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Old 04-14-2017, 10:10 AM #1
St George 2013 St George 2013 is offline
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Cool Smirk UGH ! Scheduled for EMG/Nerve Conduction Study

Well here I go again.......I saw a new PA when I went to my pain doctor this past Monday. She's either gung ho for testing and referring or she's thorough.

Maybe it was good to see someone new in the office for another point of view. Who knows ?

I had the EMG and nerve study done back in 2013 after chemo and the SFN pain started. Of course no PN showing but it did show mild issues with both wrists (carpal tunnel). I had pain in the wrists here and there but nothing major. I am losing the muscle in the fat pad below my right thumb that my Pain Dr noticed long ago and said I needed to have that taken care of. But with the SFN running rampant I never did anything about it.

I've been having trouble with my right wrist the last few months but this past month it's been off the chain pain and swelling. So I mentioned it to the nurse and PA. She asked when my last EGM/nerve study was done and said I really need a new one. Not too happy about that but the last one wasn't too bad so I'll go for it.

I sure did say a lot just to get to me having this test didn't I ? lol

Along with that she had read my recent CAT scans results that included my neck. She's very concerned about the results and wants me to see a neurosurgeon. That was a total SHOCK to me. I do not have any neck pain but she's afraid that something in my neck may be effecting my wrists and the pain I have from the elbows down.

The word neurosurgeon freaks me out since everything I went through with Bubba before losing him.
God knows I miss that man !

My test is scheduled for Tues, April 25th.

Between the 2 appointments I'm a little scared. I know it would be hard for me to ever agree to any surgery. Even on my wrist. The Pain Dr has advised me twice that they would work with whoever does any surgery on me to control my pain. Just scares the heck out of me.

Ok that's it.....feels good to let that out ! Thanks for listening

Debi from Georgia
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Old 04-16-2017, 09:05 AM #2
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Hi Debi.
As far as EMG/nerve study since they're not too bad comparing could be interesting. Of course it won't show SFN. Refresh my memory, did you ever have a punch biopsy?

As far as going to see a neurosurgeon, since their last name is "surgeon," that is what they are trained to do and usually what they recommend. I have to say not all, but most are very pro surgery. SO, with that in mind, I would bring someone with you who would keep you from signing up in the office that day for any surgery. Kinda like when you go to buy a car. The good thing would be you will have more data to consider and in my mind more data is not a bad thing.

I hope this helps.
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Originally Posted by St George 2013 View Post
Well here I go again.......I saw a new PA when I went to my pain doctor this past Monday. She's either gung ho for testing and referring or she's thorough.

Maybe it was good to see someone new in the office for another point of view. Who knows ?

I had the EMG and nerve study done back in 2013 after chemo and the SFN pain started. Of course no PN showing but it did show mild issues with both wrists (carpal tunnel). I had pain in the wrists here and there but nothing major. I am losing the muscle in the fat pad below my right thumb that my Pain Dr noticed long ago and said I needed to have that taken care of. But with the SFN running rampant I never did anything about it.

I've been having trouble with my right wrist the last few months but this past month it's been off the chain pain and swelling. So I mentioned it to the nurse and PA. She asked when my last EGM/nerve study was done and said I really need a new one. Not too happy about that but the last one wasn't too bad so I'll go for it.

I sure did say a lot just to get to me having this test didn't I ? lol

Along with that she had read my recent CAT scans results that included my neck. She's very concerned about the results and wants me to see a neurosurgeon. That was a total SHOCK to me. I do not have any neck pain but she's afraid that something in my neck may be effecting my wrists and the pain I have from the elbows down.

The word neurosurgeon freaks me out since everything I went through with Bubba before losing him.
God knows I miss that man !

My test is scheduled for Tues, April 25th.

Between the 2 appointments I'm a little scared. I know it would be hard for me to ever agree to any surgery. Even on my wrist. The Pain Dr has advised me twice that they would work with whoever does any surgery on me to control my pain. Just scares the heck out of me.

Ok that's it.....feels good to let that out ! Thanks for listening

Debi from Georgia
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Old 04-17-2017, 03:27 PM #3
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Hi Debi,

Those were good points by Pinkynose. I agree on having a serial comparison of your nerve conduction, especially with worsening symptoms. By all means get that MRI and see what the verdict is. I have personally known 3 people who had spinal surgery due to issues in their arms.

I always say that it never hurts to get information. You can decide later what to do with it.

I hope all goes well,
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Old 04-19-2017, 06:50 AM #4
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When I was in the process of getting a diagnosis for my neuropathy, I decided to go to a neurosurgeon at Weil Cornell. I couldn't move my neck and had very little use of my arms for 6 months. My autonomic nervous system was severely ill, and I had neuropathy through out my body. Since it all started in my neck, I thought maybe someone could fix it. I have herniations at c5-6-7, mild compression, some stenosis, so I made appointments with some big shots to see what they could do.

The first one looked at my MRI, and said that there was nothing he could do, and that my discs couldn't be responsible for so many of my symptoms and that they were not severe enough to fix.

The second opinion guy said the same thing and also told me not to let any surgeon touch my neck. He said that some would and this is not the answer.

