Neurology Visit Gone Wrong

[styx5690]

I had my Neurology visit today and it did not go very well, Im kind of a mess right now. First, they rescheduled my EMG for Aug. the 22nd. The reason is that they want to also give me an EEG and said it would be best to do them during the same appointment. Second, In addition to the EEG he also scheduled me for two MRI's (brain and spine) the week following??! I thought my office examination went well, he gave me all of the standard tests I have heard about from people on this site, like the heel walk, toe walk, finger and hand tests, reflex tests etc...and everything was fine. He said that everything looked normal. I told him about all of my symptoms and he became really concerned about some weird sporadic weakness in my right hand. Once every month or two one of the fingers on my right hand will become totally weak. I mean TOTALLY WEAK, I can barely lift it. It lasts for a day or two then goes away. He seemed mistified by it and a bit concerned. We talked about it for 20 minutes. I had dismissed it because my primary doctor said it was probably nothing more than tendonitis in my wrist and forearm. I was not too worried about it because my understanding is that ALS weakness does not come and go like that. Now I dont know what to think. I have to be honest, I am a little freaked out.

 

[zEarthyRanger]

When you say he was "concerned", what did he actually say about it?

Did he do any tests on that finger after you told him? If not, or if he did and you "passed" them, I'd not worry.

 

[Carrilicious]

Will

I'm sorry it didn't go as planned but sounds like you passed most of the scary tests. you said he gave you the whole regimine(sp?) of weakness testing and you were fine. So the question i ask did you tell him about the weakness or did he see it himself.

I'm sorry they made you wait on the emg but that's only next weeak right? (Yeah easier said than done) You will also kill two birds by having teh emg and eeg. (What is that, I have know clue)

Like you said it really doesn't sound like als but maybe you do have some sort of nerve damage. Before you know it you'll be there and have everything worked out. I promise.
Carri

 

[styx5690]

Carri and zEarthyRanger
I appreciate the concern, to answer your questions, there was no clinical weakness present during my visit. I simply mentioned to him that it has happened 4 times in the past 7 months and usually lasted about 1 or 2 days. He asked me whether the there was tightness associated with the weakness or if my fingers were limp. I told him that there was some tightness in my forearms but not the finger or hand. He gave me a few grip tests and said everything was fine.

 

[Summerlicious]

Sorry it didn't go as you planned, Will, but it really seems like your doc is just concerned as to what other reason there is for the weakness that comes and goes. I'm totally sure he's not concerned that it's ALS (like the others have said, ALS weakness doesn't come and go...it stays and gets worse and worse), he's just concerned that you have weakness that comes and goes and wants to find out why.

Keep us posted about your next doctor visit.