EMG Abnormalities: Experiences?

[Drogulus]

Who has had abnormalities on EMG and what were they?

 

[JoggingCub]

Depends on what you call a dirty EMG - but off the top of my head,Big O, SamWIdge, and the guy with the blow-up pilot (from Airplane movie)(????) for a picture - sorry can't remember his name, and SimonYou would have to look up their posts to see, but all have some at least minor evidence of denervation, and all are doing well as far as I know.

 

[mommyLDN]

Another member would be "Ming" who has had abnormal EMG but was told he was cleared of ALS and was fine. ) Hi Chris )

 

[BarbiePetals]

EMG's can show abnormalities for many reasons, not just ALS.

 

[garymills]

I had decreased recruitment in both triceps, fibs in my back, and of course fascics noted in several muscles. Maybe some other stuff as well, but honestly I don't remember. Bottom line is that I had a top level neuro at the Baylor MDA/ALS clinic in Houston tell me it was all benign (about seven years ago, so I guess he was right). He said he sees people with abnormal emgs all the time that have a benign condition.take care,Gary

 

[bfhopeful2]

renervation in both legs traced back to an injury...no chronic changes...was told benign...that was 8 months ago....nothing new developed in those areas.

 

[Drogulus]

After twenty years plus of fasciculations and paresthesias my symptoms got worse over the past 4 months. Some increased neck pain, too (not terrible)I saw a neurologist and had an EMG for the first time since the early 90's. No previous abnormal tests anywhere.Here's what it showed (abridged version). (EMG part of test done only on left side)"All nerve conduction studies were within normal limits"Left biceps and two muscles in left leg showed increased motor unit duration.Left triceps showed increased motor unit duration and slightly increased polyphasic potentials.Normal testing for myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome.Impression-"This is a mildly abnormal study. There is electrodiagnostic evidence of a mild chronic left cervical and lumbar multilevel radiculopathy, without evidence of ongoing denervation. There was no electrodiagnostic evidence of a large fiber sensori-motor polyneuropathy or myopathic process".Cervical and lumbar MRI's showed some mild disc bulging but no cord compression.I was relieved. Of course, because all the testing showed no evidence of a terrible disease, but also because it showed SOMETHING. After all these years of symptoms and thinking that I was just nuts, it appears I have some evidence of chronic nerve root irritation in my back and neck. Is this what cause my symptoms all these years? Is it just the cause of my newest increase in symptoms? Could it be a possible cause of others' benign fasciculation/paresthesia symptoms? Or is it just a red herring?Gives me some avenues to try for treatment-NSAID's, Klonopin seem to help. Also may try PT or massage therapy.

 

[seadragonsovereign]

Mine have not been "clean" but still have the Dx of BFS (or BCFS). Search for one of my recent posts for my last EMG/NCT results summary.

 

[ryomaryotaro]

EMG x 2, 6 mos apart --both showed reinnervation changes in the left triceps, no denervation - stable/improved in the second EMG.This was read by Neurologist who has done @15 EMGs per day for 20 years - I was cleared after second EMG reagarding ***. Actually in hind sight he was comfortable clearing me after the 1st EMG. Interesting no Fasics were noted on the EMG.Cheers,rlm

 

[RainCat]

Chronic neurogenic changes, denervation and reinnervation, fascics, all seen in lower legs. Still here and no weakness

 

[Sarah]

I don´t get it, RainCat,. I thought denervation and reinnervation was what the docs are looking for in an EMG. Is it because you don´t have any weakness or atrophy after so many years of twitching that the doctor was not concerned?

 

[starkRav3r]

reinnervation in almost all poked muscles. traced back to my chemotherapy treatment with spinal injections in 2002. some slight radiculopathy.