New member looking for support prior to EMG

[Riz38]

Hello everyone, 38 yo here who was in great shape until he realized his right arm progressively became weaker, from lifting 30 lbs easily to not being able to lift 12lbs. Fasiculations normally appear after strenous activity, sometimes at rest too. Thankful to still have grip strength and able to do a shoulder press and chest press with the bar but curling is a no go. It seems to be just my right bicep, and it gets tight were my arm will be in an L position for a few seconds, it’s nothing I have seem before! No other area but my right bicep for now. Right bicep and left bicep seem like the same size even after months of this arm issue (really noticed the fasics around June this year) getting EMG in Monday 22nd !

 

[Nikki J]

Hi were there any clinical findings such as abnormal reflexes? Did the doctor find weakness elsewhere? Isolated weakness usually has a much more benign localized cause so hoping to hear good news on Monday from you!

 

[Riz38]

Hi Nikki, the general neuro did not mention abnormal reflexes and we did not find any other weaknesses, yes it is very much localized to the bicep but from what I read from “ Dr. Google” was that it starts in a limb and progresses from there. IDK I am pretty worried at this point, rather speak with actual people experiences than Google.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

First thing I would think of is a musculoskeletal problem like biceps tendinitis. Fasciculations are common, nonspecific, and meaningless.

I wouldn’t worry about ALS but hopefully the EMG will reassure you. Next step would be an orthopedist or sports medicine specialist. And hopefully some physical therapy.

 

[Riz38]

Hi Karen, I thought so as well, but it’s like I stopped off and on since Feb. this year to continue lifting because if the issue, it’s definitely a non motivational issue. Inwish the doc was reassuring as you are about the fasics, his seemed pretty amazed at how it was jumping all iver the place on my arm.

 

[Riz38]

Btw taking Flexeril for now to control spastics, my arm hasn’t been stuck in a L postion after flexing the bicep above my shoulder or reaching behind my neck (seems to be the only time it does this.) it’s some tightness I feel the overcontradiction but not stuck if that makes sense. Still able to do light functions and move my lower right arm full range of motion. If anyone had these symptoms from the beginning please chime in, thanks ����

 

[dldugan]

There are a lot of things this could be. Most likely not ALS, but if your EMG comes back inconclusive make certain you get a second opinion from a muscular neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic. They are rated by many as the top ALS clinic in the US.

 

[Riz38]

Dldugan, thanks , I am going to the Cleveland Clinic main campus for the emg and the neuro muscle doc too the following week! Thanks again for your reply

 

[Riz38]

According to their professional opinion at Cleveland Clinc EMG ,it’s a isolated problem with a root nerve that’s possibly pinched, causing weakness in my bicep , they still advise to follow up with a neuromuscular doc next week, and they did not detect any other abnormal signals throughout the exam. If anything else comes up as far as MND I will post, I’m sure this can be good info for people searching thru your forum.

 

[lgelb]

Thanks for the update -- it does help others.

 

[Riz38]

Went thru another assessment with the neuromuscular docs , they requested an MRI because they wanna look at my neck/spine, they advise no “active denervation” but it’s chronic in just my bicep. She also mentioned it’s static and the EMG did not indicate progression in denervation. I’m gonna post again with an official diagnosis hopefully after Nov. 15, I’m nervous as hell and my anxiety is theu the roof btw. The doc said the only things that’s uncommon is the fasiculations and that it’s painless for a pinched nerve ( as they speculate) but my trust is fully in there hands right now.

 

[lgelb]

It is not unknown for a pinched nerve to be painless, or your focus on the fascics may somewhat mask the perception of pain. Holding good thoughts as I really don't think this is a disseminated problem.

 

[Riz38]

Thank you lgelb, and I don’t mean to drag this on, hopefully when this is all done with a diagnosis people searching thru the forum in this section can read about this particular issue. Thanks again for your good thoughts and for the painless pinched nerve comment, I’ve read about it can be painless as well yet that really confused the doctor lol

 

[Riz38]

Moved my MRI to last night. Got a call today. No pinched nerve, doc told me I have a very prestine spine, he said avoid caffeine, drink tonic water twice a day and continue physical therapy. I’m suppose to call him in a few weeks and follow up in a few months to see if it got worse .... IDK what to make of all this. Just to correct, they found issues with root nerve in bicep AND deltoid, I guess I misunderstood them initially. IDK what to do. Lost and perplexed like they are....