Need help understanding EMG

[jm5834]

I had an EMG back in June of last year after at that time having 1 year and 4 months of fasciculations among many other symptoms that can be seen in previous threads. The EMG was only done on my left side, and no bulbar muscles. Which quite frankly is concerning to me now because I have recently discovered that I am struggling to whistle and having trouble breathing when laying down. I haven't completely lost the ability to whistle but I'm normally a very loud whistler and now most times it's barely there and mostly just air, although I had a few days last week where it seemed to be back to normal. Very weird, and concerning because I have read on this forum that it can be an indication of bulbar for some. It has been just over 23 months now since fasciculations began, so I understand that it would be rare to go on for this long but I am just looking for answers. Can bulbar be ruled out from my EMG? I have set up an appointment next month for a follow up by the way, but I'm just very anxious in the meantime and don't understand the EMG. I don't mean to offend anyone with my post, and I hope it doesn't

 

[ShiftKicker]

Past threads can be read here:

Multiple symptoms for months

Well for starters I found this website in a state of my panic and have read others threads about similar symptoms in a search for reassurance. I have been very apprehensive about posting here because I know a lot of people are probably just overexcited or scared and have convinced themselves...

www.alsforums.com

Symptoms getting progessively worse

Hello all. I posted a thread here back in the spring about my near constant diffuse fasciculations which I know mean nothing but it's the new symptoms bothering me.They started in mid February and have been hanging around since (the fasciculationsthat is.) I've had periods where they seem to...

www.alsforums.com

I think the EMG makes it very clear they found no abnormalities and your clinical exam was unremarkable. You will have to pursue some other reason for the symptoms you report, because there really is zero evidence of what you fear- ALS- which is excellent news!

 

[jm5834]

Thanks for your reply ShiftKicker. I was very happy to hear that nothing was really abnormal, and for the last 6 months have really lived a normal worry free life, other than continued fasciculations, and some intermittent swallowing issues. But then I went to whistle one night a few weeks ago and nothing was coming out and the panic began. And that was after a week of very very frequent twitching in my upper right arm( biceps, triceps) and some strange heavy/numb feelings in my top lip. And unfortunately after the whistling ordeal, I came here to seek answers and saw that some said that sudden inability to whistle was a symptom for them or their significant other. I also have read about people who have had clean EMGs but received a bulbar diagnosis( not to mention they only did my left side). I'm really hoping this is all in my had and a manifestation of anxiety, but I really wasn't even worrying at the point this all started.

 

[Bestfriends14]

Take a read over the link. Nothing you have stated, all your exams and clean EMGs all say no ALS. When will you start to believe this?

ALS and why you DON'T have it!

There have been quite a few threads on the subject and the ALS rabbit hole is one of the toughest to get out of. I see members posting on the ALS forums and I truly advise not to do that as it's disrespectful to those suffering. On the forum there is a "READ ME" sticky that I want to copy here...

www.nomorepanic.co.uk

 

[jm5834]

I have already posted a couple threads over the past couple of years, and I apologize if I’m being a bother. But the past couple of weeks I have had really bad dyspnea, on exertion and at night specifically. I break out in a sweat doing the smallest of tasks now and feel short of breath and wake up gasping for air sweating with a racing heart. And my ribs are cramping daily.Also have been peeing non stop and losing weight daily.And I am COVID negative with no fever. I am currently at urgent care and they tested my oxygen on my finger and it was 98%but I wasn’t laying, I was sitting up on a reclined hospital bed. And I was at rest. But if this was respiratory onset wouldn’t it be lower?? And is it even possible to get respiratory onset at 29?? Sorry for all my questions, I have no one to talk to or ask about these things with any knowledge. I did have a clean EMG on left leg arm back and back of neck in June but my concern is that respiratory doesn’t show up on EMG, unless it’s of your diaphragm or intercostal muscles.

 

[lgelb]

Did you have a sleep study? There are apps for your phone or tablet that can give you clues, as can simply recording your sleep. There are several kinds of sleep problems that are very treatable, and they are troublesome until they are.

98% is just great. But an internist or pulmonologist can test your lung function to make sure it is normal. And you should keep in close touch with your internist about your other issues and getting a read on whether there are problems when you sleep. The EMG would have shown ALS, with any kind of onset. It does not matter what muscles they tested in that sense. Your EMG was normal. You do not have ALS. But you deserve to feel better with whatever you do have.

Best,
Laurie

 

[jm5834]

Thank you so much, Laurie. I will definitely look into that.