Return to Neurology: Muscle Spasms, Cramping, Twitching

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Chris2

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Hi everyone I went back to nero today. Constant muscle spasam in calf 24/7 and cramping in thighs. I saw the female nero at the practice. I told her my worries about maybe i just have a very slow progressing al........(twitching began mar 06) she told me you wouldnt look this good if it was al.....and you look wonderful (that was the best part of the visit) She then did reflex and strengh tests, and told me listen we ruled out ms(my brain cat scan was normal) i told her well dont you need to look at spine for sure. she said no brains the best place. then she said get al..........out of your mind "i'm not even going there" but lets do emg since your last one was in 06 lets have a look at your muscles again. I said why are you thinking maybe it could be, but she just got agitated and got up and said see the girl at the desk for an appt form emg. I said do it right now i cant leave here (you dont know the wait will kill me)but she said my innsurance wont pay for office visit and emg on the same day. it has to be a different appt. to get paid. then she left and my appt. for emg is 1/31. So here i am and i dont want to keep this appoint. i keep thinking, just forget it and stay away. they cant come pick me up. any suggestions.
 
I think you neuro got caught not taking her own advice. She told you quit worring about als then later set up an emg?!?! :confused: I think you called her on it and she got embarrassed and that’s why she got angry. Either that or she wants more money.Do what ever you think will make you feel better. I don't think you need another one at all. You are fine.DD
 
I think you need to be careful about jumping on the doctor merry go round again. It is my impression, doctors know right away if you have any symptoms of ALS. Her saying you wouldn't look this good, tells me she does not think you have ALS at all. I think she is giving you the EMG, because she thinks that is what you are pursuing. Now you have to wait until 1/31 for the EMG, that will cause anxiety, nervous waiting, and most likely increase in symptoms. I have been twitching since March 06 myself, I let my mind wonder sometimes, but it is much more helpful to say I have had this for almost 2 years without any major weakness or atrophy. That is a definite plus. Cramping is definitely a component to this BFS stuff.If your doctor really thought you had any signs of ALS, she would of ordered the EMG off the bat, along with bloodwork. I am positive by her approach that she doesn't think you have it, and it sounds as if she is getting to the irritated bedside manner approach. I think you have to decide what is right for you. But it is my impression, it won't matter if you get the EMG, it might help for a short time, then with the next major craming or flare up, it will be the same old stuff we all do. Did she read it right, did she put it in the right limb, did she leave the needle in long enough, I wasn't having any cramps or fasiculations when she did it, so can they see anything. You know the merry go round. At some time you need to get off the doctor merry go round. I am not saying touching base with your neuro once a year or whatever is wrong, but going to the neuro for every new cramp or twitch, will make you insane, and I think proliferate worries. I know because even after 2 years, I find myself letting my mind run wild sometimes. And it takes work to bring it backI hope you feel better soon.Terri
 
Doctors do like to believe that when they tell a patient something that it will sink in. Your doc told you ALS wasn't even a worry so it wasn't. We do EMG's for a lot more other reasons that ALS. You are complaining of constant spasm and cramping in your leg muscles correct? It is quite likely that she may have decided to order the test to rule out any peripheral neuropathy like a tarsal tunnel or even something from your low back simply for good measure. She likely got agitated because even after she said everything is fine, you immediately went back to ALS and then assumed that the EMG was for that. Not every doctor has the best bedside manner or patience to take the time to explain every little nuance. That is a shame because likely she would have told you the above and you wouldn't be in such a state at the moment. You can go for the EMG if you feel it would ease your mind but I certainly do not expect it to show anything abnormal especially since the clinical exam showed nothing, unless you feel the neuro was being cruel and just telling you that you don't have ALS. ;) You are fine.Kit
 
Christine, I'm sure you have had one of your kids call to you because they were afraid. You are their mom, so of course, you tenderly told them how there was nothing to fear, and held them in your arms possibly to further a feeling of safety. To provide such caring is so beautiful, transcendent even. My God, to be held in another's arms, to feel the warmth of another's touch...is that not the biggest of all drugs, a hug? I'm sure your children felt immediately calmed by your loving words, your sweeter touch. The fear that loomed so large dissipated and they were off to go play, or to fall asleep. As adults, we don't always have someone to shoo away our fears. We have grown up and have gotten into the habit of taking care of ourselves and everyone else, right? And now that we have faltered, who will hug us, and assure us that everything really is okay. What a problem growing up is, eh? We have these darned minds that have learned to be logical, but still retain what we consider the irrational fear of the child. So, is it the fear or the logic that is to blame in our lives? I would like to suggest that the fear is natural and normal, while the logic is a learned process. That's why children can be assured that all is well, while often we can not. We "logic" our way into a freshly painted corner, and no amount of figuring shows us how we might get out of our predicament.Christine, we can not touch you, but I'm sure everyone here would like to encircle you in one big embrace. Allow us to be your parents, just for a moment. You are going to be alright, just fine...there really is nothing to worry about, and no illness boogie man waiting to whisk you away. Feel better? Well, you should...now get playing, that's what I'm going to do.Basso
 
I actually did feel that hug.................and it mattered alot......so thanx for taking the time to send it ,along with those beautiful encouraging words. Your so write about the children. they are innocent and belive their parents when they say "its all right" "you'll be fine" they are trusting and pure and really are the most "positive beautiful people on the planet"... And thankfully some grew up and still became caring friends like all of you.I will play this weekend Basso and take a break from worry. I have granted myself peace this weekend. Kristen (age 12) and I are going to see Juno tonight. Have a great weekendchris
 
I honestly think that this neuro is just covering her behind. She can't tell you that you definitely don't have al.... without doing an emg...so she is going to do an emg. My neuro is the same way. I visited him and had a perfect strength test and perfect neuro exam...then he said that we would do an emg "just in case". I basically freaked out because, like you, they couldn't do it the same day. I came back several weeks later for an emg...it was 100% normal. Then he told me to come back in six "just in case there is something smoking out there....we need to make sure it hasn't turned into a forest fire". I was furious!! But, like a fool....I went back six months just to be told that I was 100% ok and to come back in a year. -- At this point in time, I honestly don't believe I'll go back in a year. But who knows? The point is...neuro's say things just to cover themselves. I am very, very sure that your emg will be fine. And I am also quite sure that you may be told to come back in six months. If that happens...don't worry. It's standard protocol. -- Just try to keep your mind on other things and realize that you are in good company!! :)
 
With your symptoms, you could have nerve entrapment anywhere in the lower half of your body. An EMG (and NCS) is used to test for a lot more than just ALS—it's used to diagnose many nerve and muscle conditions, the vast majority of which are relatively minor and/or curable. I know, for example, that the standard test for carpal tunnel syndrome is an EMG/NCS of the arm.
 
Hi....sorry Christine, I didn't see this post, or I would have replied sooner.You know that it isn't ALS in the back of your mind (gosh did I actually type those letters instead of ***ing them?, I'm not AFRAID anymore?) You do not need to be worried either.think of how good you are going to feel Jan 31, after that test. I hope that you will put the fear away for good then (at least about that disease...there are so many others that us hypochondriac's need the time to worry about.)If you have no one to go with , I am only about 35 minutes from you (with no traffic!!) let me know, I will drive in (over, up...from Long Island?) and take you .ristinaL91
 
thanx christina for the offer. You are a sweet heart and your support i know was sincere. However i'm not taking another emg. I posted another time after this one stating why i'm declining neros offer. I will put this fear nicely back in a bag where it was last year. (much better there) and stay positive and just enjoy my life. After all it is quite good.. We just need a reminder once in a whilechris
 

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