can someone explain emg results to me?

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brian84

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Learn about ALS
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ca
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somewhere
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somewhere
I recently had an emg and I am confused what the results mean. There is a chart showing 9 different muscles. all of them except 3 say recruitment reduced. one says fib +2, one says psw +2, most say fasc 2+ slow, one says HF 1+, all say amp 2+ or 3+, duration 2+ or 3+, and about half say ppp 3+ or 2+. Is this ok or not good?
 
Didn't you ask the dr to explain it? I never asked about the numbers on my emg. I was only concerned about what the conclusion was and what my dr said.

We have a member named Wright who is an expert on emgs but I haven't seen him on is a while. Maybe someone else will chime in who knows what the numbers mean.
 
I'm with Vicki on this one, at that level of EMG questions you should be calling your doc's office, not asking a public forum. Just an explanation of what reduced recruitment is took me two full pages to write up in layman langauge. Get your doc's summary.
 
well I see 2 neurologists, one them says in the report "emg shows electrodiagnostic evidence of diffuse denervation involving upper and lower limbs and also thoracic paraspinal muscles which is showing diffuse fasciculation. Findings are highly suspicious for a motor neuropathy or motor neuron disease. This patient appears to have signs and symptoms and a clinical course highly suspicious for motor neuron disease." The other neuro looked over the report and says he thinks cramp fasciculation syndrome or bfs. In the meantime I still feel and look like crap, and can't get disability until they make a definite diagnosis. I'm just confused and frustrated, I don't know which one to believe.
 
Well I would get another opinion. That's a pretty wide difference of opinion between drs.
 
I go for a third opinion next week. It will be the tie breaker. I'm hoping it's good news, but I imagine the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I could be wrong but I thought bfs and cramp fasciculation only showed fasciculation's on the emg?
 
Just asking, what's with the... city - "somewhere" - state - "somewhere ca" ? Yet your descriptions are so detailed... so precise. Again... just wondering.
 
Just asking, what's with the... city - "somewhere" - state - "somewhere ca" ? Yet your descriptions are so detailed... so precise. Again... just wondering.

I made the account a year ago when the neuro first told me she thought I had motor neuron disease, never actually posted anything until just this week. My wife wanted me to make an account so I could talk to people going through the same things, but I really don't like to talk about more than I have to. I guess I just didn't feel like filling it out, it didn't seem relevant . I'm from Canada if that makes any difference.
 
I think all you can do is wait and see what the next dr says. Like you said the tie breaker. I hope it is good news. I would ask the dr about your emg question.
 
I know, I'm just terrible at waiting. all these numbers on the emg, are they on a scale of 1 to 5 or 1 to 10?
 
I hope you get good news too. ALS is NOTHING you want even though some that have it post here with some weird sense of pride, authority, reserve and specialty. And... some that are eager for a diagnosis are already talking about the "benefits" they'd be entitled to.
Again, hope you get good news. I did... somewhat. It was a relief.
 
That is terrible that both doctors are saying something totally different
From the other.

My emg a month ago showed reduced recruitment and activity. In the appt the
Als specialist told me my emg was clean. I called the office back, after I got the results in the mail, for an explanation and was told
I didn't give full force because of pain from the needle. I don't remember
Being in pain but that's what he said. I'm hoping he's right!

I also hope you get good news. My best to you!
 
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just got my second opinion. The neurologist looked over my test results did an exam, and said I have post viral polyneuropathy. It seems to explain everything going on and makes sense because I had meningitis before this all started. I have one more emg just to double check then all should be good. It sounds like it can take a year or two for things to get back to normal from this. But I'm glad the news was good.
 
Yay Brian! Now go and have a good long healthy life! Take care! :)
 
That is wonderful. I hope you go out and celebrate. Good for you.
 
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