I am new here. Very scared and need some wisdom. I am a 35 year old female with a 41/2 year old daughter and a 4 month old son. I've been through a lot this past year, but I'll make a long story short...
I have significant quadricep atrophy in my left thigh that I noticed about a year ago. No clinical muscle weakness although I personally feel weak with twitching in all four limbs and tongue and lots of muscle pain/ cramping. My reflexes are "jumpy" but within normal range for my age (according to my neurologist). I have been through numerous MRIs, blood tests, 3 EMG/NCV tests, with the last one being at a teaching hospital/ ALS clinic. Here is the report:
There is electrophysiological evidence of mild chronic denervation changes in the left lower limb. (A few polyphasic motor unit potentials were seen in left TA and left vastus lateralis muscle. Motor unit potentials with increased amplitude were seen in the left vastus lateralis muscle.)
No evidence of active denervation was seen.
Compared to the study in Feb. 2011, the active denervation in tibialis anterior is not seen.
I guess I am looking for some reassurance that this is not ALS and also am wondering if other limbs should be tested to look for active denervation or if this is enough evidence to rule out ALS (since they tested the affected leg with atrophy)? Only two muscles were tested though and I'm concerned that maybe other muscles might have shown active denervation. I don't know... any wisdom would be appreciated. I am very scared.
I have significant quadricep atrophy in my left thigh that I noticed about a year ago. No clinical muscle weakness although I personally feel weak with twitching in all four limbs and tongue and lots of muscle pain/ cramping. My reflexes are "jumpy" but within normal range for my age (according to my neurologist). I have been through numerous MRIs, blood tests, 3 EMG/NCV tests, with the last one being at a teaching hospital/ ALS clinic. Here is the report:
There is electrophysiological evidence of mild chronic denervation changes in the left lower limb. (A few polyphasic motor unit potentials were seen in left TA and left vastus lateralis muscle. Motor unit potentials with increased amplitude were seen in the left vastus lateralis muscle.)
No evidence of active denervation was seen.
Compared to the study in Feb. 2011, the active denervation in tibialis anterior is not seen.
I guess I am looking for some reassurance that this is not ALS and also am wondering if other limbs should be tested to look for active denervation or if this is enough evidence to rule out ALS (since they tested the affected leg with atrophy)? Only two muscles were tested though and I'm concerned that maybe other muscles might have shown active denervation. I don't know... any wisdom would be appreciated. I am very scared.