Hi there .. This is my first post.

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We have answered the atrophy / weakness question many times. They generally come in close proximity depending on the type of ALS and the muscles involved, with weakness preceding atrophy. There is no set time interval as people vary in how muscular they are at the beginning, what physical activities they do, how well some muscles can compensate for others, etc. The real clue to know something is up, is functional limitations, not how much atrophy there is or exactly when it starts. But even then, most limitations are not due to ALS.

The EMG/NCS is designed to identify any abnormalities in motor and sensory nerves, problems with the nerve-to-muscle signals that make muscles move, and problems with the muscles themselves. It looks for many things besides ALS.
i apologize Laurie but no one said which came first weakness or atrophy.

I know what the EMG looks for my question was how long are they good for? Thank you
 
First to let everyone know Cheryl researched the text. It has nothing to do with the forum. Your contact information remains only viewable to the moderation team.

secondly, Cheryl your emg should pick up lower motor damage very early. Before weakness, atrophy, loss of function etc. When doctors are following an ABNORMAL emg 6 months would be the standard interval
 
For my husband, the EMG picked up right leg deterioration and something "off" in his left forearm on May 30, 2017, his diagnosis date. He started showing symptoms of drop foot on his right side around the beginning of 2019 and inability to do zippers and grasp small objects with his left hand around mid-year 2019. So you see, the EMG picked up ALS signs long before symptoms manifested.

The question of weakness before atrophy or vice versa has been asked and answered a lot. A lot, a lot. The inability to use a muscle comes first and because of that muscle not being used, atrophy sets in. Hope that helps. How did the neuro appointment go?
 
No way to send a text message that I can find. I've never even given my phone number in information here - there is NO phone number field in your profile setup. If you are worried, remove your phone number from your profile if you put it in another description field, but I think that message came from somewhere else. Usually people who are posting here are posting in other places around the internet.

Mama Cheryl read the important post at the top of this forum again, it really does answer you - can't be done too soon seems pretty clear to me for example.

I sincerely hope the appointment goes well and you are told sensible things this time.

it was not you all. It was from researching . They can track it. Took some time but i finally got a voice on the phone.. thank you.
 
First to let everyone know Cheryl researched the text. It has nothing to do with the forum. Your contact information remains only viewable to the moderation team. v

secondly, Cheryl your emg should pick up lower motor damage very early. Before weakness, atrophy, loss of function etc. When doctors are following an ABNORMAL emg 6 months would be the standard interval
Mine was upper and it was 6 months ago at the time this hand doctor told me his diagnosis. That is why I asked I thought maybe it could have changed since then. Thank you again. Im sorry i wish i was not so scared.
 
No. Upper and lower motor neuron is not the same thing as upper and lower extremities. You have upper and lower motor neurons every where. in ALS there is damage to both types. The emg looks for lower motor neuron damage. The clinical exam looks for upper motor neuron signs as well as things that make them suspect lower motor neuron damage. Someone with ALS has specific abnormalities on emg and on clinical exam. You had, I believe, an emg of your hand/ arm. It was still looking for lower motor neuron disease.

what did the neuro say?
 
For my husband, the EMG picked up right leg deterioration and something "off" in his left forearm on May 30, 2017, his diagnosis date. He started showing symptoms of drop foot on his right side around the beginning of 2019 and inability to do zippers and grasp small objects with his left hand around mid-year 2019. So you see, the EMG picked up ALS signs long before symptoms manifested.

The question of weakness before atrophy or vice versa has been asked and answered a lot. A lot, a lot. The inability to use a muscle comes first and because of that muscle not being used, atrophy sets in. Hope that helps. How did the neuro appointment go?
That was a big help.. thank you.
 
No. Upper and lower motor neuron is not the same thing as upper and lower extremities. You have upper and lower motor neurons every where. in ALS there is damage to both types. The emg looks for lower motor neuron damage. The clinical exam looks for upper motor neuron signs as well as things that make them suspect lower motor neuron damage. Someone with ALS has specific abnormalities on emg and on clinical exam. You had, I believe, an emg of your hand/ arm. It was still looking for lower motor neuron disease.

what did the beuro say?
yes he put the needles in both arms from my neck all the way to my thumb. but i only recognized the names of my arm muscles on the paperwork i received. Thank you for the explanation.

I did not go to the lady neuro. I am going to be honest.. I am so scared. i cant stop shaking, i cant eat or sleep. Everything he said was wrong looks worse. I keep looking at my daughter and its just gut wrenching. I keep thinking a doctor told me this a hand dr. he has to know..

I am going to go to my moms nuero .. not that it will change anything but at least he knows me.. I am disapointed in myself..
 
Cheryl, it's good you're planning on going to a neuro- I think the people here were under the impression you were going today. As you can see, you've tapped out the resources of this forum for now and further posting will not net you any further information about your specific concerns at this time. Your best bet is to take the medical records you've been given already and see a neurologist who can put it all together for you.

