EMG Testing for ALS: How Many?

tearsneverfall

Well-known member
I just read on an EMG website called teleemg that an EMG done on one limb is not enough to rule out ALS and that if it's suspected or feared then it should be done on the other side if the first side is clean in order to rule it out.

Some of you have said that their neuro had told them just 3 pokes or 4 pokes is enough.

Can anyone tell me what they were told? I'm thinking now and worrying that I need a second opinion and a second EMG that is more thorough.

HELP!

Sorry I thought I could move on but I just can't seem to feel like what was done Monday was thorough enough.

Thanks

Karen
 
Karen,

I asked my first neuro this same quesiton because I saw the same post you did about 1 limb not being enough. He said, that if they SUSPECT ALS then they keep searching to find it if it is indeed there. In other words, maybe rarely if someone has ALS it doesn't show up in one limb, but if the person has weakness, fasciculations, a neuro exam that is not right, etc. and the doctor suspects ALS, he would keep going. I asked my doctor about this after he did the emg of my right leg and a few pokes on my other leg and right bicep. I went back and asked him to do a more thorough emg and he refused because and I quote, "You do not need another emg. Later, if you are still worried, I will do another complete one, but I do not know what we'd be looking for. Your chances of having ALS are as close to zero as we can get."

As you know, I then went on the the UCSF ALS clinic director and the test she did was just one poke on upper and lower limbs and under chin and in pads underneath thumb in each hand. All okay, and thus confirms what the local neuro did. Since every test you have ever had has been normal, the emg you had is enough to rule ALS out. Try to believe this because it is indeed true.

I'm feeling better about my persistent middle finger twitch, but for a moment there, I lost it again mentally. We are all overreacting, all of us on this forum and collectively need to get ahold of ourselves. We have BFS and we are going to live to raise our children and enjoy our lives. Even my mother, who is the biggest worry wart of all time is convinced I'm okay. This is after she secretly did research on who I should see to rule ALS out and she came up with the doctor at UCSF. When she heard I was going to the UCSF clinic, she never told me she did her research and just white knuckeled it until I called her to say all was okay. The other day, I expressed some concern over my finger twitch to my mom and she was totally supportive, not worried at all - really! Let me just say, this is a first - my mom not being worried about something that's bugging me. It was enough to make me let go of the fear. Let's let go of the fear together!! You are fine and so am I!

Ava

Ava
 
I read it as well. . if ALS is suspected then they will go more through. For isntance if the person is 40 or shows def weakness, abnormal reflexes, etc


But if it isn't suspected. . .they will stop at a symptomatic limb. My neuro who saw a lot OF als cases said the same thing


I think if you have normal reflexes, and a one limb test, no weakness. . then ALS diagnosis is a pretty far away possibility.


My understanding is that they would expect to fibrlations in limbs with fascilations. . .so if your doctor examined one symptomatic limb you are probally good
 
Umm . . . I am 42 and my neuro didn't even see a need for an emg just because "I am 40." As a matter of fact, he said ALS was very slim due to my age . . . I think 55 is more the average age of onset.

Peg
 

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