EMG-Follow Up Question

[stvhck]

Hello,

I have a question regarding EMG follow up. Is it critical to have a follow up EMG with the same neurologist that performed the first EMG? I understand an EMG is very subjective and my first neurologist (not an ALS or MND specialist) found some mild positive sharp waves in my lumbar region.

My thought was to go back to this same doctor and have him test the same areas...if those areas have no change or have improved I thought that would be a positive outcome. Is that reasonable or is the better route to take follow up with an ALS specialist for the EMG?

Also is it standard to only spot check one side of the body or sections of the body during an EMG? I have read some reports that the T spine region should always be checked, however my neurologist did not EMG this region.

Thank you for your time.

 

[odiva]

Follow up with your neurologist and ask these questions. I, for one, am not qualified to answer. Good luck and God bless!

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

Were you unhappy with the diagnosis? You can always go for that second opinion. I went to three before I was convinced I had it. But I also went with a clean slate. Doctor's two and three had no knowledge. It was me, a referral and my symptoms. After the third one, I figured the three strikes your out rule applied. Good Luck and God bless.

 

[trfogey]

You should follow up with the doctor and on the schedule that your last neuro told you to use. That presumes, of course, that your neurologist gave you a follow-up plan. If he/she didn't give you a follow-up plan, there's probably no need for a follow-up unless you've developed new symptoms or a change in your old symptoms.

Or, I could give you the same advice I gave you six weeks ago -- schedule the EMG with which ever one of your doctors you think is the most competent or even a new one since you've never believed any of the previous ones. What's a couple of thousand extra wasted health care dollars between friends? Then you'll have four EMGs to worry over and second-guess the neuros.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

Trfogey, has the original poster been to many doctors or was your last statement directed to me? Because the first one was not an ALS specialist. But the other two were. I just wanted to make sure number two was correct and that's why I went to number three. And if it wasn't directed to me, then maybe that's why California is bankrupt, especially if they are on government subsidized health care. Unfortunately I am not one.

 

[stvhck]

Thank you for the responses...

Listen, I may have not posed the question clearly...I simply was curious if an EMG as a "baseline" had to be performed by the same doctor. Maybe this is a bad example but with blood tests, if you use the same lab you get similar results (assuming nothing has changed with your health).

It's not that I dont listen to my doctors, they do not have any explanation for what is happening in my body. I have been passed around and back and forth to several doctors...second, third opinions and also different focus areas as well. I come to this forum because for whatever reason, the doctors I have been to so far have NOT been great at communicating or spending the time to address my questions. I assume they feel that since I have been seen before by other doctors, someone surely would have found something if there is something. It is the luck of the draw and my luck in selecting doctors has been bad.

As far as "adding" burden to the nation's health care expense? By all means if you are comfortable with a doctor telling you or a family member they "have no idea" or "just wait and give this some time" then maybe that works for you. I refuse to except this as an answer because again it is MY health and MY body.

While I think it is incredibly kind and helpful that this forum and it’s contributors address others concerns, I find it just as disappointing when someone passes judgment or speaks to others in a condescending manner. I am sure at one point in your life you were scared and looking for answers as I am right now.

I wish you and everyone else here only the best and much respect.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

Stvck, I don't believe I was condescending; this was not my intent. You have every right to go to a doctor to find out what is wrong, but it seems to me that you have been to many without them having a clue. Do you have true atrophy or true weakness and I don't mean what you perceive? Could looking up symptoms on the in ter net be a cause of this? Don't take offense, it's easily done and without realizing you have done it? But if you are doctor shopping on the good folks of California, then maybe you should take a step back, collect your thoughts and regroup. This is not a place you don't want to be if it can be helped. I would gladly trade places with you!

 

[trfogey]

Toto's Dorothy, your post was published while I was composing mine, so my post did not refer to yours. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

stvchk, like I told you six weeks ago, go for it. But consider this -- if the doctors (however many it is that you've seen by now) can't find anything organically wrong with you, how can they tell you a cause? And the more you keep harping on a vaccine incident, the more you sound like a malpractice case waiting to go off. Might explain the reluctance of your doctors to want to have too much to do with you.

