"dirty" emgs

[LifesWorthLiving]

When you expierienced folks use the term dirty.....to describe emgs, do you mean as in an als pattern.....or just abnormal. .ive heard many things can cause an abnormal emg......bulgng discs, torn rotators with a nerve comprssions, cubital tunnel syndrome etc....just trying to get your lingo....

 

[Zaphoon]

The term "dirty emg" is used in a variety of conversational settings on this forum. Many of the threads that contain the term involve folk that are terrified they may have ALS despite no dirty emg.

You are correct in saying many things can cause an emg to be abnormal aside from ALS.

 

[LifesWorthLiving]

So the term dirty is kinda interchangeable with abnormal? Or is dirty reserved for emgs indicitive of als or other mnd?

 

[Zaphoon]

That would depend on the nature of the "dirtiness", my friend. Many have had abnormal or dirty emg's but have not gone on to receive a diagnosis of ALS.

 

[LifesWorthLiving]

Understood....im nervous about my emg.....i dont know what to expect, im a very well educated medic, but dont dont jack about emgs........toss me an ekg and im dr house....emg and im lenny from mice and men..,,

 

[patricia1]

A dirty emg doesn't always mean ALS.
A clean emg doesn't always mean No ALS
There are other thing come into play .
the neurological exam,emgs blood test ,mri ,sometimes muscle biopsies spinal taps.And time sometimes years .
I've been there and done that
Neurologist do not use that diagnosed loosely

So if your looking for a answer go for many opinions and if you don't get a ALS diagnosed

KISS THE FLOOR and praise the LORD!

 

[TedH5]

dirty emg means it is abnormal. Although as you said there are many reasons for a dirty emg.

 

[lizzie11957]

I had a normal EMG, yet was diagnosed with bulbar onset at Emory ALS Clinic. I have progressed as expected so I have no doubt the diagnosed is correct. I have read some posts which claim clean EMG= no ALS. Unfortunately, that isn't true.

 

[patricia1]

I had a normal EMG, yet was diagnosed with bulbar onset at Emory ALS Clinic. I have progressed as expected so I have no doubt the ALS diagnosis is correct. I have read some posts which claim clean EMG= no ALS. Unfortunately, that isn't true.

Liz
I agree with you but when l said that l was jumped on.Clean emg =no ALS Not true!

pat

 

[LifesWorthLiving]

Christ im confused........i do apprciate the comments and advice this stuff is scary. You folks have balls i can only imagine to have.........

 

[limegreenphysicist]

"Dirty" emg I use interchangeabley for abnormal. Case in point me...I have a "dirty emg" however I do not have ALS. "Dirty" emg's dont always mean ALS as has been said.

 

[SEproud]

So, what would you do, Lizzie or Pat, If you had a clean EMG and still felt symptoms? What if you had a clean EMG and also had seen an ALS specialist? But, you still felt something was off ? What should someone do? If this poster or anyone else (like me) has a clean EMG what should they do next?

 

[EGBAR]

So, what would you do, Lizzie or Pat, If you had a clean EMG and still felt symptoms? What if you had a clean EMG and also had seen an ALS specialist? But, you still felt something was off ? What should someone do? If this poster or anyone else (like me) has a clean EMG what should they do next?

You think you have ALS, hopefully you will find out that you do not. I would like for all the people seeking to get a diagnosis of ALS, all the I have a pain in legs after I work out, a;ll the I read on the internet and now I think, all the my doctor said but I believe something else, that once their physician, neuro whomever says YOU DON'T HAVE ALS to say thank God.

After that because you seem to be so drawn to this disease, affliction or whatever it is get involved in your local ALS chapter and start getting the word out about this horrible nasty thing known as ALS. But for God's sake quit seeking to get this diagnosis.

 

[wright]

Here we go again with people not giving ALL OF THE FREAKIN' INFORMATION about clean EMG's and an ALS diagnosis. UN . . . BE . . . LIEVABLE!

Patricia, you got jumped upon because of your lack of compassion for those who don't understand . . . and you can no longer use "ignorance" as an excuse because you should now understand. Why? Because I explained it in the thread that you started. Maybe ignorance isn't your problem.

I will repeat this (Patricia, don't waste your time reading because you will never get it or maybe you do get it and just like to scare people):

Clean EMG in limbs or bulbar region with supposed lower motor signs and symptoms in those regions = NO ALS (as I and countless others have said, because we are nice enough and smart enough to do so). End of story!

Clean EMG with upper motor signs and symptoms does not clear you of ALS but there are many reasons those upper motor neuron signs and symptoms can be present (as I and countless others have said, because we are nice enough and smart enough to do so).

 

[SEproud]

EGBAR, there are people that say if you have a clean EMG then that does not take ALS off of the table. So, if this is the case, I am just asking to get the follow up opinion from those same people as to what to do next. What is their opinion about what is the correct thing to do? What should this poster or others do if they are still concerned about their symptoms after a clean EMG? If the Dr says the EMG is clean what should one do if they still have concerns? Maybe, hopefully, the people who have had a clean EMG and a diagnosis of ALS and post to the "Do I" part of the forum will be willing to help the people in this situation.