worried, would love your input.

[nervousJ]

I guess being that some strength has come back, that would be a good sign. Right? From what I have read, ALS does not get better, it progressively gets worse. Am I right?

 

[Tokahfang]

Correct. Now stop worrying and go do something enjoyable.

 

[zoohouse]

I had disc surgery 5-6 years ago at C6-7 and was left with some weakness in my left arm, with fasciculations. They have mostly gone away, but do return when my arm is overused, and tired. Also the fasciculations may be indicating growth of new neurons, a good thing. In ALS there is new growth, but even more rapid death of neurons.

 

[nervousJ]

Finally got EMG results from retired doctor. Here is the write up. Hopefully someone can make something out of this.

The left anti sensory no response. The left ulnar motor increased latency, decreased amplitude and normal velocity. The left ulnar FDI motor, normal latency, decreased amplitude and normal velocity. The left door sum ulnar sensory, normal latency, decreased amplitude and normal velocity. The other ncv studies were normal.

F-wave late cues were done on median and ulnar which were normal, delayed.

EMG was performed in the upper left extremity. The interference pattern and motor unit action potential analysis is normal without evidence of denervation membrane hyper excitability except where indicated.

Conclusion:
Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow on the left side, which is moderate plus in degree electrically. Moderate chronic axonal loss is noted.

There is no evidence of a cervical radiculopathy, bracheal plexopathy, myopathy, poly neuropathy, or other mono neuropathy.

 

[nervousJ]

Anyone have enough experience to offer any feedback?

 

[vickim]

I have had 3 emgs and never asked about numbers and details. My dr told me I had neuropathy in my feet and that was enough for me. I think the last sentence of your report says it all. If you had als it would have said so. Be happy, all you have is a nerve problem in your elbow. It is fixable.

 

[Tokahfang]

I agree with Vickim's perspective. It is silly to think we're going to read the summation of your EMG's better than trained MDs do. Go in peace!

 

[Allendonna]

I was diagnosed a week agao and have an appointment at Columbia Presby next week. My symptoms are across the board. Hoarse for three months with slurring when tired,legs feel like lead when walking, severe cramps all over but particularly legs, fatigue, fascic... which have spread from left arm to almost entire body, biting cheek or lower lip over night, lose of weight and strength in gym, upper and lower neuro findings, CPK of 571, and relatively normal brain and neck MRI...any room for doubt? Can a quality doctor who I will see tell me how far along I am and get some idea of my progression rate?

 

[Allendonna]

Sorry left out two other symptoms...loss of dexterity and some strength in left hand (buttons, shoe laces etc.) and was occasionally tripping and falling until I realized that I have to watch for uneven surfaces.

 

[bluedog]

Depending on how you presented at exam, there could be room for doubt if you didn't have an emg. If you had an EMG, what were the results? Or were you diagnosed just by clinical exam and normal MRIs?

What were your umn and lmn findings?

I don't think anyone can reliably predict progression rate.

 

[Allendonna]

Bluedog. Diagnosed by EMG showing upper and lower neuron involvement. Also blood test showingelevated creatine kinase level (571 with normal being 20-200 Waiting for the actual report to take to specialist. What is a umn and Imn finding?