I have an EMG test scheduled for June 15th, but I’m not sure that I want to go ahead with it (uncomfortable and possibly not necessary after my clinical exam). I want to find out if my neurologist is prescribing just so I will feel better since a diagnosis of BFS is by process of elimination. Would the EMG give data that might point to another neurological disorder? Should I just wait and see? Yesterday, I played 3+ hours of doubles tennis followed by 9 holes of golf. I twitch all over fairly continuously but no sever weakness. I have some ongoing pins & needles in my left arm/hand.My anxiety level dropped significantly after discovering this website… I wish my neurologist recommended it to me. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! After my initial (typical) panic, I feel that all my symptoms point to BFS ("benign fasciculation syndrome") and not ALS! My story/history: I’m a male, 61 years old in otherwise good health.• Mid-February 2011 – started to get some occasional pins & needles sensations in both arms/hands, usually at night. On & off. • Mid-April 2011 – circumstances around a house settlement caused much anxiety/stress for about a week. Some nights trouble sleeping. I hadn’t experienced similar stress for quite some time. • End of April – started noticing twitching in calves, etc. • Early/Mid May - Went to see my GP. Had test done for blood, electrolytes, Lymes disease. Everything checked normal. Only med I’m taking is 5mg Zocor generic. Doc recommended discontinuing a few weeks and come back. • May 31st – saw GP again. My symptoms were unchanged. I was referred to a Neurologist. • June 2nd – saw Neurologist (filled in for a cancellation) and got an office evaluation. No weakness or trouble swallowing – displayed twitching all over my body… Scheduled an EMG for June 15th. • June 3rd, 4th, 5th – Very anxious weekend at the beach which is usually relaxing. I’m thinking that I could very likely have ALS – creating more anxiety. • June 6th – I discovered the AboutBFS website. After reading article & forums, my anxiety level drops to almost normal. Slept a solid 8 hours for the last several nights. For the last week, my twitchingKey points that made me feel better: • My twitches are all over my body. They did not start out localized. I read that by the time an ALS patient experiences twitches, there is extreme weakness, dropping things, falling. "A simple clinical rule is that fasciculations in relaxed muscle are never indicative of motor system disease unless there is an associated weakness, atrophy or reflex change." • It seems that very many people with BFS began experiencing symptoms after extreme stress/anxiety – my experience. Anyway, I’ve rambled on long enough. I’m tending to want to put off the EMG for a while and just see what happens… Maybe reschedule for a few weeks down the road.
Questioning EMG Test for BFS
- Thread starter LilLoco77
- Start date
Well, I know some will not like it but EMG is neccessary always when patient present with fasciculations - clinical exam can pick up only upper motor neuon signs and obvious lower m.n. signs (weakness/atrophy). One needs to be sure that their nature is not neurogenic. Whether particular neurologists order it its up to him, but I would be surprised if any does not. It is standard procedure, nothing that you should be scared of, its not painful and will provide you solid proof that your condition is benign.It is not because of the rare cases, EMG is needed because other conditions (other than MND) needs to be ruled out as well. Also your thyroid will be probably checked as well because hyperthyroidism can produce overall fasciculations.So I would say, definitely go for it and be happy with results you will get. With your story, I am sure it is just BFS.
JohnnyRocket
Well-known member
Double D is 100% right. Tons and tons of neuros know better than to order an EMG just because a patient has muscle twitching. And think about it, why wouldn't a doc order a test if it were needed? Even if there was a slight chance it were needed? Are all these neuros stupid, or do they have enough experience to know better? The truth is that an EMG is NOT needed in many cases when the background and clinical exam tell the whole story. Even as TwitchyMD said at the end of his post, "With your story, I am sure it is just BFS". Well, that is very true and I agree. Get the EMG if you really want it, but if "all signs point to BFS" and your neuro agrees, then why bother?
abbitBouncyBunny
Well-known member
I have had two, the first one was just my right leg and right arm, well that was not good enough for me so I went to second neauro who gave me a full body torture test.... 
