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Myasthenia Gravis For support and discussions on Myasthenia Gravis, Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes and LEMS. |
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12-09-2011, 02:19 AM | #1 | ||
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Okay, I was here a while ago, but my head was spinning from the merry-go-around.
Anyway, I've seen many neurologist, who couldn't come up with a decision with me. Then, I get a call from my primary doctor, who said my whole work up was wrong. I have had every test under the sun. I failed a portion of my pulmonary function test, and I continue to complain about breathing when I lie flat. Long story short, I have a 5.7 enlarge thymus (no tumor). Anyway, I was sent to the head of neurology. After that, an outside referral for a single fiber EMG was ordered to determined whether or not I have MG. Since, MG is up in the air for me, I stopped taking my mestinon. I can feel the effects (legs feel heavy). However, I thought it was a good idea to stop taking the meds, so it would not interfere with testing. Am I right, or should I do something else? Plus, what should I expect? What areas will they perform the test? |
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12-09-2011, 02:37 PM | #2 | ||
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Hi. It's great you're having a SFEMG. That should give the doctors a lot more information.
You are right to stop the Mestinon before the test. Often they'll tell you 12 or 24 hours, but there is a small study here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...20211/abstract that shows that Mestinon in your system can affect the SFEMG results for longer than that. When I had my SFEMGs (I've had three, because the first two we inconclusive) they put thin needles (very thin) in my arms and legs. I've heard that it's important to make sure you're warm while they're doing it (because a chilled muscle might yield a false negative). The needles themselves aren't bad unless the doctor hits a nerve, in which case you may ask him to move the needle. While the needle is in, the doctor will ask you to slightly clench the muscle and hold it like that. The whole thing takes about 45 minutes. My third SFEMG got me a diagnosis, finally. The weird thing is that this one was done on the muscles of my face (around my eyes). Those aren't muscles that I've noticed any weakness in. The neurologist didn't seem to think that mattered. He also sent small pulses of electricity (painless) to make the muscles twitch instead of asking me to clench the muscles, but they tell me this is an unusual method to use. I hope this helps. It's good to know what to expect. I hope you get clear answers! Abby |
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12-11-2011, 01:23 AM | #3 | ||
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Thanks, Abby.
If you had EMGs as well as SEMGs, can you tell me the difference in the two? Meaning procedure. I've had 3 EMGs in which I got the needle and the zap. I would like to know what is different. I know the SEMG are going to target one nerve at a time, but are they longer? You mentioned you had to clench your muscle. I don't remember being asked to do that for the EMG. Is there anything else? Do they test the whole body or just the reported area of weakness? |
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12-11-2011, 08:12 AM | #4 | ||
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Senior Member
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Quote:
Abby |
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12-12-2011, 12:02 AM | #5 | ||
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Yay, I'm not going to be zapped. I was fearing that the most.
So, you didn't have weakness all over your body. I seem to be more affected on my right side and below the knee on the left. Lately, I've been having trouble smiling. |
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12-18-2011, 11:36 PM | #6 | ||
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Grand Magnate
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Poetist, Did you have the test done?
I've had a few SFEMG's and EMG's. Maybe it's because I have nerve damage from a B12 deficiency but I thought they both hurt. Abby has had the SFEMG where you don't have to "participate" and contract a muscle group while the test is being done. Most doctors do it where you have to repeatedly contract a muscle. You'll definitely feel it. Whether you think it hurts or not is often a matter of perception. They normally do the forearm, shoulder or forehead. Some doctors do more than one muscle, some don't. They never do the chest wall muscles - too dangerous. If you had it done, I hope it went well. And that you don't have to wait weeks for the results! It can take awhile. Annie |
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