Neuro Appointment: Surprisingly Normal

[Bennings]

Well i had my neuro appt. today and actually it wasn't as bad as i thoght.

I was kind of disappointed because an intern whas going to do my neuro exam.
But when she finished she said: "you're completely normal, you have no clinical weakness", i felt kind of releaved but confused.
Then the Neuro himself came back and checked my reflexes, he told me nothing and asked about my fears, i told him ALS.
He didn't seem to concerned but he asked me if i want an EMG, i said yes, i have it friday already (good or bad? ).

The neuro told me he is going to perform the EMG hisself and he will tell me the things he see during the exam and give me the results right after the exam.

I have a few questions about this appt. and the EMG of friday.

1. No clinical weakness, means all my symptoms of weakness aren't real doesn't it?
2. Why does he want to give me an EMG if i have no weakness?
3. If he found something alarming in the reflexes, would he have told me? (he said nothing about it and i was to nervous to ask, he did say my babinski's were fine).
4. Is it bad to hear stuff during the EMG?
5. If it turns out to be an abnormal EMG, am i doomed?

Thank you guys

 

[Gelianna]

1) I wouldn't say it's all in your head. But there's a difference between feeling weak and being clinically weak. Sounds like you are okay.

2) It doesn't sound like he wanted to give you an EMG. He just asked if you wanted one. If he had thought something was wrong, he would have just said, "I'm going to schedule an EMG."

3) It's normal to receive no comment during the particulars of the exam so long as everything is normal. It would be strange for a doctor to see something unusual and just choose not to mention it to the patient. I know it's hard, but try not to be paranoid and rethink every moment of your exam.

4) If you don't hear things during the EMG, you are either deaf or dead. There will be lots of noises during the EMG. Don't try to interpret them. That's why the neurologist spent so much time in school.

5) Everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to pinched nerves to diabetes (with peripheral neuropathy) to old injuries can cause an abnormal EMG. The majority of people with abnormal EMG's are not doomed.

Congrats on getting your EMG on Friday. You hardly have any time to worry left. ) And with your clean neurological exam, including the reflexes and babinski, means you are almost certainly fine.