- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 14,212
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
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A low-dose TCA can help with sleep, which in turn can calm the jumpy muscles. It can also help reduce pain that comes from irritated nerves. So it is for physical symptoms, not your mind. TCAs are no longer used at high doses for depression because there are better options.
A followup of a month is appropriate to help decide if this is something you want to try or if things have gotten better. If they do, as is likely, you can cancel the appointment so it's available for someone in greater need.
Brisk reflexes are not uncommon, nor fasciculations. When no disease shows up, we say that they are "normal variants." If every ache, pain, twitch or cramp were sign of a disease, you'd be ill indeed.
As Tillie says, the EMG was not done in the wrong places. The hallmark of ALS is that muscles you think aren't doing anything show up as abnormal. So the fact that it was normal in all muscles tested says it all.
Best,
Laurie
A followup of a month is appropriate to help decide if this is something you want to try or if things have gotten better. If they do, as is likely, you can cancel the appointment so it's available for someone in greater need.
Brisk reflexes are not uncommon, nor fasciculations. When no disease shows up, we say that they are "normal variants." If every ache, pain, twitch or cramp were sign of a disease, you'd be ill indeed.
As Tillie says, the EMG was not done in the wrong places. The hallmark of ALS is that muscles you think aren't doing anything show up as abnormal. So the fact that it was normal in all muscles tested says it all.
Best,
Laurie