes normally as long as they are assymetric that is fine. Or should I say that is what I was told by a few nuero's who have hyper reflexes
as well.
CindyM
10-04-2007, 06:42 PM
Nope. A couple of conditions can cause this. Including stroke.
jimercat
10-07-2007, 07:52 AM
Jeff,
Catching up on the forum...
Too bad they couldn't do the EMG the day you were there. I'm still hoping it isn't ALS.
Please let us know about your next appointment on the 22nd. The anxiety one goes through with all of this mess is sometimes unbearable. But we have to keep on keepin on.
screwedagain
10-07-2007, 03:53 PM
Jeff,
Catching up on the forum...
Too bad they couldn't do the EMG the day you were there. I'm still hoping it isn't ALS.
Please let us know about your next appointment on the 22nd. The anxiety one goes through with all of this mess is sometimes unbearable. But we have to keep on keepin on.
Yeah, I wish they could have done it that day too. I wonder if they could just put me in a medically induced coma until the 22nd...
There was a thread a while ago where everyone was registering their hatred for doctors. Well, I really, really, really, really, really, really hate doctors. HATE. I don't understand why they go to medical school for so long...they don't seem to know any more coming out than they did going in...
Come on Jeff.....they went to med school because they heard we would pay for them and their families to have big houses and great vacations!
jimercat
10-07-2007, 05:15 PM
D#*% it all, I thought they went to med school because they wanted to help people:???:
screwedagain
10-08-2007, 08:53 AM
D#*% it all, I thought they went to med school because they wanted to help people:???:
Ha!! Now that's a good one. I'll be laughing at that all day....
greg175csp
10-08-2007, 09:23 AM
D#*% it all, I thought they went to med school because they wanted to help people:???:
They do help. Just imagine how many people would have back problems if doctors weren't so skilled at removing all the extra weight in one's wallet. :mrgreen:
