rhythman
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 91
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- CA
- State
- New Brunswick
- City
- xxxxxxxx
Hi All
I hope this post finds you well.
I have been completely offline for awhile as I promised I would until I had more tests and met with the neuro again.
In the past 2 weeks, I've had more blood work, 2 mri's, and yesterday, the ncv and emg of the limbs. The neuro also did an exam to test relexes, Babinski, Hoffman's, had me walk, do lots of those coordination tests, etc. We sat down with all the test results after so he could give me his thoughts.
Everything was normal except fasics in calves and "significant fasiculations" in tongue. He said that these results allowed him to rule out many things, but but not als yet. He said the tongue fasiculations and some of the other things I've described to him (nasal voice, crazy choking episodes, etc.) mean bulbar als is still possible. At that point, I had a few questions, but an ambulance came in and he was called out of the clinic. I was told he wouldn't be back for awhile and to just go home. His office is to call next week sometime.
I know that there are very knowledgeable people on here, so I'd like your thoughts on the following.
I have been having problems with all my limbs since October. I have gone from working full time before Christmas, to half time, to being off completely now. I am having a really hard time writing and walking is becoming awkward (neuro said yesterday my gait was "not normal"). As I noted in a January post, I can not lift as much weight, everything is apparently 'heavier' and my arms fatigue quickly even holding a phone. I'm not imagining this...I can no longer run, walking feels strange, a laundry basket of clothes is heavy, etc.
Here's my question: If this weakness, which has been getting worse for 3-4 months, was caused by als, wouldn't this have been picked up with the emg? He said it was nearly 100% clean except for calf fasics. Isn't the emg sensitive enough that it often detects weakness before the person notices? I've noticed weakness for months, but the emg didn't. What's up with that?
Thanks guys.
I hope this post finds you well.
I have been completely offline for awhile as I promised I would until I had more tests and met with the neuro again.
In the past 2 weeks, I've had more blood work, 2 mri's, and yesterday, the ncv and emg of the limbs. The neuro also did an exam to test relexes, Babinski, Hoffman's, had me walk, do lots of those coordination tests, etc. We sat down with all the test results after so he could give me his thoughts.
Everything was normal except fasics in calves and "significant fasiculations" in tongue. He said that these results allowed him to rule out many things, but but not als yet. He said the tongue fasiculations and some of the other things I've described to him (nasal voice, crazy choking episodes, etc.) mean bulbar als is still possible. At that point, I had a few questions, but an ambulance came in and he was called out of the clinic. I was told he wouldn't be back for awhile and to just go home. His office is to call next week sometime.
I know that there are very knowledgeable people on here, so I'd like your thoughts on the following.
I have been having problems with all my limbs since October. I have gone from working full time before Christmas, to half time, to being off completely now. I am having a really hard time writing and walking is becoming awkward (neuro said yesterday my gait was "not normal"). As I noted in a January post, I can not lift as much weight, everything is apparently 'heavier' and my arms fatigue quickly even holding a phone. I'm not imagining this...I can no longer run, walking feels strange, a laundry basket of clothes is heavy, etc.
Here's my question: If this weakness, which has been getting worse for 3-4 months, was caused by als, wouldn't this have been picked up with the emg? He said it was nearly 100% clean except for calf fasics. Isn't the emg sensitive enough that it often detects weakness before the person notices? I've noticed weakness for months, but the emg didn't. What's up with that?
Thanks guys.