New Emg, New Rabbit Hole

[Baseballmom]

Hi all.......I am back after swearing I would not be. My follow up EMG has left me stumped and scared.

Just a refresher....over the past 8 months I have had a normal/unremarkable EMG on my lover and upper limbs. Clinical tests were all excellent. NCS stated Axonal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy. Had 2 differing opinions on whether it was demyelinating or not. 2 neurologists agreed that my problem was post viral and anxiety. Referred to UT Southwestern ALS clinic for peace of mind. Dr Trivedi reviewed all tests and notes....performed an in depth clinical and agreed with post viral. She did not repeat any tests.

I've gone 4 months with intermittent issues....but I believe my clinical results are the same. Can still walk on toes and heals, move and use all fingers and toes, no slurred speak or choking....just a tight throat and excess mucus. Still have random muscle twitching all over body. Some days twitching is active, some non existent. Exercise is not tolerated well.

I had my follow up EMG today. NCS to be performed next Friday. Neuro only did left leg and arm. I asked her if that was good enough and she said 'yes....looks good. We'll look further at nerve study'. I took this as all was normal. When I was changing out of my gown I saw the computer screen and it stated ABNORMAL FINDINGS. Then listed Active Denervation. There were no other notes.

I know this is premature and I need to follow up and continue with testing. I was just so shocked to see those words: ABNORMAL.

My question is - can this still be neuropathy causing the issue? I know post viral can turn into an autoimmune disease as well. Again, can this be the answer to Active Denervation with no other sign of 'chronic' or 'reinnervation'?

Please forgive me.....I thought I was finished with all the worry and diagnosis process. It seems I'm back to square one.

Any insight, advice or experience with this one???

 

[Baseballmom]

And I know from the sticky....ABNORMAL EMG does not always mean ALS. Just looking for insight from anyone that has experience or seen these results.

 

[lgelb]

If you only have active and no chronic denervation, the EDX diagnostic criteria for ALS would not be met, so other neuromuscular dx are very possible. Get a full report after the NCS and you can post it here.

 

[Lkaibel]

The diagnostic criteria for ALS states chronic and active denervation in three areas of the body, accompanied by upper and lower motor neuron signs but primarily and always clinical weakness. Note, please that I said and will repeat "Primarily and always CLINICAL weakness". Those words are straight from a specialist, not mine.I know that at this point you have heard all of that already, but I thought it bore repeating.

 

[Baseballmom]

Lenore - I needed to hear it repeated!

Thank you, and Laurie, for the response. I know I need to drop the panic and just follow through with the follow up testing. The new EMG findings have just thrown me for a BIG loop.