Unfortunately, while you are feeling great anxiety and the people here sympathize, there is not anything more we can do for you unless you have some sort of formalized diagnosis from someone who is an expert on neuromuscular disorders. Your best bet, if it is affecting your daily function, is to seek proper in-person care with a therapist or counselor in order to help you cope while you wait for your neuro appointment.

Please let us know how it goes once you've been to see a neurologist.
 
Mama Cheryl, the time has come for you to stop posting here. You have been asked questions....
you avoid a direct answer or you change the subject. This too "scared and shaking" goes back to
your original first post. Your time span is stunning.... You joined Jan 31st, posted your thread on
Feb 2nd and now 10 days later the thread has rambled on to 4 pages.

You have told by extremely knowledgeable members here you do not have ALS. You've had an
EMG that was normal and one before that.

Then....
"I am going to go to my moms nuero .. not that it will change anything but at least he knows me."

Cheryl, you need help but you've run out of help here. I hope some doctor gets you on the road
of a healthy physical and mental life so you can enjoy your daughter without being stressed with
anxiety.
 
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Cheryl, it's good you're planning on going to a neuro- I think the people here were under the impression you were going today. As you can see, you've tapped out the resources of this forum for now and further posting will not net you any further information about your specific concerns at this time. Your best bet is to take the medical records you've been given already and see a neurologist who can put it all together for you.

Unfortunately, while you are feeling great anxiety and the people here sympathize, there is not anything more we can do for you unless you have some sort of formalized diagnosis from someone who is an expert on neuromuscular disorders. Your best bet, if it is affecting your daily function, is to seek proper in-person care with a therapist or counselor in order to help you cope while you wait for your neuro appointment.

Please let us know how it goes once you've been to see a neurologist.
I understand totally. And yes I had made the appointment. That is why I told her the truth that I was to scared. Thank you for all of the advice.
 
Mama Cheryl, the time has come for you to stop posting here. You have been asked questions....
you avoid a direct answer or you change the subject. This too "scared and shaking" goes back to
your original first post. Your time span is stunning.... You joined Jan 31st, posted your thread on
Feb 2nd and now 10 days later the thread has rambled on to 4 pages.

You have told by extremely knowledgeable members here you do not have ALS. You've had an
EMG that was normal and one before that.

Then....
"I am going to go to my moms nuero .. not that it will change anything but at least he knows me."

Cheryl, you need help but you've run out of help here. I hope some doctor gets you on the road
of a healthy physical and mental life so you can enjoy your daughter without being stressed with
anxiety.
I did answer the question to one member because I didn't want someone saying anything like this about too many post. That is what happened in the past I tried to answer everyone and then I was told about it. Thank you .
 
Cheryl, you've kindly been asked to post back AFTER you see a neuro, not after you've thought about seeing a neuro. There are people here that type with their eyes, use a prop pillow to keep their head up, and caregivers that care for their loved ones day and night flushing feeding tubes, toileting, repositioning sleep positions, or suctioning the phlegm their PALS can no longer cough up. So, asking questions relentlessly is really unfair and says that you dont respect what has been very kindly asked of you. Please post back AFTER you have had an appointment with a neuro. We know you will post back saying you have been cleared of ALS. I only hope you will believe it. Until then, please seek help for your crippling anxiety. And, for the many times that it has already been said, a hand doctor is not qualified to give a neurological diagnosis. Best of luck to you. I look forward to hearing g the good news after you have seen a neuromuscular specialist.
 
So I did what you all suggested and saw a Neuromuscular specialist, USC trained in the Neuromuscular portion, on Thursday the 13 th. He ran an extensive clinical exam. Everything was fine except he could not explain the atrophy in my hands, which has gotten worse. He was confinant that based on the exam and the prior EMGs that I did not have ALS. But he would run a new EMG and NCS for my piece of mind. The EMG / NCS were done this past Tuesday the 18 th. They were abnormal. He started with my injured arm , right side, then the left . As a result of what he saw he then did both legs, my neck , mid back and lumbar spine. Every muscle tested had what ever this activity is. So I guess the prior EMGs that were clean we're wrong.. or????? He said one thing, but I think he was trying to make me feel better or get me out his office as my appt started at 11 am . I left at 1:30 ish came back at 3 pm to finish. Left just before 7pm. He said he didn't know what is wrong but something is. Really? He knows I am sure. Whatever it is he said showed insidental findings that do not explain Als. But he had to finish looking at the results. So my fear is warranted after all. Those of you who told me to get a shrink and not to post ,TO GET OFF of this forum , because I do not have ALS and I am disrespectful etc....thank you for your kindness! Everyone else I appreciate all you said trying to ease my anxiety thank you for that.
 
Cheryl,

EMGs can be off for many reasons. If you can upload a copy of your EMG, without identifiers (your name, etc) we can help you understand it. If he said he didn't know what was wrong, did he tell you what might be wrong? What are the things he's looking for and what are the things that have been ruled out. Did he suggest a lumbar puncture or muscle biopsy?

Have you had a brain and complete spine MRIs (lumbar, t-spine, and c-spine)?

There are so many diseases/conditions that cause atrophy I'm just wondering what he put on the table and what he ruled out.
 
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