Michael949
Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2019
- Messages
- 29
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- Mission Viejo
I wanted to get some opinions on my latest EMG for those of you who are more familiar with how they look.
I saw a new neurologist last month for worsening clinical symptoms - worsening weakness in left foot (can no longer move most of my toes on my left foot) and both arms, widespread atrophy on left side of my body (including my tongue), worsening fasciculations across entire body, and spasticity with cramping in both feet. The neuromuscular center at UC Irvine told me I had to see a general neuro before I see them and he must give me a referral
The EMG does not make any sense. The neurologist who performed it was not the same as the ordering physician, btw.
It found +1 positive waves in the Tibialis Anterior and Peroneus Longus but the dr who performed the EMG said it was a radiculopathy. These muscles correspond with the L4-L5 and L5-S1. My lumber spine MRI is completely normal and free of disc herniation, stenosis, etc...basically anything that can cause a pinched nerve. Two neurosurgeons have already told me they don't believe that is what's causing my symptoms.
Also, as he's performing the EMG, he tells me that he is impressed with the amount of visible twitching he sees from head to toe, yet no fasciculations are reported on the report.
So the general neuro asks me if I want the referral to the neuromuscular center or try physical therapy. He did not go into detail about much of anything. I told him I want the referral because even a pinched nerve in the lower back would not explain all the other symptoms in the upper body. He just said ok.
Based on what you see in these photos, does this report look typical of ALS? With such little information being provided to me and I likely won't get to UCI for a few months, I feel very alone in this process. Thanks.
I saw a new neurologist last month for worsening clinical symptoms - worsening weakness in left foot (can no longer move most of my toes on my left foot) and both arms, widespread atrophy on left side of my body (including my tongue), worsening fasciculations across entire body, and spasticity with cramping in both feet. The neuromuscular center at UC Irvine told me I had to see a general neuro before I see them and he must give me a referral
The EMG does not make any sense. The neurologist who performed it was not the same as the ordering physician, btw.
It found +1 positive waves in the Tibialis Anterior and Peroneus Longus but the dr who performed the EMG said it was a radiculopathy. These muscles correspond with the L4-L5 and L5-S1. My lumber spine MRI is completely normal and free of disc herniation, stenosis, etc...basically anything that can cause a pinched nerve. Two neurosurgeons have already told me they don't believe that is what's causing my symptoms.
Also, as he's performing the EMG, he tells me that he is impressed with the amount of visible twitching he sees from head to toe, yet no fasciculations are reported on the report.
So the general neuro asks me if I want the referral to the neuromuscular center or try physical therapy. He did not go into detail about much of anything. I told him I want the referral because even a pinched nerve in the lower back would not explain all the other symptoms in the upper body. He just said ok.
Based on what you see in these photos, does this report look typical of ALS? With such little information being provided to me and I likely won't get to UCI for a few months, I feel very alone in this process. Thanks.