Hi, I think I read it on this site that having no Babinski could indicate that enough damage was done so that the limb no longer is able to respond with a reflex. It is the weaker foot that has no reflex.
I'm not trying to "convince" anyone as to what's going on with me - I can see it myself. I agree Rom623 about not saying "I think I have ALS!" because that does seem to make the Dr.s less inclined to take you seriously. I may have hurt my own case by telling my neuro that. It's also odd that I constantly have fasics, yet the EMG detected NONE, in any of the many areas he tested. How can that be, when I feel them ALL the time? It makes me wonder what ELSE he missed.
I posted my situation on an "ask the expert" website, that is where I discovered an early EMG could miss ALS (I have been searching for answers as to what's going on with me everywhere I can):
Dear User, Your question was as follows : I'm a 36 year old female. I am 5'6' and previously was a healthy 138 lbs. In the last 6 weeks, I have developed strong fasiculations and lost 10 lbs. My hand is noticably atrophied, as is my foot (both on right side). I have had no cramping. I have what I believe overall muscle mass loss, and my strength is diminished. I have seen a neuro 2 weeks ago, who forwarded me to an EMG appt. last week. The prelim. results were that they did not point toward ALS, nothing was terribly abnormal.My question is; how can I have ok EMG results when in fact I can see and feel the atrophy? Can an EMG miss early ALS, or does the fact that I've got fasics/atrophy mean SOMETHING should have shown up? I was tested in both legs, weaker arm, back, and neck areas. Thank you.Missy - PS, I am going on Wed for 'results' - formal results, of my EMG.
Here is Kathleen Costello's answer: Yes an EMG can miss early ALS and often has to be repeated after an interval e.g. 6 months. If you have atrophy of your right hand and foot then there may be other neurological or neuromuscular conditions that may account for this and you will need close follow up with your neurologist. Thank you, Ask The Expert Administrator
Even SHE says close follow up with a neuro is recommended. Wheeler, I do not have Lyme.
Basically, I just want some answers from a qualified neuro who has seen ALS, and can see me and what is happening.
I looked at my EMG report again, the first page has tons of numbers I do not understand, the next page has categories where everything says only either "0" (fasics and fibs) or "N" for normal. It only took him an hour to do all the areas and they had told me to plan on 90 minutes. So who knows if he rushed it.