does als and myathenia gravis emg read the same

[cjfarm]

Hello. I went for my emg today. The dr is amazingly wonderful but I'm confused. She did my emg and said she is sending me to mda/als clinic at u of Mich. She said it might be myathenia gravis and gave me papers for bloodwork. Plus gave me a letter for disability stating she considers me fully disabled. I thought after this emg it would be a definite thing. Does the emg read the same for MG and ALS? Thank you for anyone reading and responding.

 

[cjfarm]

I forgot to say this was 2nd opinion because I didn't like the dr last month that said he believed it was als also.

 

[Atsugi]

Sorry to hear that your doctors diagnosed ALS.

The EMG doesn't test for ALS, per se. It shows them what's going on with your nervous system. There are many tests which must rule out many other diseases before settling on a diagnosis of ALS. The specialists at UM will be even more experienced.

Good luck.

 

[MaxEidswick]

>she is sending me to mda/als clinic at u of Mich.

that is Amy Feldman's clinic --- very highly respected and doing groung breaking stem cell ALS work. Any idea when you will go? waiting can be hard. very hard.

 

[cjfarm]

Thank you for your reply. So MG and ALS must look the same on it I'm guessing. I am really scared. I am 35 with a 3, 9, 12 ,14 year olds and a husband whose a stroke victim. I am at the bottom of the barrel right now.

 

[cjfarm]

Oh my gosh now it's killing me. She sent me for blood today for the possible but not likely MG. I meet back with her on Dec 4 and she said she will have everything set up.

 

[MaxEidswick]

>I am at the bottom of the barrel right now.

be careful ... anxiety & stress can really make things worse. contact the doc and explain how you are feeling, perhaps you can get some meds for short term relief.

Is your husband able to get around? does he know what's going on with you? are you a vet?

ALS sucks.

 

[GregK]

No one here has stated that they've knowledge that ALS and MG present the same on an EMG, so you are jumping to a conclusion. Don't.

The Mayo Clinic lists a few tests for MG, compare these to what you've had or been scheduled for.

 

[cjfarm]

I forgot to ask her today for meds. He gets around ok but his thinking isn't all there most days. Especially with the kid stuff. He does know what's going on and is completely with me on everything. He's going through angry stage while I cry all the time. Definitely not our norm. I am not a vet. I did hair since I was 16.

 

[GregK]

There appears to be a number of MG forums on the Internet. Drop "myasthenia gravis forum" into Google and you'll find them.

 

[Nikki J]

No they don't look the same. They have some things in common on EMG but there are differences as well. It sounds like perhaps your EMG was not classic for either perhaps? There is a special kind of EMG ( single fibre) that is done if they are looking seriously at MG. When you get to UM they will be able to put it together. Statistically at least you seem more likely to have MG as a young woman without family history

 

[MaxEidswick]

since my typing is so bad, I have a text file of some useful stuff:

------

#1 don't fall
#2 don't hang around sick people, at 1st sign of respiratory issue go to doc
#3 conserve energy, rest, never push it, try to relax

ALS is about living, not dying!

------

like all the others, sorry to meet you here but welcome!

The next weeks, months will be an emotional roller coaster. Try to go with the flow, expect fear, anger, bitterness, and a new awareness of life. I have found that being active here on these forums has helped me in way I cannot explain, but you will see.

before trying miracle cures, etc., ask here, go to alsuntangled dot com.

Lastly, anxiety can be debilitating so beware.

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I think your 1st point is right, no way to guess. I do know it is healthier to be thankful for what still works than to resent what doesn't (easier said than done ) -- there is one fellow on here today in his 8th year. Me, I'm hoping to make it to one more season, as Michigan has blown it to hell again this year - they are playing worse than I'm talking :-(

 

[cjfarm]

There appears to be a number of MG forums on the Internet. Drop "myasthenia gravis forum" into Google and you'll find them.

I will do that. Thank you. I went to this dr because the first dr said ALS/AND. I didn't like that so I went to the 2nd one today. She says same thing but maybe MG. I think she might feel sorry for me. I never say this about drs but she is the most wonderful caring dr I have ever met.

 

[cjfarm]

I posted replies to all of you and I don't know where they went. I'll wait to see if they show up. Thank you guys for all your help and thoughtfulness. It's appreciated.

 

[gooseberry]

That was a differential for my husband mg vs als. Blood tests ruled mg out. Please dont panic. Wait until you see the als specialist. Not all neurologists are comfortable diagnosing als. It is best done by a specialist. Ditto what max said about anxiety. If you are having any, get help. It will only grow .