It involved both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, my jaw, my toungue, my spine, and my butt cheek... 
Did it help my anxiety? No! should I have went to the second one? No! Did I get offered a first one?NO! I insisted, waste of time and money for me. But they made sure on the second one that it would be my last, because it HURT! and I'm not ashamed to admit to it, I could barely walk when I left there. I think that was were the plan too 
The first one showed mild neauropathy, the second one was totally clean. 
But either way it did not show my worst fear so I'm good.... 
)By the way, you should take your neauro's advise either way and run with it, you BFS'r you...God Bless
It involved both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, my jaw, my toungue, my spine, and my butt cheek... Did it help my anxiety? No! should I have went to the second one? No! Did I get offered a first one?NO! I insisted, waste of time and money for me. But they made sure on the second one that it would be my last, because it HURT! and I'm not ashamed to admit to it, I could barely walk when I left there. I think that was were the plan too The first one showed mild neauropathy, the second one was totally clean. But either way it did not show my worst fear so I'm good.... )By the way, you should take your neauro's advise either way and run with it, you BFS'r you...God BlessBarbiePetals
Well-known member
I agree. My neurologist would never have ordered an EMG. It was my family doctor who did because I was such a nervous wreck. When the neurologist performed the EMG (who happened to be my current neurologist) he said "I'm not going to find anything". He was right. When I saw him 2 months later he told me I didn't really need the EMG.
Thank you all for your kind & encouraging responses. Although at first, I was going to postpone my EGM, I've decided to go ahead with the test tomorrow. I'm hopeful that the test data will not only rule out ALS, but also rule out other potential issues. I hope to be able to say that I'm a BFS'r. That's a condition I can certainly live with.Thanks again.
FantasticFurball
Well-known member
Well. Im no expert. But according to my own experience the emg is not done unless something else (not fasics alone) points towards something else than a benign condition ot the docs have to cover their butt. I live in Denmark where the health system is public. And if you are not seriously ill (BFS aint that) the doctors wont give you any EMG. Im surpriced to see that a lot here still have doubts about the whole BFS thing after many years even. I was given the dx of BFS right away by a normal GP. No ifs or buts. I had doubts so I was referred to a neuro who stated that i was 100% tip-top and had no neurological issues whatsoever. EMG was completely "overkill" so I never had one. I can have one but then I have to pay by myself - but again - I do sports several times every week after more than 4 years of intense twitching in the feets and calves mainly. No ALS case have ever been like that. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. BFS is simply a whole other condition. EMG or not. The main problem with emgs are that they can be "grey" so you may have something but only time will tell and you dont even know what it could be. Some have greyzone emgs and they may be healthy but are placed on a wait for years with uncertancy over nothing. Hopefully you wont be one of those cases. Try to think of it a bit like this: If you live a normal life you are probably not ill.Good luck anyway.
Update - I followed through with my EMG exam and everything tested clean. TwitchyMD's advise to take the test was sound. Thank you! The test itself was not as invasive or as uncomfortable as I was anticipating. Sampled about 8-10 muscles on my left arm, hand and leg. Although I was very apprehensive/anxious, I feel much better knowing that I probably don't have the worst: ***. BFS is certainly a condition I can live with and I'm still hoping that that's what I mostlikely have. I still perceive a slight weakness/clumsiness in my left arm (eg. sometimes have difficulty screwing on a bottlecap or picking up a glass). Sometimes just general fatigue and, of course, continued twitching all over my body. In any case, I'm hopeful this is just BFS and that it may subside over time.Wishing you all the best!
AussieSurvivor
Well-known member
I have never had an EMG to tell me if I have BFS..ALS or even SFA! I am satisfied with my self diagnosis of BFS...and time truely is the litmus test in my opinion. I dont think having an EMG lends itself to any BFS 'right of passage' Each to their own. R