E.M.G. testing

[thewineadvisor]

Hi

I have not been been diagnosed with MS all though there is talk of having the symptoms. I had a MRI scan last week but not got my results yet. In the mean time have had a letter from nuerophysiology to go for an EMG and another test, cant remember what!, but can any one enlighten me on what this is and what to expect, please.

 

regards Winnie x

[Jayneanne]

Winnie

I am so sorry but i hadn't seen your post and it was days ago and I feel so bad, sorry.

 

Electromyography is a test that assesses the health of the muscles and the nerves controlling the muscles.

For an EMG, a needle electrode is inserted through the skin into the muscle. The electrical activity detected by this electrode is displayed on an oscilloscope, and may be heard through a speaker.

 

After placement of the electrodes, you may be asked to contract the muscle (for example, by bending your arm). The presence, size, and shape of the wave form -- the action potential -- produced on the oscilloscope provide information about the ability of the muscle to respond when the nerves are stimulated.

 

A nerve conduction velocity test is usually performed in conjunction with an EMG (perhaps that is the other one your doctor mentioned?).

 

No special preparation is usually necessary. Avoid using any creams or lotions on the day of the test. You may feel some discomfort when the electrodes are inserted, but most people are able to complete the test without significant difficulty.

 

Afterward, the muscle may feel tender or bruised for a few days.

EMG is most often used when people have symptoms of weakness and examination shows impaired muscle strength. It can help to differentiate primary muscle conditions from muscle weakness caused by neurologic disorders.

 

Muscle tissue is normally electrically silent at rest. Once the insertion activity (caused by the trauma of needle insertion) quiets down, there should be no action potential on the oscilloscope. When the muscle is voluntarily contracted, action potentials begin to appear. As contraction is increased, more and more muscle fibers produce action potentials until a disorderly group of action potentials of varying rates and amplitudes (complete recruitment and interference pattern) appears with full contraction.

 

Matbe some of the others have experienced this test and can let you have their first hand knowledge

Hope this helps

JA

 

[PPP]

Evoked Potentials -no needles, just pads like a grubby TENS machine.

And some headphones.

Lots of electro vibration, noises, knowing looks but never any result forthcoming in my case.

Probably went into same skip as other tests.

Consultant notes don't mention them anyway, so costly NHS parking, half a day hanging about and wasted journeys really boost my faith in 'them'.

[Heste]

I had this test on my left leg. Like ppp, it was never referred to again but I am sure it either ruled something out or ruled sometihing in.

 

The test was not so bad. But not the most pleasent thing either. We get used to doctors sticking needles into muscles but this chap was sticking them into my shin. That felt odd.

 

I think this test was to check to see if the signal to move my foot was stopping on its way down or if the signal was never sent.

 

My wife had the same test on her arm when she had carpal tunnel syndrome. In her case the signal gets stopped in her wrist and so a quick Op and she was right as rain.

 

In my case I dont think the signal gets to leave my brain.

 

Regards,

 

John

[Jayneanne]

I have just been refered for the same test but I think mine is because I have little or no grip in my hands and fingers. I had to place the tip of my forefinger to the tip of my thumb to make a circle and the medico pulled his finger through to test my strength and he could pull straight through no prob. Felt a proper wimp!

Keep dropping stuff at home - usually cups ooops

[mayb]

I have just received a letter from the hospital asking me to come for these tests on a Saturday and I am to phone to arrange a mutualy convenient time.

 

I am glad to have read this question and your answer jaybenj as my letter says EMG/NCV which are both answered by you thanks for that. We can perhaps compare experiences on these later jayneanne and Winnie.

 

The EP - evoked potential test I had in the past was done by putting electrodes all over my scalp with some jelly like stuff that made your hair look like one of those modern sculpted scruffy looks that would go down well today. Back then I had to wear a hat till I got home to wash it all out again. Anyway I had to watch a series of black and white squares changing - totally painless and you don't have to do anything. I was show the results later and there is a sort of line depicting your age and the average performance expectations. I was just within norms I was told and never heard anything more about it. It is, however, a good ms indicator I have read, in conjunction with other test results of course.

 

We are a busy lot lately aren't we. Perhaps there are some vacancies on the register of ms people and it is about to drop below 80,000 again!!

 

At least your neuro leaves you thinking you have a brain for the signal to leave Heste - you are way ahead of me there!!!

[Jayneanne]

Hi Mary, long time no speak.

