JenniLee
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2007
- Messages
- 38
- Reason
- PALS
- Country
- US
- State
- CT
- City
- NORWICH
Dear Friends:
I'm confused about testing for ALS. From what I've been reading thru the posts, so many have gone through tests I've never heard of. My Neurodiagnostic did:
Speech: Strangled quality
Cranial Nerves: Facies (what's that? poop? ) are symmetrical. Easily elicited gag response; positive jaw jerk (what's that: I'm a jerk to my jaw?).
Gait: Unable to heel walk on left side.
Coordination: Diminshed in left hand.
Faciculations of the tongue (what's that? I didn't curse at him).
MRI of brain & c-spine: negative
Estensive "serological evaluation including bloodwork for toxic exposures" -- all negative
EMG: Upper & lower extremities diminished ulnar motor on left side. Remainder is normal. Tongue, showed motor unit recruitment abnormalities.....blah, blah...findings consistent with motor neuro diseases such as those related to pathology in the anterior horn cell.....HUH?
Also, my good friends;
given those were my tests, are there any suggestions on what other tests I might want to ask for?
All I hear is that ALS is a process of elimination; What I don't get, is how can they eliminate with so few tests?
By the way, anyone see the movie "The Secret"? or read the book? I would highly suggest it -- it is very uplifting & powerful.
Thanks!
Love, Jen
I'm confused about testing for ALS. From what I've been reading thru the posts, so many have gone through tests I've never heard of. My Neurodiagnostic did:
Speech: Strangled quality
Cranial Nerves: Facies (what's that? poop? ) are symmetrical. Easily elicited gag response; positive jaw jerk (what's that: I'm a jerk to my jaw?).
Gait: Unable to heel walk on left side.
Coordination: Diminshed in left hand.
Faciculations of the tongue (what's that? I didn't curse at him).
MRI of brain & c-spine: negative
Estensive "serological evaluation including bloodwork for toxic exposures" -- all negative
EMG: Upper & lower extremities diminished ulnar motor on left side. Remainder is normal. Tongue, showed motor unit recruitment abnormalities.....blah, blah...findings consistent with motor neuro diseases such as those related to pathology in the anterior horn cell.....HUH?
Also, my good friends;
given those were my tests, are there any suggestions on what other tests I might want to ask for?
All I hear is that ALS is a process of elimination; What I don't get, is how can they eliminate with so few tests?
By the way, anyone see the movie "The Secret"? or read the book? I would highly suggest it -- it is very uplifting & powerful.
Thanks!
Love, Jen