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larrybird

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Jun 27, 2011
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Learn about ALS
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tx
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dallas
Hello, im larry a 50 yr old male with some symptoms that point to als, i ve been unable to get to a nuero yet so my gp set me up for an emg which i go today for the results.Ist here are my sympoms:twitches mainly in calves,cramps in legs,muscle shrinkage in legs,twitching between lip and chin.These have been going on for 3 months now.My questions are:1.how accurate is an emg in picking up als 2.is twitching and cramps lower motor nueron symptoms.3.i had all 4 limbs checked plus my neck surely something would show if its there.4.how long before you notice symptoms has als been attacking your body.I ve been worried it might be bulbar since ive noticed a lump in my throat, but thats more or less stress i think.5.Is a emg tech good enough to pickup probelms.6.If my test comes back clean and i continue to have issues what should i do next.7.worse comes to worse if its dirty not sure how im gonna deal with it.
 
Undestand how fearful you are feeling ..we have been through the beginning fears and relisation and feel deeply for you.
Hoping you went okay with your results of the test today and have support through this difficult time .Cheers ,Anastasia.
 
Hi, I have similar symptoms. I am sorry. I hope everything comes out ok. I have not been diagnosed yet. I have been getting tests and seeing specialists. I understand your fear. Keep us posted, Doris
 
Praying for you Larrybird! Hoping to hear good news.
Hugs
 
Hello, im larry a 50 yr old male with some symptoms that point to als, i ve been unable to get to a nuero yet so my gp set me up for an emg which i go today for the results.Ist here are my sympoms:twitches mainly in calves,cramps in legs,muscle shrinkage in legs,twitching between lip and chin.These have been going on for 3 months now.My questions are:
1.how accurate is an emg in picking up als
Very accurate in the hands of an experienced neurologist or technician

2.is twitching and cramps lower motor nueron symptoms.
Fasciculation are lmn issues, cramping can be caysed by umn issues, but not always

3.i had all 4 limbs checked plus my neck surely something would show if its there
Yes a good ALS screening EMG should show abnormalities consistent with signs of AL's if that is the issue. Many muscles should be tested especially your atrophied muscle.

.4.how long before you notice symptoms has als been attacking your body.
Hard to say

I ve been worried it might be bulbar since ive noticed a lump in my throat, but thats more or less stress i think.
Sounds more like stress

5.Is a emg tech good enough to pickup probelms.
Yes if well trained and experienced

6.If my test comes back clean and i continue to have issues what should i do next.
You should see the neurologist again if your synptoms continue or get worse. If you have no luck with one, you should always get a second opinion

7.worse comes to worse if its dirty not sure how im gonna deal with it.
Well can't answer that one, cause there is no point it digging yourself a hole without a reason for your symptoms, and many many things can cause your symptoms that are not ALS .

Best wishes
Aly
 
Hi and welcome. I am no expert, but just wanted to comment that I understand your fear. I think, with ALS it would be unlikely for you to be atrophying in all of your leg muscles all at once (if that is what you are seeing), also, if it was true atrophy due to ALS, I would think that you would already be experiencing some function loss (clinical weakness, not feeling weak) like maybe some walking issues...I didnt read where you spoke of anything like that. Also, if you are mainly twitching and cramping in your calf muscles, this could very well be a case of BFS (Benign Fasciculation Syndrome) or possibly BCFS (Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome), either are a possibility, and something worth you looking into if your EMG comes back clean. Positive thoughts and prayers coming your way.

Take care

Robynn:)
 
Hi Larry
I am also in the same boat as you. I have had 2 EMGs, 1 lumbar puncture, endless blood tests and a cervical MRI. Through this process the only thing I am sure about is that you can't be sure. My EMGs were both "dirty", or at best inconclusive (I don't actually understand the phrase "dirty EMG", but I understand when a neuro doesn't like what they see). Luckily , my (second) neuro has helpfully pointed out that if they were that accurate, ALS would be easy to diagnose. Remember it is a very rare condition, and many of the symptoms individually can be mimicked by something else. For instance, muscle weakness and wasting can be caused by other neuropathies that are treatable. Twitching likewise. Cramps can be anything. If your test comes back clean, listen to your neuro. If it comes back "dirty", do likewise. Remember, a "dirty" EMG isn't the end of it. As I said, I've had two and my neuro is now treating me on the assumption that I have multi-focal motor neuropathy (MMN) which can mimic ALS to the extent that my first neuro, head of neurology at a major city hospital, said the dreaded words to me as his diagnosis. He may yet be right, but the passage of time and response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment swings the balance of probabilities my way. I'm sharing this to underline that a "dirty" EMG is not the end of the road, it's just another step in the process. So don't despair if you get a "dirty", talk to the neuro, maybe get a second opinion. Get him to tell you all the things it might be that aren't ALS. You are now at the beginning of a journey, one that many on this forum have taken. However please remember that everyone's journey is different, and that your journey still has every chance of ending positively, especially given the rarity of ALS in the general population. Good luck.
 
Dont listen to the above poster. This person has no right telling you to take any of those things. Dont let his username fool you.
 
LizT is absolutely right, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do.

Best regards,
DrG
 
Slow day at the ALS TDI forums, DrG? Or do we get the pleasure of your "theories" for the whole holiday weekend?
 
Can dr. G go away please? You have to right bringing your so called 'cures' here. Thanks.
 
Id like to think everyone for your support.I got my emg results back and it stated all was in a normal range.My twitching and cramps continue so i still have altittle concern.But through my reading from the stickies if i had als causing my symptoms it would ve showed up on my test.I havent been examined my a nuero dr. because its seems so long to get an appt., my regular doc. ordered the emg for me and gave me a short physical exam in his office plus he ran a test on my cpk and amylase level which was in normal range but on the high end of normal.Do you guys think i should put my concerns behind me and move on or try to get into see a nuero dr.Thanks agian for the support you guys have been great.
 
Thanks, to everyone for your support, i got my emg results back and it stated that everything was in a normal range.Im still having twitches and cramps that have me concerned.I havent been to a nuero yet because the wait is so long but my regular dr. gave me a quick physical exam and orderd the emg for me.Do you guys think i can put my als fears behing me or should i try to get in and see a nuero dr.My dr. also tested my amylase and cpk levels also but not sure why but they were normal.thanks agian for the advice and support.
 
Need to edit a bit here- my previous post was about DrG. He had posted something telling the original poster to take certain drugs. Since I posted my warning about not listening to him, one of our wonderful moderators deleted his post.

I was not speaking of any other poster previous to my first post. just Dr.G Thanks.
 
Hi Larrybird - looks like great news, given the probabilities it is now very very unlikely you have ALS - you are now more at risk from drinking, smoking, driving a car or swimming in the ocean (or all four!). However, from what you have said there is a possibility that you have some kind of neuropathy that could potentially be harmful to you (or it may not). As you have said it takes a while to get an appointment, why don't you get in the queue - if your symptoms diminish or go away altogether then you can always cancel; if they persist they could probably do with a neuro's opinion. Good luck
PS I'm no doctor but I suspect the ck and amylase were to test if there is something wrong with your muscles themselves; however you should ask him/her yourself rather than guessing if it's important to you
 
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