[Inquisit]

Hello,
I'm Pat. I live in Europe and I have been suffering from some weird symptoms since June. I rather think they presented themselves quite drastically. Suddenly I had a hard time with muscles, both legs, neck, sometimes jaws and recently arms and hands. I've gone from doing aerobics three times a week to barely walking to school where I teach. Sometimes it's incredibly difficult to write on the whiteboard.
In addition, I have pain in my feet and in my upper back. I have awkward sensations, almost like tingling but without the pain, in both arms and legs. The neuro said right off that there's nothing wrong without seeing blood work or EMG, but I'm growing gradually worse. I get hot flashes and perspire a lot. Don't take me wrong, but I'll do anything for this to be MG and not Lou Gehrig's (ALS; MND). Well, tomorrow I'll take the EMG and hope to God they'll find out what's going on.

I'll be in touch. I'm quite worried.

[(Broken Wings)]

Welcome to NT

That is quick. Reason to worry.

I've had 4 sets of EMGs. They're in a controlled environment. I would feel safe in saying they know what they're doing. Anxiety is understandable and I would be anxious before each set I had.

I won't last that long. You can tolerate it for a little while, in hopes of knowing what's wrong.

Sometimes it wasn't painful. Sometimes just a little discomfort. So don't be too worried about it being painful. It's tolerable, even the worst one.

I pray the EMG yields resutls that indicates the reason for it. Sometimes they are not conclusive. So just be prepared that it may not tell you exactly what's wrong. It may tell you what's NOT wrong with you, though. Can be used to "rule out" neurologic conditions too.

Keep us informed of how it goes.

I hope you find the cause and it's treatable.


Keep us informed.

[dbw52]

Hello, I am new to this site as well. I was just like you a very healthy active person. All the sudden i had problems that have my life filled with anxiety. I found out after my EMG that i have benign faciculation syndrone. which looks like ALS but thank god isnt.*edit*, i cant leave links yet but you can google *edit* to find the page it is very helpful. Those diseases are very rare and there is a good chance you dont have it. I can empathize with you. I have myself so worked up over this whole thing it consumes me. Hope all goes well.

[tamiloo]

Pat, first off I want to welcome you to NeuroTalk. We are a huge group of folks who help one and other to get through our bad or good days.

Hope they can find something with this test. The sudden symptoms must be very troubling. Your included in my prayers...keep in touch...

[NurseNancy]

hello and welcome,

it's so hard to schedule tests and then wait for the results. i know how frightening this can be.

i'll say some prayers that your dr can find out what's wrong.
don't give up looking for answers. please keep us posted.
we're here for you. you're not alone.

[dahlek]

That few folks had even five years ago! It is called the 'Internet Search Machines'!
First off? I suggest you start with good sources/resources such as are posted here, and especially look at the 'stickies' at the top of each forum.
There are many, many and even more neuro problems that could 'cause' any one medical issue? OR a combo of issues.
Now, further? YOU gotta assess your own life in the past, from before or after these things started happening. Were you in an accident? Whiplash? Did you have a long lasting Flu or the like? Outstanding diahreah or more? Gastro, trauma or long-term infection come to my own mind from what little you've described.
OK BASICS! DO NOT PANIC NOW!!!!!! That is an order! Read about all the the possibles and THINK about other quirky things could have caused it all. WRITE IT OUT? Keep it to one page...including: your past medical problems, shots, surgeries, meds, and what docs you see on a regular basis... This will help any NEW doc to assess you as a 'sane' person with 'insane' problems. You Are Organized-GOOD.
I gotta ask? WHY hasn't your doc started blood work on you from the get-go? Sounds pretty lazy to me.. ASK HIM WHY HAVEN'T YOU been TESTED FOR THE FULL Blood panels? It could be the cattle prod he needs? IF you are politely assertive, w/a tad of please? [honey] you can go far... or maybe check out other docs? PM me if you want advice on how to find a good doc. Unless you are in a very BIG city? These communities of 'specialists' are rather small, and thus, peer pressure that you mite be seeing someone else, mite light the fire under the chair... you get my drift?
In the meantime? LEARN about the possibles, but don't panic! Learn about the possible 'ifs' and thus learn how to ask VERY intelligent questions of your doc... never said, but, implying: are you doing all you can/should? He/She will work harder for you [IF you like them] if you earn their respect with your desire to learn and get the best treatment for all of this ASAP! Yeah, there are some hoops to jump thru? But, truly other than insurances? Most are just easy steps, not hops.
Keep faith in yourself, and what all your body is telling you? BUT don't panic about it. Be cool calm and anaylitical about it...and convey that 'coolness' to your docs. My best docs? Honestly say: I don't Know about lots of my questions, so I go and search and answer them to my own satisfaction.
It IS esesential for your own sanity. And I believe you know what I mean.
The 'What If's and If Only's' don't apply here. Bodies and what all miracles make them work? Well, they are quirky. And most researchers, let alone docs, really understand whatever goes on in any one of us... Keep learning and keep at trying to get a diagnosis! Have more faith in yourself than anyone else! YOU KNOW something is wrong. Go find it, and find docs who can help you! - j
OH? BTW? For me? EMG's are a zeep and zap here and there, nothing more...At one time I'd NO feeling at all and actually fell asleep on the testing table! However, IF current is 'upped' to any degree? DO NOT HESITATE to PROTEST and VOCALLY! YEOWS! Are good, and if ya do it loud enuf? It can be heard in the waiting room? I've only had to do the lo and medium caliber yeows, But, given the circumstances? I'm not afraid to scream a big YEOW!!!HEY! now and then? Most techs are 'peaches' but there are some 'sadists' loose out there... Yeow them out, But I expect you not to encounter one!.....

[azoyizes]

Hi Pat, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with lots of friendly, caring, and helpful people.

Good luck with your tests, and please do keep us informed. We care, and we're so glad you found us!

[Darlene]

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with our loving group. There are a number of friends will to assist as we can. Just let us know how we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene