Hi everyone! I am having a really tough day and need some guidance. I went to see the pain management specialist that did my lumbar epidural last Thursday for a follow-up. I told him that I felt like I got some relief in my left leg but my right leg was still hurting with pain and I am still having what I describe as a cold feeling in my right foot. Not pins and needles numb but odd, weird feeling. Not sure if it is sensory or due to my bulging disc in L5. What has got me back into the panic mode again is at the first visit with him and today he said he is not sure why the EMG or nerve conductivity didn't pick up on it. So now I am questioning the EMG results. I have had two passing clinical exams and my EMG was stated to be "Essentially normal study. There is no evidence for denervation or inflammation of the musculature and no evidence for peripheral polyneuropathy or lumbosacral root entrapment is seen. No spontaneous fibrillations or trains of positive waves were seen. Rare fasciculations were present in a few of the muscles." When I went to Cleveland Clinic I was hoping that another EMG would be done because of what the pain management dr. said but the dr. there did not perform one. Am I reading too much into this? Should I ask for another EMG? The neuro who conducted the test was at a clinic out of town and has 27 yrs experience, as my local neuro is new to town and did not have the equipment at the time. I feel like I take a step forward and two steps back in progress when it comes to shaking the fear. I have made an appt. at the IU Medical Center with Dr. Pascuzzi who is an associate of Dr. Kincaid. I feel I need to find a neurologist that understands BFS. My current neuro is chalking it up to my back is causing the leg twitches and everything else is JUST anxiety. He is not one to call it BFS but "some people twitch for no reason". Thanks and sorry for the long post!Shelly
Seeking Guidance for Pain Management
- Thread starter mymy16
- Start date
AussieSurvivor
Well-known member
Shelly you do what you need to do to satisfy your own concerns. I know what you mean about the lack of knowledge with BFS. My GP was the same, said I had restless leg syndrome, and said he had never heard of BFS. Did acknowledge the anxiety aspect of it all.Reading your post, I think you have already made your own mind up. If it gives you the peace of mind you need go for it.CheersRodger
Thanks Rodger, I have a week to think over what I want to do as I see my neurologist on Friday. I'm sure he will think I am a nut case but what the heck. Maybe he can at least reassure me and put my fears at rest. I definitely let my anxiety get the best of me the last couple of days. I feel like I've calmed down a bit so hopefully I will have a better week.
SmartMister
Well-known member
I hope this turns out legibly as I am typing on my digital phone keyboard which is very small and I have a lot of trouble with but here goes. I think that you are safe in believing your diagnosis from the Cleveland Clinic as they are one of the best in the world. I also think you should not let your pain management person freak you out because he or she is not a neurologist in fact they are a far cry from it. I think if you would like another opinion you should do it because I am sure it will make you feel better. I was fortunate enough to have a Neurologist in South Bend who is a friend of Dr Kincaids so I got in very quickly. I loved him and he put to rest any question I had plus he has bfs himself so he gets us. Having said that I am sure all his associates are good and I was impressed with IU med center overall. So if I were you I would go. If you want to read about my appointment it is in the section marked experieces about bfs and is titled new neruologist neuro muscular specialist. You can see what my appointment was like. I would also suggest you not freak out because of what that other guy said to you and your diagnosis was correct and you are like all of us and will be fine. I hate this too it is very annoying and yesterday I had three hot spots going at one time. Annoying but not life threatening. I am at the point where I just get mad at having this stuff. Go to your appointment it will be worth it. Mary
So I did ask for another EMG with my local neuro and he told me "NO". He said 1) It is not a easy test to go through. 2) I REALLY don't feel you need another one. 3) Insurance probably won't cover the procedure again just for your piece of mind. I know his responses sound arrogant but he really isn't an arrogant Dr. I guess he just wanted to be assertive with tough love to say that no way in heck you have a MND. He also said that what he has found that Cleveland Clinic being the hospital that it is...if they would have found something suspicious they would have done and EMG there. So I guess I need to stop doubting and let it go.....easier said than done 