Time Table For EMG Results

[CatM]

Update:
My primary has informed me she thinks they lost the EMG results. She said when she pulls my chart up, it looks as though the test was never done. Neurologist hasn't responded to her multiple calls.

 

[Nikki J]

That is dreadful if true. Did they bill your insurance?

 

[CatM]

Yes Nikki, unless my registration that day has disappeared too. Its in the patient portal that I was scheduled that day to have the EMG, but its scheduled separately that I saw the doctor.
I think I need to contact my insurance if they dont turn up with results.

 

[Nikki J]

Depending on the organization structure I would complain first to the office manager, department head or patient ombudsman. If you have an online account with your insurance ypu can see claims made. You could then tell the person you talk to that you had the test, they billed it but neither you or the ordering md can get results. If the results are really lost it is incredibly childish that they don’t just fess up, apologize profusely and repeat the test asap

If you don’t get a quick response then yes you could call the insurance

 

[CatM]

If they lost the results, I'll have to get another neurologist somewhere else and repeat the test. The medical center only has 2 neurologists and the doctor who performed the test is one of them. The first one dismissed my symptoms and has misdiagnosed me. I suspicion the test results show that to be true.

The problem is the delay involved. I'm getting worse and weaker. My speech is getting worse, I cant control my vocal cords, words are harder to form, and I choke frequently in my sleep. My primary said she could hear some fluid in my lungs but no pneumonia yet. My legs are getting weaker too, and I've almost fallen several times recently as a result. I think I'm running out of time.

 

[lgelb]

It is hard to believe that the data weren't saved to the cloud even if they haven't been exported to the EMR. But yes, you want to know ASAP if they exist and if not you have the right to expect an expedited referral to another group.

 

[CatM]

Thanks Igelb for responding, and you make a good point. The data would've most likely been saved to the cloud and since it immediately goes into the system, they should be able to retrieve it.
I'll ask neurodiagnostics when I call today, if I can get a live person. They dont call me back, either. I'll message my primary as well.

 

[Nikki J]

Time to be a really squeaky wheel and escalate above the neurologist to their manger or chief

 

[CatM]

I think you're right Nikki, except the first neurologist IS the chief. I'll have to go over his head to administration most likely.

 

[CatM]

I finally got my EMG results which show symmetric axonal large fiber polyneuropathy.
I'm not diabetic. I'll try to post my results here.

 

[CatM]

Is axonal disease inidicative of early ALS? According to my primary, I may have axonal disease in reference to the EMG results. She's trying to get me in to a different neurologist.
I'll post my results later today. Thank you

 

[lgelb]

No, the axon is part of the neuron so "axonal polyneuropathy" is damage to the axon in multiple parts of the body, usually including some sensory nerves, but ALS causes death of the entire motor neuron.

Damage to the axons only is a much better outlook. There are many causes of polyneuropathy (including chemo, whose effects can be seen years later sometimes), which should be investigated based on medical history, and generally treatable to some extent.

Even when no cause can be found, there can be stabilization with proper aids (which would include xPAP if needed, which is why I suggested getting some hard data on your sleep/breathing). Often these include better ergonomics, different footwear, and other adaptive aids.

 

[CatM]

Thanks Igelb, for responding.
I've never had chemo, though I was supposed have had it with the ovarian cancer ( long story and not appropriate to this forum).
The serum hyperammonia I've had for 5 years is being investigated as a possible cause. If its indeed the cause, I cant take the med for it.
Primary said axonal disease could cause my speech problem, but not the severity of it.
Could the sleep aids help with my weakened diaphram?
I cant swallow certain foods either. Would axonal disease cause this as well as cause muscle wasting?
Thanks for time.

 

[CatM]

I cant find the edit button to add that the neurologist who performed the 2nd part of the EMG had issues with getting results on some of it as well.
She got no results on areas, due to difficulty with placement apparently.
I'll get on my laptop in a bit to post my results.

 

[CatM]

Here are some of my results, I don't know what all you need, but I have some graphs which I can add to this tomorrow.