Sorry to disappoint you.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

Sorry, Trfogey, looks like we did it again. I guess we are playing post tag!

 

[Zaphoon]

EMG's...

Here's what little I know. I've had 2 and don't derive enough pleasure out of them to want to experience a 3rd. In my case, two told the tale! No ALS!

I've had the same symptoms now for 5 years, to varying degrees but the same symptoms. The EMG's I had 4 years ago showed the neuro then that my symptoms were not due to ALS. Since there have been no new issues, just the same old ones (in various degrees), there is no call for me to have a 3rd.

This probably applies to anyone that has had a a previous "clean" EMG and continuing to experience the same symptoms; no need for another EMG unless or until either the doctor thinks it is a good idea or new symptoms have come into play.

Just to clarify (from what I've learned from my own experience), if certain symptoms have been the cause for an EMG and the EMG does not indicate findings consistent with ALS as the root of these current symptoms, should said symptoms continue, repeated EMG's will only likely come to the same conclusion - no ALS.

 

[stvhck]

@TR...totally agree with you regarding the malpractice however, you cannot sue ANYONE (doctor or pharm company) for an adverse reaction to a vaccine. This was ruled on by the US Supreme Court in Feb of 2010. That being said, I do not blame the doctor who admin the vaccine. I also still believe vaccines serve a great purpose in society. I just happened to have an adverse reaction that cannot be explained.

@Dorothy...My "doctor shopping" has not been exclusive to CA. While I live in CA, I have travelled to NYC to see doctors that practice/teach at hospitals that do not receive funding from Pharm companies. I don't want to rant off topic or discuss what some will feel are conspiracy theories...just trust me that this is important.

@Zaph...thank you for sharing your experience with me. I agree with you that the EMG experience is not a good time to say the least. I understand what you are saying regarding symptoms and EMG results. The reason I reached out to the group for advice is becauses my first EMG which had minimal abnormal results per my first neurologist. I wanted to know if I should have a second EMG from him or wait until the fall when I can travel to NYC again to see the neuro that I trust and who is an ALS specialist.

Thanks again for your time everyone.

 

[TedH5]

I go back to some of the original questions...what did your original Neuro tell you to do? Did they suggest a follow up EMG? You have the right to get a 2nd, 3rd opinion whatever but just make sure you are not chasing the jackelope. You say your "Dr's have no answers for what is happening to your body." I believe the crucial question here is have they acknowledged that something is happening to your body? Have they found clinical weakness, atrophy, hyperreflexia, positive babinski sign, clonus, anything that they feel is abnormal.

I find it difficult to fathom that the Dr's think something is wrong with you yet give you no follow up plan. I understand that Dr's operate like Detectives eliminating "suspects" based on evidence and clues, so receiving a diagnosis can take time and is not always the exact science we like to believe it is, but typically Dr's do not just pass people around without some type of plan or differential diagnosis.

My best advice, only see the Neuro you trust otherise you are wasting your time, their time and everyone's money.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

My meds are starting to kick in so I hope I don't go looney on you! You never answered my original questions: do you have clinical weakness and muscle atrophy? Not perceived by you, but what would be in the drs notes. Get a copy of them for your file. If you want to wait and go to neuro in NYC, fine. The problem will be; no baseline (most drs like to use their own). It would be good and call 2nd neuro and take all previous tests with you? Take it one tess time. I will have to finish it later.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

Good night

 

[stvhck]

@Ted...I agree. My doctors have NOT seen clinical weakness or atrophy (well at least nothing they have suggested). The problem is each doctor (neuro, rheum, primary care, etc) all diagnosed me with something different, and then pass me to someone else for another opinion or follow up. So far I have been "diagnosed" with possible post vaccine poly-neuropathy, non specific autoimmune disorder related to vaccine, lower back stenosis, and/or rheumatic fever (the last two are by way of the physcian that admin the vaccine because she refuses to believe the Hep B vaccine can cause nerve damage or autoimmunity). For every step forward, she inserts her opinions to the follow up doctor and I take two steps back.

Anyway, it's frustrating and confusing (not to mention expensive). Thanks for the advice and insight.