wright
Very helpful member
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- Jan 12, 2008
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Hello JessB
You ask how definitive the EMG is: if in the right hands, it is a very powerful tool that tests the health of nerves as well as their contact with muscles. It can shed a lot of light on problems with the nervous system and muscular system (it is used to diagnose everything from carpal tunnel to muscular dystrophy to ALS and everything in-between). I'm a bit confused as to why your neuro sent your father to a neurosurgeon to get one done, though.
Robert (planningguy) was correct in pointing out that they were looking for multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) which IS NOT a type of motor neuron disease but rather a type of peripheral neuropathy (a neuropathy is a condition where nerves are directly damaged). MMN is also treatable. There is one distinctive feature of MMN that shows-up on an EMG called conduction block. However, in rare cases conduction block is not picked-up by the EMG. The absence of conduction block is probably why the neurosurgeon doesn't think it's MMN . . . but I would put more trust in an ALS specialist to perform and interpret the EMG. He will definitely be getting another EMG when he goes to his appointment.
I know of many studies that have shown West Nile Virus can infilitrate the central nervous system and damage motor neurons . . . and as a consequence . . . mimic ALS symptoms. Given your father's travels, it is definitely a possibility. Lyme disease is another possibility.
If you can somehow get a hold of his EMG results, I can look at it and give you some further opinions.
Do your best to remain calm, because your father has yet to see the EXPERTS when it comes to ALS. His ALS specialist will pursue every and all other possibilities. He will be ini very good hands.
Take care and lean on us when you feel the need.
You ask how definitive the EMG is: if in the right hands, it is a very powerful tool that tests the health of nerves as well as their contact with muscles. It can shed a lot of light on problems with the nervous system and muscular system (it is used to diagnose everything from carpal tunnel to muscular dystrophy to ALS and everything in-between). I'm a bit confused as to why your neuro sent your father to a neurosurgeon to get one done, though.
Robert (planningguy) was correct in pointing out that they were looking for multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) which IS NOT a type of motor neuron disease but rather a type of peripheral neuropathy (a neuropathy is a condition where nerves are directly damaged). MMN is also treatable. There is one distinctive feature of MMN that shows-up on an EMG called conduction block. However, in rare cases conduction block is not picked-up by the EMG. The absence of conduction block is probably why the neurosurgeon doesn't think it's MMN . . . but I would put more trust in an ALS specialist to perform and interpret the EMG. He will definitely be getting another EMG when he goes to his appointment.
I know of many studies that have shown West Nile Virus can infilitrate the central nervous system and damage motor neurons . . . and as a consequence . . . mimic ALS symptoms. Given your father's travels, it is definitely a possibility. Lyme disease is another possibility.
If you can somehow get a hold of his EMG results, I can look at it and give you some further opinions.
Do your best to remain calm, because your father has yet to see the EXPERTS when it comes to ALS. His ALS specialist will pursue every and all other possibilities. He will be ini very good hands.
Take care and lean on us when you feel the need.