So, I just want to let you know that I think as long as you stay away from those "spine center" businesses, go to a big city academic center doc and then go for a second opinion, you'd be safer. I think the doctors who know what they are doing are sure when they should operate vs the ones who just like to cut.
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Old 04-24-2017, 02:55 PM #5
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Debi,

I read your post a couple of days ago and I was shocked. I have not spent any time on here in ages and here you were describing my life. My SFN started after back surgery. It was mild and may or may not have ever progressed. I will never know because a year or so later I found myself drowning pain and sorrow that is unrelated into a bottle of booze. I put it down three years ago, but after I did severe damage.

This is where we are alike: hands, wrists elbows and neck. I have been told that I have very mile cubital and carpel tunnel. I have three damaged discs in my neck. Nothing is so bad that it would explain the pain. My neck just started bothering me a little, for years it was all arms, all the time. I have had two epidurals, and a nerve block. So far nothing has helped. They want me to see a surgeon too. My last test would be a discogram to really show what is going on in my neck. I have had countless tests, PT, etc. The pain management is confused, the neurologist is confused... I dont know what to think anymore. I have worn the braces everynight, tried every darn tall tale thing to get relief. Please stay posted, I would like to compare our results
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Old 04-25-2017, 02:03 AM #6
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Default Hey pinkynose

Hope you are doing well

I did have a skin punch biopsy in Sept/Oct 2013 and it came back severe small fiber neuropathy. I basically have no A or C fibers left in my feet.

As a side note the person that did my 1st EMG/Nerve Study was so smug that when my biopsy results came back I wanted to so mush it in his face !
So frustrating to be treated like that. I'm not expecting anything like that tomorrow. The test is being done by someone at my pain mgmt. dr's office.

I iced my right wrist and have been being very careful using it and it has calmed down some. Thank goodness....very painful.

Thanks for your message pinkynose !

Debi
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Old 04-25-2017, 02:19 AM #7
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Default Hey You !

So sorry you are in this icky place with the rest of us.

Did they confirm your mild cubital and carpel tunnel with an EGM/Nerve study ?
When I had the 1st study 4 years ago I was having problems with my wrists but it wasn't 24/7 just here and there explaining my mild results at that time.

I haven't heard from the neurosurgeons office yet. If I don't hear something by Wednesday I'm going to call....I want to get that visit over with

I wish they were able to explain your neck pain. Maybe the disc damage is worse that they can see ? I haven't read up much on it but guess I need too.

And I'll be more than happy to share the results with you.

Debi
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Old 04-25-2017, 02:24 AM #8
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Default Hello Littlepaw :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Littlepaw View Post
Hi Debi,

Those were good points by Pinkynose. I agree on having a serial comparison of your nerve conduction, especially with worsening symptoms. By all means get that MRI and see what the verdict is. I have personally known 3 people who had spinal surgery due to issues in their arms.

I always say that it never hurts to get information. You can decide later what to do with it.

I hope all goes well,
You are correct ! Get as much info as you can and then decide what is your best approach.

My last testing showed no large fiber neuropathy but I've read that SFN can later trigger large fiber so I'll be curious to see if I have any issues with that now plus the wrist issues.

Thanks and I'll keep you posted.

Debi
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Old 04-25-2017, 02:31 AM #9
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Default Hey there HG :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Healthgirl View Post
When I was in the process of getting a diagnosis for my neuropathy, I decided to go to a neurosurgeon at Weil Cornell. I couldn't move my neck and had very little use of my arms for 6 months. My autonomic nervous system was severely ill, and I had neuropathy through out my body. Since it all started in my neck, I thought maybe someone could fix it. I have herniations at c5-6-7, mild compression, some stenosis, so I made appointments with some big shots to see what they could do.

The first one looked at my MRI, and said that there was nothing he could do, and that my discs couldn't be responsible for so many of my symptoms and that they were not severe enough to fix.

The second opinion guy said the same thing and also told me not to let any surgeon touch my neck. He said that some would and this is not the answer.

So, I just want to let you know that I think as long as you stay away from those "spine center" businesses, go to a big city academic center doc and then go for a second opinion, you'd be safer. I think the doctors who know what they are doing are sure when they should operate vs the ones who just like to cut.
I totally agree with 2nd opinions ! And more if needed

I don't live very far from Atlanta so there are many options there....Emory and Piedmont are both there.

No cutting on the neck unless absolutely necessary and maybe not then. lol

Thanks,

Debi
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Old 05-04-2017, 10:43 AM #10
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Default EGM/Nerve Conduction Results

Hey my friends.

Well I had the same doctor I had 4 years ago to conduct the study. I'm guessing they contract and travel and I was not happy to see him. He's smart but also a smarta** !

The results state the right wrist has progressively worsened and the left wrist is still mild.

I am concerned with the fact that the swelling I have on the outside of that wrist has nothing to do with carpal tunnel per him. Hmmmm

No large fiber neuropathy ! Yeah ! Other than some deep aching pain I've never had trouble with my legs.

He did tell me he has just been to a conference on Small Fiber Neuropathy. He said that with my dx of Severe SFN and basically no A or C Fibers that my nerves may never recover. He said they had some studies that showed improvement when people exercised vigorously for a year but it was pretty much hit and miss.

That's that. He did say I needed to get carpal tunnel surgery before too much longer or my muscles will not recover. I'm thinking that will be a fall project !

I see the neurosurgeon on May 25th. Just want to make sure nothing in my neck is causing my arm and hand problems before doing carpal surgery.

My daughter says carpal tunnel can affect your whole arm but I haven't looked that up. When I use it took much the pain crawls up to my elbow and then to my shoulder. Sucks

Take care everyone,

Debi
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