Looks like you'll be the first to have these tests so Winnie and I will have first hand comments on the real MaCoy.

I am seeing the back specialist next week so we'll see if he comes up with any additional comments. Going on my own as this one is not so important as the neuro and I think my Spanish is up to bones and stuff. I have been waiting since last May for this appointment when I was experiencing an horrific bout of the hugs and could hardly move or breathe. I had discussed then with my GP about possibly having a boob reduction cos I thought it might have been the strain my back was under Lets see what he says, independently of the neuro.

Will report in as and when I get some news

JAxx

[mayb]

jayneanne whatever he says about your boobs I wouldn't go for any surgery you don't absolutely have to have. I have heard that a boob reduction can be a very painful experience. I think you have enough to contend with don't you. I am sure it won't help with an ms hug anyway, though I know pain can make you want to do anything to get rid of it.

 

Hope you are on top of things really quickly now - get back to your easter egg it holds a lot of solutions to life's problems I have found!

 

Just as a point of interest and nothing to do with anything really, my husband came back from a session of Alan Carrs Easy Way. He went yesterday afternoon as a heavy smoker and came back yesterday evening as a non smoker. I know it is a bit early to say but he hasn't even mentioned having one since and we were amongst smoker friends yesterday evening too. I am truly amazed. I wonder if a session of hypnotherapy would work on pain too. If we can't get rid of pain we may be able to find a natural way of blocking our perception of it. I have seriously thought of hypnotherapy to get rid of my travel sickness problems.

[thewineadvisor]

Hiya JA and Mary

 

I had my EMG over a week ago now. It was not too bad, it was on my legs. They did put the needles into my muscles and the pads with electric shocks and though it was uncomfertable it was bearable ( no worse than the pain I have tolerated for over a year now anyway!) I dont know the results or even the results of my MRI scan which I had four weeks ago, all I got out of them was I have some kind of nerve damage but at the moment does not mean much to me. So I do hope they get a move on and things will become much clearer soon!!!!!!

Let me know how you both get on with yours too.

 

 

Regards Winnie

 

By the way JA dont go through with an op you dont really need its not worth the extra stress!!!!!!!

 

[mayb]

I think mine is for legs and arms so not looking forward to it at all. What is your pain like Winnie? I have a pain that now involves most of my left leg although mostly controlled by the meds I am on. I have had this particular bout for about 5 months now and it doesn't appear to be going away. Now I am on gabapentin and tramadol the pain sometimes appears as a sort of contraction in that it builds up and then fades away - usually when I stand up from sitting or lying down. I have had this pain before centred mostly in my groin and both times I have had this it is a pain that makes it hard to bear to move at all for the first few days before treatment kicks in.

 

I really don't care what they do right now, if they would only give it a name and treat it with something to make it go away I would be quite happy - they can call it what they like. Of course they may go back to theory one and it will be a slipped disc or stenosis.

 

I had thought this was going to be the same sort of test I had before but although that involved sending electric pulses through my fingers and toes it did not involve needles in anything.

 

I will let you know how I get on if I actually end up going first, but I have to ring them before 4th April so I am hoping it will be for the following Saturday. Best to get it out of the way soon as poss.

 

I think I have eaten all the Easter chocolate now so I will be lying around like a boa constrictor digesting its prey for a few hours yet. It is not Easter Sunday anymore so Happy Bank Holiday all!

[Jayneanne]

Hey you two.I had pretty well decided not to go through with the op after I discovered the symptoms of the MS hug which describes my experience exactly. It was as if I had written it myself.

 

I have been waiting almost a year for this appointment and the X Rays I had taken are probably not even relevant now, They do show a bone spur, herniated disc and ostoearthritis in T 7/8, which does happen to be the level at which I get the hug. At a wild guess I expect to be offered painkillers and sent home. Doesnt seem to be much they can do for bad backs..........

 

Glad that the experience was not too uncomfortable Winnie. Cant say I am looking forward to it but it would be good to get all of the tests out of the way.

That pain sounds awful Mary, you poor darling. I do think that chocolate should be given on prescription!

[linds]

Hi Ja,

I'm releived that you are not gonna have the breast reduction op. My friend had it done and got no releif at all. Also they have grown bigger again for some unknown reason.

I go to see neuro surgeon re hemigiomas in a coupleof weeks after cat scan. He deffo thinks the new symps are down to the ms as the stress (family ) I had last year seemed to coincide with this Can anyone confirm this happens.

