What I recall is a small needle put in various parts of my arm, hand, and around my eye. She moved it around a lot under the skin, turning the needle in different directions, not just poking the needle and removing it. This was ordered for me after a regular EMG was negative. When I found out it the regular EMG was negative, I asked the doctor if it made a difference if it was the repetitive use of the muscle that made it weaker. He then did a repetitive nerve stimulation test right then, which suggested to him that it was myasthenia. That's when he referred me to Chicago for the SFEMG. That was the end of 2 years of looking for a diagnosis.
As for the travel, I made my first appointment, got up there for an initial exam and thought I was having the SFEMG. Because they didn't pay attention to where I was traveling from, they scheduled me on a day when the neuro didn't do SFEMGs, just regular appointments. I left there frustrated and crying! She felt bad but couldn't make room for the appt, because it can take over an hour for this test. So make sure they are aware that you have to travel a ways to get there so they can do everything at once.
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Originally Posted by winic1
What is a single fiber EMG test like? I had the cattleprod type, and the stick, a tiny needle in type. Mostly in my neck this time, some in my arm. Sensors were on my arm, then up my neck & face.
Supposed to have gotten a copy of the reports, but of course, haven't shown up yet. Going to be actually in the same building on Wednesday, maybe I can get them to hand these over if I go in in person.
Going to call Yale for neurologists. New Haven is about an hour and a half away. Husband will have to take day off from work to get me there (he works in the opposite direction, so it will pretty much kill the day). Hoping they will recognize "transportation difficulties" and try to cram as much as possible in at once, and not pull the keep coming back for one step at a time routine, which will just mean I can't continue there. (Some places do, some don't.)
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