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edwards5257

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IF you didn't get an EMG but on your two legs and you think that MAYBE you have some type of Bulbar issues (much swallowing problems, but still able to eat, mouth and tongue and facial problems, weakness of tongue, numb feelings around and on tongue, etc.) would Bulbar have shown up on the EMG without doing one in the mouth region. ALSO, are the first symptoms of Bulbar usually speech in stead of swallowing issues? Post if you would.
 
ALS needs to be present of 3 of 4 regions to be ALS Since you had nothing in the EMG of the areas tested, the Doctor probably decided it was not necessary. This is a question you need to ask your doctor. Did he suggest a follow up, or suggest any treatment plan?
 
Edwards,
My husband is a bulbarian that first had issues with speech, his dentist noticed his tongue drooping to the right which sent us to his PCP and on to a neurologist, ENT, oral surgeon, with a diagnosis a year later. Rog knew what word he wanted to say, but he couldn't get the word out and at the end of the day he would sound hoarse or drunk. He had just retired so it didn't affect his job. He now is mute and uses a g-tube and formula.

Jen
 
Yes the emg could be normal if he stopped at your legs.I started with slurred speech

Don't know why he stopped
 
THANKS to all for your replies, I intend to ask the neuro muscular specialist (ALS specialist) when I go the end of the month at Washington
U if addl EMG's need to be done. I have read that if you get an EMG and it is negative (mine was!) that it doesn't matter where you had it done, if negative then no ALS. ?
 
My EMG's were negative in the beginning for ALS. Later the neurologist diagnosed me w/ ALS b/c of other progression. Mine started bulbar, then years later progressed to balance issues and weakness in hands and legs.

Your posts may get a better response in the "Do I have ALS forum"
 
THANKS ltbeauti, sorry for your diagnosis, I will try your suggestion on other site(s) here!
 
I disagree, I have been led to believe otherwise. But ask your Doctor. I just did Google search typing in EMG and Bulbar ALS. It leads to a post on aboutbfs.com. I suggest you go to that site, as it seems they have quite a lot of posts on EMGS that are clean, and why a clean EMG means no ALS is true 99% of the time.
 
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THANK YOU SadieMae, I will google that for sure. Appreciatiate your response.
 
THANK YOU Sadie Mae. I appreciate your response!
 
My first EMG in Feb 12 was totally normal although I was exhibiting slurred speech. I have since been diagnosed with psuedo bulbar palsy and will have a second EMG in August. I really need an ALS diagnosis to get medicare!
 
I disagree, I have been led to believe otherwise. But ask your Doctor. I just did Google search typing in EMG and Bulbar ALS. It leads to a post on aboutbfs.com. I suggest you go to that site, as it seems they have quite a lot of posts on EMGS that are clean, and why a clean EMG means no ALS is true 99% of the time.


Weren't we told not to google .I disagree Some of us prove that on This post

we have had clean emgs with bulbar onset

Lets not open up aanother can of worms please
 
I disagree, I have been led to believe otherwise. But ask your Doctor. I just did Google search typing in EMG and Bulbar ALS. It leads to a post on aboutbfs.com. I suggest you go to that site, as it seems they have quite a lot of posts on EMGS that are clean, and why a clean EMG means no ALS is true 99% of the time.

We are told to stay away from googling the internet and your opening a can of worms

I and others right on this post had clean emgs with bulbar onset


not saying it's always the case

Pat
 
Jamiem

That's a horrendous quandary to find yourself in; I'm really sorry that you have to be diagnosed with ALS in order to get medical treatment!
 
Every case is so different. My husband only had slurred speech, EMG was only done on his limbs, not the tongue, but his ALS was confirmed this way. He was at least glad they didn't put that needle in his tongue! It's been almost 6 months since diagnosis, more difficulty eating, limbs have some twitching but all in all he's doing pretty well at this point.
 
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