Emg test

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Carol2

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Nov 20, 2017
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Learn about ALS
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Uni
State
KY
City
owensboro
Has anyone it said by neuro gist that is doing the emg test, say the sounds of you emg that he heard means als
 
This was moved as you do not say you have a diagnosis.

The diagnosis of ALS is made through a combination of clinical exam, EMG results and tests to exclude mimics
 
The doctor said he believed it is also but can't say 100 percent time will tell. I have all kinds of test done all negative, 3 months ago had emg/never test done als ruled out, went to a new neuro doctor he did a emg only and he said by the sounds the machine made he believes that I have als
 
Was the second doctor an ALS specialist? If not suggest you follow up with one. If you get a copy of the EMG report we might be able to tell you more.

Time will tell comment sounds like it was not an EMG that met diagnostic criteria for ALS.

Waiting is very very hard but sometimes it is necessary to make or rule out a diagnosis.

If ALS has been put on the table it is really important that you be under the care of a neuromuscular specialist. We have seen people here that were even given firm ALS diagnoses by neurologists that were overturned by the neuromuscular doctor
 
It was a neurologists at the University of Louisville, I was sent to him by my neuro . He sent a letter to the disability people stating I have some forms of als.
 
Did you see Dr Wang? He and Dr Brown appear to be the neuromuscular doctors there but Dr Brown seems to be a pediatric neuromuscular specialist. If you did not and were not referred to the ALS clinic ask to see him
 
I saw doctor brown, he did the emg test only on lower back area, why would the emg test 3 months ago be ok,and this one not be, he said I could go to vanderbelt and get another opinion but I don't know if I should
 
Another opinion is definitely a good idea.

I am confused. He only did the back ? Paraspinals? And said likely ALS but time will tell? Then filled out forms that said ALS?

Usually when an EMG is suspicious for ALS they continue to other areas to check for involvement. True the back muscles can be very sensitive for ALS but still...

Why did the previous EMg not show? Examiner differences, different areas tested? Did EMG 1 include the back?
 
The 1st emg included legs,arms,back,neck. This one he did ultrasound of one arm,jaw,back to see muscle twisting he check lower back and jaw he said found in lower back but none in jaw. I have trouble walking and talking slow talking, my neuro problem clonsis,hypereflexs,stiff muscles, I am 57 years old and this all started 1 year ago, been doing test now since may.
 
I am sorry this must be terribly frightening. I do think you should get a second opinion. Everyone should.

I would also get copies of my medical records and ask for clarification of the time will tell comment. If he wrote ALS on disabilty forms that doesn't make sense.

If the ALS is a definite diagnosis you should have been offered riluzole set up with the ALS clinic and discussed radicava. You are owed answers and a plan going forward.
 
I was offered riluzole but refused because he said he couldn't say 100 percent that it is also, I don't understand why he wouldn't say 100 percent if he was going to give me medication for als, my husband keeps saying he didn't say 100 percent so his hopes are high. I go back in January to see him again thank you so much for talking to me.
 
Can anyone explain why neuro wrote a letter to disability office stating slow progressive form of ALS. But when I ask so I do have ALS he said I can't say 100 percent you do.
 
ALS is a diagnosis of elimination. I was offered Riluzole when I had a "probable" diagnosis. The doctor said it "wouldn't hurt and if I did have ALS, it works better when it is started earlier."

The way they diagnose it is to match up your clinical presentation (weakness, atrophy, brisk reflexes) with the EMG results. Sometimes the clinical presentation lacks something to meet the criteria. The EMG results are very important because the clinical things can be present in other diseases.

If I were you I would gather up all my records, along with doctors' notes, and get another opinion from a neuromuscular ALS specialist.

I got four opinions from ALS doctors because I was so strong for so long.

You'll have to ask the neuro why he wrote the letter. I do know letters are written when the diagnosis is "probable". Not sure if a neuro would write it if the dx was "possible."
 
Carol, this sounds so very familiar. After ruling out everything else and consulting with 2 other docs (Kaiser), my original Neuro doc did an EMG; it was inconclusive. A follow up 6 months later she ‘heard’ enough to send me to the ALS Clinic doc. He did his own test. That’s a lot of needles! That he repeated it so soon after implies that this is subjective, that he wanted to ‘hear’ it for himself. He diagnosed me with a ‘variant of ALS’, a slow progressive form, thus not 100% ALS. My symptoms are more like PLS.

Hopefully he can explain it to you better in your January visit. Write down your questions ahead of time so you can keep focused. It can be confusing. This is not a precise science. Nice to have your hubby with you. If it is still unclear, yes, go for another opinion. That would be my suggestion.

Good luck.

Betty (lower limb onset, 2013)
 
Thank you, how are doing now and when did you get diagnosis.
 
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