EMG Test: Experiences and Advice

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BrightKnight

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Hi guys,Just wondering how many of you have actually had EMGs? If not an EMG, what led you to a diagnosis (formal or not) of BFS? For instance, I went to see my neuro about three months into this. He had me walk on my toes and heels, tapped my muscles, tested my reflexes and said he didn't feel and EMG was needed.As for the EMG, what's it like? Is it painful? I'm thinking I want one done just to ease my mind and hopefully quit obsessing about you know what...
 
No EMG. My doctor said it would be a waste of time. He said that just from me walking through the door, he could tell that I had none of the nasties. He also said he hates subjecting unnecessary EMGs to people because they hurt.I'd say about 50% of the people here have never had an EMG.
 
2 EMGs... I am not sure with the benefit of hindsight that I would have bothered. Because I am a health professional myself, I jacked up my own EMG appointment at the time that I booked in to see a neurologist. I saw the neurologist first and she said that Imight as well proceed with the EMG although I do wonder whether or not she would have recommended it had I not arranged it myself. Several muscles were checked and it was completely normal. Several months later I had a fale up of anxiety and arranged a follow up EMG and neurology appointment. I had the EMG first and one of the muscles (not previously tested) showed denervation/ renervation which scared the living daylights out of me. The neurologist told me that I rally didn't need a second EMG and she politely asked me not to arrange any more of my own tests. She said the EMG finding was non specific and culd be due to a slipped disc. That was over three months ago and I remain strong but still twitchy. These experiences have made me realise that EMGs are non specific and abnormal results which may not be significant are anxiety provoking. What counts more than anything is the expertise of the neurologist who is checking you out.If I could rewind the clock I'd have skipped the EMGsRegardsSimon
 
I have had three. They never showed anything but other tests did (i.e, muscle biopsy, nerve conduction tests, immunofixation, ANA titres, raji cell immune complex test, etc). The other tests did not lead to any real answers just speculation and allowed doctors to throw out the idea that this was all in my head or just anxiety. The EMG is not pleasant but the pain is really nothing to give much thought to. It is not any worse than going to a dentist and actually not as bad as that in my opinion. I would not recommend an EMG because what is really important is whether your symptoms cause you any weakness or progress in a serious manner over time. This later aspect does not cost a thing and will give the ultimate reassurance not an EMG. This is just my opinion coming from someone who has had three of them. I would only recommend the other testing I went through if (1) your symptoms cause you discomfort like mine did; (2) you want some symptom relief and (3) you need a doctor to believe that you are not lying about your symptoms to get the medication relief you need.
 
I had one EMG and did not mind it at all. I did not even feel the needles and it did give me piece of mind at the time. Of course, 9 months later I still have anxiety from this so I am not sure it really helped anyway.
 
had the first emg 4 weeks after onset of twitching. negative. thought that maybe i had it too soon. the second but much shorter one after three months of twitching did not show something else. haven't seen a neuro since.
 
like laurent i had a clean emg (just showing some fascics) 4 weeks after onset of twitching. the second neuro i saw would have done another one (after 3,5 months) for my peace of mind. i decided not to have another emg because i had a clean clinical and the neuro said there was absoultely no indication for it.
 
Had one + an SEP … both negative. Don't know what to think of those tests. I mean, if I looked like I was doing electric boogie or was riverdancin' 'cross the floor, perhaps the EMG would show something, but with 'normal' fasciculations, I don't think it will show anything at all. Just my opinion.
 
Got once in 1992 for BFS (first time i had that ...).Result: Fascics can be seen, unexplained clonus on left hand and leg.Treatment: Nada, niet, rien, None .. :mad: ---Got an other one for atypical sciatica on left leg.Result: Test ok ... but still sciatica pain. Latter MRI revealed i had spondylolisis on left side (vertebral bone fracture that do not heal either acquired or congenital)Treatment: Nada, niet, rien, none ... wait until, may be, it resolve by itself (it did after 3 years ... :mad: )---Got the last one for "flare up" of something else last years (seems to be the ugly face of BFS with new and IMPROVED symptoms ..)Result: ... all OK, normalTreatment: None, nada, rien, niet ...Finally 1 year after they game me Lyrica 3 times a day (25 mg pills, so 75 mg total) that doesn't seems to do a lot to date ... increase the dosage?---Question:WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THAT TEST THAT IS SHOWING NOTHING EVEN IF THERE IS SOMETHING then in all cases (showing or not something) we end up having NO treatment????It looks it is only useful when it is obvious you already lost some of strength and you are in the ER ... :LOL:
 
Had one back in 2004 about 8 weeks after the twitching began. Showed nothing at all..it was unpleasant but not really painful. I had my husband sitting next to me holding my hand so that helped. I had alot of bleeding from the needles but didn't feel them at all...
 

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