Jump to content

Can an EMG be beneficial in finding anything with this disease?


Recommended Posts

I'm seeing a neurologist separate of my autonomic dysfunction specialist. The only reason is because I just want to find out everything possible. I told him my background that I have autonomic dysfunction and gave him my Dr records from my specialist. 

He did a couple tests I've already done before. Today I did an EMG. The guy put some gadget to both arms and my right leg and gave them shocks I guess. 

Then the Dr came in and put needles in my arms and then my right leg in various places.

Is this test even beneficial for us? I'm just wondering what it can find out.

 

On a separate note, while the test was slightly uncomfortable, my body must have hated it. I've been laying down for hours with my heart rate a little over the 100 range. And my bottom BP number is higher than normal for laying down. I also have a small fever. That heart rate and bottom BP number being that high while laying down is not normal for me. I hope it's just my body couldn't handle the test and needs time to heal. I hope it didn't mess anything up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Derek1987 - whenever I got to where my BP would not come down I called my doc and he increased the Carvelidol. That often helped. Don't do it on your own but you could call the doc and see if that would be OK. I would just take an xtra 12.5 mg and it usually would bring the BP down. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An EMG and NCS (nerve conduction study) are used to rule out certain types of neuropathy. Neuropathy isn’t caused by dysautonomia but frequently co occurs. Small fiber neuropathy is very common in people with dysautonomia, but it can be caused by different types of diseases. Small fiber usually does not show on these tests, only large fiber neuropathy does. In any event, if you’re having neuropathy issues, it’s a good test to rule out different diseases and narrow down a cause. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One area that EMGs are used in is detecting neuromuscular disease (example LEMS or Neuromyotonia).  These diseases are caused by autoimmune (calcium channel or potassium channelopathies).   On top of these peoples fatigue, weakness, and muscle pain due to this autoimmune disease – they also suffer from dysautonomia (majority have POTS). 

Antibodies are tested via  - Mayo Clinic Paraneoplastic Panel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I cried during my NCS/EMG this week. Lol I was not thrilled with the shockey thing. Not thrilled with the needles either. Actually the needles on the right side were bearable; I think because that is wear the neuro was sitting. Reaching over to do the left must have been a bad angle. Anyway, did you get your results? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, potsiebarbie said:

I cried during my NCS/EMG this week. Lol I was not thrilled with the shockey thing. Not thrilled with the needles either. Actually the needles on the right side were bearable; I think because that is wear the neuro was sitting. Reaching over to do the left must have been a bad angle. Anyway, did you get your results? 

Yes. And just as I expected nothing is wrong. The test did give me a quarter sized dark black bruise though. And I have to pay to get stabbed and shocked. Crazy concept.

Basically he is referring me to Vanderbilt. Im seeing a specialist here where I live but I think Vanderbilt will have a lot more knowledge/tests. I didn't wanna go because it'll be a 3 plus hour drive. That's gonna be so hard on me. @Pistol been telling me to go for the longest. Hopefully it'll be during the cooler months. The summer is brutal on me. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had an EMG on both legs some months back and it was completely negative, which really surprised me.  I had been complaining for years about odd sensations in my legs, muscle spasms in all different areas that come and go and involuntary leg movements (like my whole left leg used to just jerk and actually lift off the bed when I would lay down on my back).   For the last week I have an EXTREME twitch in my right eye (everyone can see it - it comes and goes but it seems that whenever I sneeze that starts it up as well) as well as a muscle twitch in my left arm, not far from my elbow (you could also see the skin moving in that spot as well).  I'm at the point where I don't even bother going to the neurologist except for my yearly checkup because everything is always negative and I would just waste money (at this point, they've ruled out things like Parkinsons and MS).  I feel that as soon as something is ruled out, I have a similar issue but elsewhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...