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jessB

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Starting in May of this year, my Dad Who is 51 years old began to have numbness in his foot and was unable to flex it. He chalked it up to a pinched nerve at first. Then he started tripping, and began falling down frequently. He also began to become tired easily, not being able to perform some of him favorite tasks (like yard work). He went to the doctor, and had blood work (which came back normal), x-rays (normal too), and an mri (normal as well). His walking has become so labored that he has a foot brace being made and he must walk with a cane. Walking up stairs even exhausts him. Now in the past few weeks his one arm and hand has become weak.
He was sent to a neurologist and has lots of twitching, (the doctor even noticed some small twitches on his chest and torso which my Mom didn't even notice until he pointed it out) He said it was definitely a degenerative nerve condition of some sort.
Well, he had the emg today. (From the neorosurgeon the neurologist sent him to) They were hoping that it was a condition that was similar to ALS, but slower developing and not as bad (don't know the name, something- neuropathy). From the emg, it was clear that it cannot be that other disease, and that from the emg he thinks it's als.
The only hope is that he thinks there is a small chance it could be West Nile Virus since he has no upper motor neurons affected at this point. He is being sent to an ALS specialist next.
Does anyone have any input on what this sounds like?
My Dad has been healthy and active until now. He travels a lot out of the counrty for work, so I don't know if could have maybe picked up a foreign virus.
Also, how clear are the emg's? I live far from my family right now, and I get all of the info about his condition through my mom. I think she is in denial, so I often think she may be sugar coating things. She is so full of hope still, but I want to be realistic.

Sorry this is so long, and thank you so much for any input.
 
I just wanted to post and say that from what I understand an EMG is the most definitive test for ALS. Someone please come along and slap me on the wrist if I am wrong.

I think it is good that he is going to the ALS clinic and I'm sure that it will be very helpful for both of your parents. I would do the same.

And while I am so sorry for the reason you are here, I wanted to say welcome to the forum. This is the most amazing place for people who have been facing symptoms, waiting for a diagnosis, and those who are diagnosed with ALS/MND and those who are caring for those who have ALS.

There are many people on here who have a lot of knowledge on the subject and can hopefully be more helpful.

jennifer
 
JessB,

We have at least one frequent poster (Wright) with extensive knowledge of EMG's. You might want to look at older posts while waiting for some more respones to this thread. It sounds like the Dr. may have suspected multifocal motor neuropathy based on the lack of upper motor neuron symptoms. It is a disease that mimics ALS. Best of luck.

Robert
 
thank you jennifer,

We may move back home to help out with my family, I still have 2 brother that are young (13 and 16) and they are all going to need me if it is ALS. This is so crazy how it can come out of nowhere.
Its also hard being 17 hours away right now, because if the emg is pretty definitive, I want to begin to hash out how my husband and I are going to move back home.
I know my parent don't want to worry me, but I want to know the truth, and if it's really looking bad, I really want to be there. It's comforting to know this is a welcoming place to come for support.
 
You cannot diagnos ALS with an EMG alone the clinical picture has to match also, his numbness points away from ALS.
 
also, I'm pretty sure that they ruled out MMN with the emg today, that is why the one thing left that the neurosurgeon thinks it may be is West Nile Virus. He said he thinks it is ALS, but that it may be West Nile. I am no doctor, but this sounds kind of strange to me.
 
You cannot diagnos ALS with an EMG alone the clinical picture has to match also, his numbness points away from ALS.

do you have a clue as to where it could point towards? maybe a virus?
 
Having lost my mother to cancer this year, I know it can be hard to adjust your lifestyle to care for an ailing parent. My sympathy goes out to you.

I did want to follow up by saying that the EMG is one diagnostic tool in helping to discover the cause of muscle weakness. A definitive diagnosis of ALS requires the clinical identification of both upper and lower motor neuron symptoms that cannot be explained by any other injury or disease process. It is important to make sure that your father is being seen by a certified ALS clinic if ALS is a likely possibility.

Take care,

Robert
 
OK, sorry I just called my mom to tell her that numbness points away from ALS, and I was mistaken, he had twitching and weakness, as well as not being able to flex his foot.
 
Having lost my mother to cancer this year, I know it can be hard to adjust your lifestyle to care for an ailing parent. My sympathy goes out to you.

I did want to follow up by saying that the EMG is one diagnostic tool in helping to discover the cause of muscle weakness. A definitive diagnosis of ALS requires the clinical identification of both upper and lower motor neuron symptoms that cannot be explained by any other injury or disease process. It is important to make sure that your father is being seen by a certified ALS clinic if ALS is a likely possibility.

Take care,

Robert

Thank you,
Your whole world can be turned upside down in an instant, life is so sad that way. I'm sorry for the loss of your mother.
 
Very generally an EMG measures the electrical activity in a muscle. It can be used to evaluate the communication between the nervous system and muscle. Hopefully one of our in house experts will give more detail.

This thread is moving along at a good clip so I apologize in advance if this is redundant.

Robert
 
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I appologize if I sound frantic with how many times I have replied, I am just freaked out right now.
To clarify, my Dad has not had numbness as I had stated in my oribinal post.
 
I think he will be in good hands if sent to an ALS specialist. I misread your first post, is it at an ALS clinic?

And, yes, I ditto the suggestion of getting an opinion from Wright. He is very helpful, knowledgeable and honest...as are others here.

You want honesty and I understand that completely, especially since you need to make plans. Typically everyone recommends listening to the neurologist. I would suggest getting a second opinion, which is something else I would definitely do but since he is being sent to a specialist, I guess that would be the second opinion?
 
And don't worry about sounding frantic. You sound like a concerned and loving daughter!

How many siblings do you have in all? Is your mom in good health?
 
And don't worry about sounding frantic. You sound like a concerned and loving daughter!

How many siblings do you have in all? Is your mom in good health?

I have 3 all together 18, 16, and 13. I am the oldest at 25, and just had my first child 2 months ago. My mom is in good health, but I know she will need me to be near.

Also, this was the second oppinion (with the emg), and the ALS specialist will be number 3. I don't know if it is an ALS clinic, my mom just said specialist. They are in Pittsburgh PA, and it seems like the doctors have been focusing on trying to find another cause for his symptoms, but they are honing in closer and closer to ALS. I've got no one to talk to really where I live, besides my husband, so you don't know how much your kind words mean to me.
 
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