I read about Amy Winehouse's mum y/day and her battle with ms. Amy has not helped there with her drug prob!!!

[mayb]

Thanks Jaybenj I will put that to them on the day I have my tests - or perhaps I shall bring some with me for distraction purposes.

 

I have had a steroid injection recently for a stenosis/slipped disc so I do know there are treatments out there jaybenj - I was unlucky that this didn't work but it was done as a diagnostic thing too. Others have had same or similar treatments and no doubt will post on here to let you know about them. As I realise now , not all symptoms will be ms and you have to be treated separately for such problems as this, so I am sure they will try something to help you with it.

 

Linda I think everyone on here would probably agree that stress is a real trigger for problems. I am not diagnosed but I had the worst symptoms I have ever experienced kick in 2 days after I was suspended from work without warning. You can imagine the shock and the stress that involved. 5 months later problems persist and work issues have not been resolved. I have never had anything persist this long before either. Even my solicitor is saying there must be a connection!! Trouble is I can't say I have ms, so it just looks like a convenient coincidence to my employers that I 'suddenly' get struck down like this. Not sure why that is convenient but then I'm not sure of anything any more.

 

I do hope you get some positive news on the hemo things Linda. Have you tried any alternative treatments for this problem? Is it worth checking out the LDN that lots of people on here have found helpful do you think, as it is not just for ms but covers cancers and autoimmune diseases too and all sorts of other stuff I believe. I have everything crossed for you anyway so keep that chin up and let us know what happens.

[Jayneanne]

Before I left the UK, I was told that the cortisone (steroid) injection in coccyx had to be the last one as I have had so many over the years - in the lower lumbar region, shoulder and knees.

The effect I know is incredible and enabled me to carry on with sports way past my teens. Perhaps the thinking has changed over the years, as does happen so frequently in modern medicine?

I am however beginning to wonder if all of these episodes of pain were MS all along, is that possible guys do you think? It is such a scary thought that people can go undiagnosed for years on end - like your good self Mary.

Have to get organised soon as I have not got any water coming into the house and am seeing the traumatologist this afternoon. So I am going up to my M-in-Law's for a shower and hairwash and a nice cuppa before I leave for the appointment.

OMG where did I put my best undies???????? Oh dear, must shave my legs too. Don't forget the mouthwash and a gentle fragrance, not too OTT

You guys have it so easy you know!

[thewineadvisor]

Hi Mary

 

I have had pain in my legs constantly now for twelve months, with no medication.

Some days are worse than others and a few days have hardly been able to walk at all.

I have had restless legs for years with various flare ups which was told its a virus, but three years ago had a really bad few weeks where the doctor thought I had Lupus, this was ruled out, within the space of a few weeks I had a fever, pnuemonia, (glandula fever was mentioned) and shingles too. I recovered from that and then had a few days of severe pain in my right arm where I could not move it, this subsided too. I get a severe pain behind my left eye only with flashing lights and vision loss. I get sensitive to touch on my head with a creepy crawlie feeling and an odd sensation on the left of my back.

The bad legs started just over twelve months ago with the feeling of needing to stretch yet when I did went into severe cramps, I get muscle twitches and pain from the toes right up to my buttocks, with a heavy, hot and tingly feeling with a weakness too. I also get the same but to a lesser degree in my upper arms and the muscle at the join of my head/ neck. The fatigue drives me mad as I was used to being a 100 mile an hur person too. I too have been told nerve damage and have been in trouble with time off at work.

 

I have just thought of another symptom too, when I lay down i have like a pounding in my ears which I cannot decide if I can hear my own heart beating or the blood rushing through a valve sort of thing. very odd!!!! anyone else come accross this?

 

Keeping positive

Regards Winnie

 

Still no results back from my MRI and EMG tests. You may have had yours by now but if not dont worry as the needles dont hurt too much its probably like accupuncture they are very very thin and only insert one at a time. I had no bleeding no bruising and was fine, I just took a pair of shorts and a vest to put on and then did not need to wear one of those famous gowns.

[linds]

Hi Winnie,

I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND ME COMMENTING HERE BUT I WAS TOLD THE EARS THING WAS ON ACCOUNT OF THE BONES IN THOSEEARS WERE WEARING THIN.

I ALSO GET MOST OF YOUR SYMTOMS - LINDA

[mayb]

To be honest Winnie there is not much you have described that couldn't be me - even the pain behind the eye although mine is in the inside corner and goes up over my head - no flashing lights but eyes can get blurry. If one of us gets a diagnosis perhaps we can all share it.

