Update: Totally Confused

[Felix]

Hi! I sheepishly posted here a few months back. At the time, I was being sent to a Parkinson's clinic at a major research university. Specialist ruled that out and wasn't sure what was happening beyond a gait disturbance. Sent me to PT. PT noted something called clonus during initial exam and mentioned I was showing some signs of motor neuron issues. Over the course of the next month, I guess I exhibited repeated clonus during my sessions with him. Growing concerned, he referred me on to a more specialized PT, whom I've yet to see.

I've been taking Zanaflex for almost 3 months now. My general neuro never told me what it was for, but at my last appt. with the movement disorder specialist, I was told I might be experiencing something called dystonia. I have an EMG scheduled with a neuromuscular specialist in about 2 weeks. I've spent much of the past few months walking with a cane, and the contractions now seem to be ever-present, at least to a degree.

I'm not really concerned about ALS, but I guess I am a little bit concerned about something like PLS at this point. I was under the impression that an EMG couldn't pick up on damage to anything "upper", but then my current specialist said that's exactly what they would be looking for. Is this even possible?

Thank you for your time! I know you guys get a lot of questions, so I appreciate the insight.


Felix

 

[Firefighter58]

I would suggest you wait until you see your specialist, ask he/her the questions.
Al

 

[Nikki J]

Hi. I remember you well and am sorry that the movement disorder clinic did not yield an answer.

Could the neuro have meant the emg is to confirm umn problems only? It would be standard if pls is suspected to do the emg to rule out umn dominant ALS. Let us know what happens and what you find out

 

[Felix]

Hi Al - The doctors have been somewhat opaque about things, unfortunately, which is why I posted here.

Hi Nikki - thanks for your response. You're right - that's probably what the specialist meant, despite her wording. I'm assuming there are many causes of things like clonus and dystonia, so I'm not walking in looking for it to be related to motor neuron stuff. I just want to be prepared, as I've walked out of previous appts. scratching my head and feeling like I didn't ask a single question.