EMG length question

[peanut78]

Hi Everyone,
I just had an EMG/NCV and was wondering how long they usually last. The NCV part (shock part) lasted about 20-30 mins, but the EMG portion was very fast. The doctor put all the needles in my arm and leg and listened for about 2 mins and said everything was normal. Is this a normal amount of time? The EMG part seemed very fast to me.

 

[Jeliota]

Sounds very normal. Congratulations! That's fantastic news.

Now get off the ALS boards and back to a normal life! If you find that difficult, seek help for your anxiety. Don't let your fears for something you don't have ruin your life.

 

[peanut78]

Thank you for your response. It just seemed very quick to be able to say it sounds normal.

 

[ZenArcher]

In my case they saw issues so they kept going. Three limbs, both arms and a leg, as well as hips and back. The fact that they finished quickly is a good thing. This means there was nothing showing to give them reason to look deeper. Having said that I still think my first EMG was less than 30 minutes although it's hard to tell with someone stabbing an electrode into your muscle.

 

[peanut78]

Thanks Jeff. So you think even just a couple of minutes is adequate for the EMG part?

 

[ZenArcher]

I think that the doctor will look until they don't need to anymore. I'm not an expert nor am I medically trained. If you don't believe this doctor go to another and get a second opinion. That sounds rather snide after reading it and its not meant to be. I guess a better way to put it is like this: If you trust your doctor then trust his findings, I'm not saying don't question - always question. If you don't trust your doctor find another doctor. Did you discuss this with the neuro at the time? What did he/she have to say?

 

[Peg B]

Hi,

My first EMG/NVC was about, it seemed 2 hours. It was 2003. I asked if I could have MS or ALS as I had been having trouble writing checks about 6 months and she could see muscle waisting in my hand - NO pinched nerve. End of September 2006 I could not move my baby finger at all. My legs and back ached but I had arthritis and thought it was getting worse. I went to a hand surgeon but no broken finger. He sent me to a neuro. So I went on my lunch hour. This Dr. warmed my arms first and then gave me the EMG"/NVC but as ZenArcher said, he kept going and going and growing obviously concerned. He asked me if I had heard of ALS and was sure I had it but wanted a second opnion. He had seen many ALS patients before (I understand some neuros never have). That EMG/NVC lasted about 45 minutes it was a 30 minute appointment. I was a few minutes late for a meeting so I remember.

My EMG/NVC at the U of M ALS clinic lasted about 3.5 hours and included the clinical eval and they gave the DX MMN or "Atypical ALS." Results were found as abnormal in (3 limbs) 2 arms and one leg. I asked the Doc on Aug 30, 2007 if they only test 3 limbs and assume the 4th is abonormal too and she sid yes. It seems its not the length of time but what they find. Hope this helps, Peg