 

I couldn't do anything both times the pain in my leg has struck big time - it goes from hip to toe as well but all over not as a stab of pain. I was in agony the first time and got nothing for it for a couple of weeks. I had many experiences of pain in my lower leg before and some falls. I was then prescribed gabapentin for all the burning sensations and pain I experienced for months afterwards. This time I immediately got gabapenin and tramadol and have taken them for 5 months now. I don't know how you survived without any medication Winnie. My husband brought me the strongest painkillers he could buy without prescription (a form of cocodamol and something else I believe) and they hardley dented it and cocodamol didn't work at all this time.

 

I am having the EMG at high noon on Saturday, so I am glad to hear your report it doesn't sound quite so bad as I imagined it. To be honest I am scared of picking up infections with needles being used - lets not think about that right now though.

 

I am not seeing the neurologist for 3 months now anyway so probably will have to wait that long for the results. It's no fun all of this is it! Still we are all in it together so we can be there for each other too - nobody else could understand how it is could they.

[thewineadvisor]

Hi Mary, Linda and all

 

Its just comferting to know we are not alone and going mad, which I some times question myself upon but then I forget cos my memory is inconsistant too!!!!

With the pain thing, I probably dont dont laugh as much as used to but the thing that has kept me going is the love for my Grandson who is 10 and lives with me.

I am a dab hand on the WII and the PS2 also becoming a motor bike mechanic too, he got a mini motor bike for Christmas!

He is doing his sats soon ready for High school which is keeping me busy as he has dyslexia and needs extra help. He keeps me busy and we have a laugh when my legs wont do what I want them to.

 

Thanks about the ears thing Linda, guess its not related to the other symptoms then, but another issue!!!

 

The needles they use in the EMG are so so thin and like a wire from what I could see he used a new one each time, there is only one insertion at a time not all over like accupuncture. I think it was about five insertions with one of them being in the hip, that was for one leg and he only needed to do one leg with the probes. There was no infection where the needles had been after and no bruising either. In fact I would say the pads with the electric shock was the more uncomfertable of the two tests and that was not too bad either, So no need to worry. Take care.

 

Regards Winnie

 

[Jayneanne]

Love your idea of sharing a diagnosis Mary, would make more sense if one saw the neuro another had MRI someone else the EMG and perhaps the one we liked least the Lumbar puncture. Wait for 4 to leave the world and we could all be a part of the 85,000 oops sorry, 84,999 cos I live in Spain (room for one more!!!!!)

 

It all seems to be a bit of a lottery as I see it being pot luck with your neuro and what mood they are in on that day too.

Hey Winnie, your grandson sounds a star and great company for you. Kids do keep you young and are great levelers and make you put things into perspective. They tend to live in the moment and don't clutter their lives with unecessary emotions.

I envy you your Wii, hoping to get one when I have some spare cash - long wait but hey! Good luck with the dyslexia. I bet you have found that he is a very bright boy which is often the way with dyslexics. Thanks for the EMG info, but I expect by the time my appointment comes I will have forgotten everything I have read and have to look it up again LOL

 

Best of luck on Saturday Mary

 

[mayb]

Thanks for the info winnie I must admit it makes it all sound a bit less scary - I didn't go to the first appointment my neuro made as he hadn't warned me about it and I didn't know why I was having it. I put it off until I had an explanation of why. the neuro still didn't explain it but said we had to find out about my numb patches. So I would love to find out about them so I'm going.

 

Thanks too jaybenj Saturday is creeping up fast after a Bank Holiday weekend!

[Jayneanne]

Good luck tomorrow Mary, be thinking of you

[mayb]

Thanks for that I hope I will be fine, though it is not the best way I can think of sending a Saturday. It is the 'noon' bit that gets me every time - and of course needles even very thin ones sounds a bit suspect too. High Noon what does that make you think of!! My OH is coming too so that will be good.

 

Lots of you have been there done that and lived to tell the tale. I have just got a letter from the NHS saying my next appointment will be 31st July!! Do I have to wait until then to get the results I wonder!!

[Michelle]

'High Noon' makes me think of cowboys Seriously, I hope it's not too painful

Michelle x

[mayb]

Me too mich - are we showing our age do you think?

[Michelle]

What do you mean????

Mish 21 twice over