EMG Detection of Unknown Condition

Highlights Only
It's an umbrella term for overactive nerves affecting muscles. Neuromyotonia is a form of it. RNS will confirm it. RNS is Repetitive Nerve Stimulation. There is blood work to help identify it as well.
 
As Juan states, PNH (peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability) is a specific diagnosis that is confirmed by a specific type of Nerve Conduction Study (NVC). Since 2007, this test called the RNS (a type of NCV) is used to try and elicit a cramp from the muscles. At the Mayo Clinic they refer to it as the 'CFS protocol' .When it is positive you are said to have PNH.It must be noted that PNH is also a benign condition and PNH is found alone or with other disorders like Neuromyotonia or Isaac's. It is not a prelude to anything bad, especially when it has been present for an extended time.Also to note that you can twitch everywhere like mad (as I do) and test negative for PNH (like I did in March 2013).To answer your question, no, your EMG alone would not confirm this diagnosis.
 
Would the nct have showed anything pointing to hyperexcitability if it was present? I'm so scared of bulbar due to my tongue twitches.Now I haven't had them for two days. Good sign? Or could they stop for several days in the hyperexcitability phase?
 
peripheral nerve hyper excitability is a benign condition. I tested positive for it by the RNS test as others have mentioned. I have tongue twitches everyday all over my tongue. Not sure why you are worrying about it, most of us have hyper excited nerves.
 
PNH is typically benign, but not a lot is known about it. And most of us who have sought out this site have it - anyone who twitches or cramps more than the average person - enough to make them seek out this site (although there are possibly some hypochondriacs here who have just normal twitching). Matt, I have been wondering what they said to you about looking for any benign tumor? The latest study out of Mayo (published March 2014) found 1/3 of those who have PNH had a benign tumor. I don't claim to understand everything about it, but the fact that ALL of the 1/3 subjects stopped twitching and cramping after the benign tumor was removed makes me very interested in finding out more about it. Joyceroll I think you can relax about bulbar. Worrying about it won't change anything. At least half of us with PNH seem to have tongue or mouth issues at some point.
 
And can someone please explain exactly what peripheral nerve hyperexcitability is I've read about it on the Internet however there's a lot of generic information on thereIs BFS considered peripheral nerve hyperexcitability?
 
it is very difficult to explain. I have asked many times myself. Just found this wikipedia article was updated FOUR DAYS ago. It will give you a place to start your investigations if you so desire or haven't already exhausted all resources :)
 
This is just my understanding as was explained to me by the Mayo Clinic...PNH used to be a blanket term encompassing almost all conditions of hyperexcited nerves.In 2007 a study was released that showed that they can actually diagnose PNH with a specific type of nerve conduction study called RNS. Many top hospitals now have this protocol as part of their procedure when a patient presents with twitching and cramps. The Mayo clinic refers to this as the "CFS protocol testing". The exact language on my final report was "...the CFS protocol testing on the nerve conduction study showed no after discharges. Therefore no sign of Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability." Note I did show fasciculations in the muscles tested as well, but because I didn't have the after discharges when they did the CFS protocol (known as RNS) the final diagnosis was idiopathic benign fasciculations.This, to my understanding, is the current method used to diagnose PNH.
 
No, ESR and ANA are not used for the diagnosis of PNH to my knowledge. Those tests are used to detect autoimmune conditions that may cause fascicualtions.-Greg
 
PNH is as benign as headache. It depends on the cause. Great article about PNH can be found here: . Table 6 presents causes of PNH...
 
So Twitchydoc, the table 6 in this study does not make PNH sound so benign as a headache. Why o why do those things not play out here on this board? We have a few Hashimotos, one thyroid cancer, a Raynaud's or two and that is about all. Not even one thymoma. Are those they studied only those with positve VGKC or AChr? The sample size is small, is it not? And then there is the new Mayo study published in March 2014 finding 1/3 of those with PNH had a BENIGN tumor, with completely resolved symptoms once the tumor was removed. How do these studies reconcile with one another? Sample size was similar. Have you looked into this? I cannot make sense of it and would love you or Helen or Buzznerd to give us some interpretation of it: If there is any credence to this, many of us could resolve our symptoms if we could find the benign tumor. My doctor said it could be as simple as a lipoma - very common.
 
Question about jaw reflex: sometimes my jaw jerks. Not from any stimulation - I'll just sit in my couch and my jaw will open up a bit, kind of fast. Is this anything bad?
 
The sudden jaw jerk, opening you experience could be hypnic jerks, a lot of people have that, and it can become more prominent with stress, anxiety, irregular sleeping and muscle tension.
 
It's the same, except that in ALS, Motor Neurons are dying whereas otherwise the cause is stress, anxiety, irregular sleeping and muscle tension. Just my interpretation.
 

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