Dr. confused

[lostinlouisville]

Hey guys, my MRI came back. The dr. called and said according to my emg I should have a Major compression in my spine. The MRI was negative for anything but a slight pinched nerve which he says would not explain the emg or my symptoms. He said we will watch and wait until the 8th when I see him again. Any ideas out there.

[awieleba]

Hi Renee

what is going to happen on the 8th? (waiting untill the 8th). I know how it feels to hope that the mri will show more results, but hey at least a little pinched nerve. MY mri did show a small tarov's cyst. on the right side of my spine. I researched (as I am still waiting for my neuro to call) and it can cause back pain. It would not really explain my symptoms unless a lot larger. and the worst of my symptoms are on left.

anyway, is your neuro a specialist? The first neuro I went to, wich was a local one, was very dismissive and put me on lexepro and said it was stress. SOOO, I went right to a neuromuscular specalist at the universtity. MInd you my symptoms have gotten worse and more thinning in my limbs but I did not want to keep going to the local one (she was very nice). Maybe you should go to someone who see's out of the ordinary diseases more. If the local fond something they would most likely refer you out anyway, Ya know?

I just empathize with you. I feel like we are in the same boat with young kids and we just dont have the time to mess around and wait for answers! everyday it just eats at me a little more. some days I think I will feel better and get my hopes up and then Bam, I feel bad or get new twitching or a new symptom or weakness and I will feel real down for a day or so. It can be a rollar coaster. I hide these feelings from kids and really only let myself cry at night. anyway, I wish you answers soon......

God bless you!

april

[lostinlouisville]

I don't know what the 8th is about, he said he wanted to see me then.I think I may be at a dead end with him. I don't know where else to go. My insurance is already acting upset with me. I think in 12 years of marriage my husband has seen me cry 12 times, until recently, now 12-15 times a week. I really am not scared, I don't know what I am. I hope this will be one of your good days. Stay in touch.

[crystalkk]

lost,

What kind of insurance do you have , that they are already acting upset with you... It does sound like you are at a dead end with him, ask him to refer you to a nueromusclar specialist. Do you know the results of your EMG?

[brendapals]

Hello all,

I finally found the copy of my EMG/NCS done in 5/07. Here is the jist of it:

"This included right median motor with latency prolonged at 4.7, otherwise normal. Right ulnar motor normal. Right median sensory with latency prolonged at 4.2, otherwise normal. Right ulnar sensory normal. Right radial sensory normal. In the left arm the median motor was normal with the median palmar showing a latency of 2.4 which is mildly prolonged and normal amplitude..."

Final impression: " Abnormal NCV/EMG study. There is evidence of distal median neuropathy electrically mild worse on the right than on the left side. There is also eveidence of distal tibial motor nerve neuropathy bilaterally electrically mild. This can be seen with tarsel tunnel syndrome. No evidence of radiculopathy appreciated."


Ultimately, he told me back in May of 07, that I might have carpal tunnel and might need physical therapy? My question for you all- should I ask my NEW neuro at IU for another EMG? I don't go back to see him until 11/4/08-but I could probably go back for that. I just don't know if any of that mumbo jumbo means anything related to ALS. He did not offer to repeat it when I was first dx on 6/3/08.

Thanks for listening and sharing,
Keep the faith,
brenda

[lostinlouisville]

I have private insurance through Humana. The EMG says mild carpal tunnel with c8-t1 problems, thats all I know. He said he thought by the results I should have had a major compression, but the MRI says I don't.

[ladyk]

your post and I am at the same stage. Mri showed slight disc prominence on c4-5 and c5-6 but was told it was not significant enough to be causing my problems. I asked where to go next and he suggested another mri but said looks possibly muscular which is difficult to diagnose! He said maybe muscle biopsy was in order, maybe a mitochondrial myopathy. I have also been refered to endocrinologist to see if maybe something metabolic was happening but again not considered significant enough to be causing all the troubles. I was interested to read that other docs seem to be less than helpful and that the kind folks on here that have been through this are so informative regarding what steps to take next. After a year of twitching, weakness, numbness, dropping stuff and having a few nasty falls, to even see a neurologist, I had to ask to be sent to one. I had been sent to psychiatrist early on being told anxiety and thankfully psychiatrist didn't even believe that and has been helpful with referals. Rigth now I have no follow up appointments or diagnostic anything in process and have apparantly reached a dead end with the docs I have. It made me freak out a little wondering what to do next! Anyway, I sure understand your position and wish you the best. I hope that you find someone helpful to your diagnostic process very soon, the waiting and wondering is so hard.