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dldred

Senior member
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
531
Reason
Lost a loved one
Diagnosis
03/2009
Country
US
State
NY
City
Chateaugay
Hi everyone, my mom got the results of her emg and I don't have a clue how to read them. I figured if I posted them here you could help me. I am sorry this is so long but this is the doctors findings:

1) This is an abnormal study.
2) Both upper and lower extremity muscles shows diffused dennervation potentials with widespread fibrillation potentials and positive waves of all the muscle tested at both upper and lower exremeties. The left tongue shows fibrillation potentials as well. There are 4 muscles that show 1+ fasciculations which includes the left pronator terres, right flexor carpi radialis, left rectus femoris and right rectus femoris muscles.
3) The nerve conduction studies show axonal degeneration with demyelination of both peroneal and posterior tibial nerves, but the sensory conduction of both median and ulnar nerves was normal as well as the right sural nerve, except for the left sural nerve.
4) These electrodiagnostic studies is compatible with a motor neuron disease as it follows the electrophysiologic criteria of:
i. Wide spread fibrillation and positive waves in the upper and lower extremity
muscles with fasciculation of 2 muscles in the upper and lower extremity.
ii. The sensory fibers are not affected as the sensory conduction from both median
and ulnar nerves and the right sural nerves were normal.
iii. There is presence of fibrillation potentials for the left tongue.
iv. The motor nerve conduction studies showed slowing with the reduction of the
amplitude of the muscle action potential.

Once again I appreciate everyones input, you never let me down.

Thanks
Dana
 
Dana,

The doctor stated that the exam results were compatible with a motor neuron disease. I would ask the doctor if there is anything else it could be compatible with. If not, why not?

I'm not trained in the fine art of interpreting EMG/NCV findings. Thow me a few lines of morse code and you're in!

Zaphoon
 
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Dana,
It sounds like MND from all the research I have done on EMG's, sorry to say that.
 
I'm sorry Dana... the some of those words and phrases came up in my own mum's report, and she has MND.

I hate this bloody disease. I noticed some muscle atrophy on my mum's hip tonight when I was rubbing a strained muscle in the back of her thigh. i managed not to throw up until i got back down stairs.
 
I am not denying that is is some sort of MND, but there are some things that have me stumped. She has had symptoms for almost three years now, but no muscle atrophy. The twitching has stopped, her hands are stronger, and her speech pathologist told her there is no trouble with her swallowing just her speech. I agree with the fact that many things go along with the MND diagnosis, but some things don't. She has an appointment on June 10th with a different neuro so I guess we will see what he has to say. My mom was not able to wiggle her toes a few months ago, she now does that very well. She could not open jars before, she called me yesterday to report she opened a jar of sauce with no problem. She has had no progression in about a year, so I guess we won't worry about what stupid name they give this, we will just going on enjoying the time we have.

Thanks everyone for the info.

Dana
 
Dana,

With three years of very slow progression, erratic reversals in major muscle strength and no atrophy, your mother is certainly an anomaly. I would guess that she is a very slow progressor and has many years ahead of her.
 
Dana,

Was this an EMG done by the first neuro (the one you didn't care for?), or by an ALS specialist? You said you were going to another neuro on June 10th- can you clarify?

Perhaps Wright (the "in-house professor") will see this and comment.
 
I don't think you regain lost strength with ALS. You can experience remissions with MS where strength is regained. I'm no medical professional, though.

I'm hoping she has something else. Here's hoping June 10th brings better news!

Zaphoon
 
The EMG was done by a different Dr., she saw him only for the purpose of the EMG. He was the one that wanted her to have the MRI. As for the first neuro , I am basically ignoring everything she had to say. We are going to different neuro on the 10th. We have heard so many people say so many different things about her symptoms, it is getting very confusing. It would be nice to have a definite diagnosis for my mom and let her get on with living her life, she has an amazing attitude. Her saying through all of this is " it is what it is and I can't change it, but I am not going to let it beat me". She is one strong lady. I appreciate all of your help and I will keep you updated.

Thanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Much

Dana
 
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