EMG tomorrow-anything effect it
 

I have my sixth EMG tomorrow. They always showed something wrong. My question would be if I took a darvoset today or sleeping pill tonight is there anyway that would effect the results?

billy,

sorry this is too late to help you with the decision about the sleeping pill - I hope you took it if you needed it! I've always been told to take my meds normally in advance of EMGs, and I'm pretty sure that would extend to the sleeping pill - the darvoset I'm positive about. So take any meds you normally would, or if you take pain med as needed, take one if you need it, ok? In fact, I would recommend taking something for pain beforehand (and maybe something for anxiety), if EMGs cause your pain to flare afterwards like they do me.

Although meds can alter our blood pressure and pulse rate, evidently they do not change nerve conduction velocity - or not enough to matter. I've been through ten EMGs since I was injured in 2003, the latest ones for my left arm and my legs. I had ulnar nerve slowing at the elbow, which the neurologist insits on dxing as cubital tunnel neuropathy, despite all the pain and sx in the shoulder and a dx of TOS (severe) from Dr Togut. And he's a well-respected neurologist - he just hasn't seen enough cases of this to recognize it and feel comfortable dx'ing and decide on a plan of treatment and referral. So he falls back on what he is familiar with, and what the evidence shows, even though it isn't a full explanation for my symptoms.

This is why so MANY TOSers end up with failed carpal and/or cubital tunnel surgeries and still facing a TOS surgery. If the compression is at the brachial plexus, surgery further down to rease the nerve cannot take care of the problem. Once the nerve compression above is relieved, and given time to heal, then you will be able to tell if surgery at the elbow or wrist is even needed - much of the time the problems in those areas resolve once the nerve has been given more freedom of movement above.

Why do they keep repeating the EMGs? Are they all on the same limb? It might be worth it to travel to a University-related hospital and get one done and read by well-trained Dr. and tech staff if the re-dos are because of errors or omissions that have been made - no excuse for more than one redo on their part to my thinking!

best wishes for tomorrow,
beth :)

[QUOTE=beth;195105]billy,

I have a good Doctor now who diagnosed tos. The first doctor I had did 3 cts surgeries and only did partial emgs. Before and after each surgery I would say I still had problems and he ordered emgs trying to prove me wrong. Every time something showed up. Unfortunetly, I let this go on for 2 years before I switched to doctor who did full emg and found out about tos, ulnar, radial, median, and cts. This emg is just because its been a year and to see if I worsened(I think it is) plus because its w/c to update for them.

Please keep us posted, as we do care how you progress with your treatment plan and we're here to keep you motivated to keep trying something new or different to help your quality of life.

God bless.

The emg dr. said carpal tunnel is the same and looks like its permanent. Ulnar and brachial plexus have worsened. Waiting for official results

So it sounds like the nerve compressions are coming from a high source along the arm, and that there is some repetitive movement (from work I'm assuming) that is permanently damaging your arm(s). Have you sought free consultations from a work comp attorney about how this will affect you in the rest of your like and career and what steps you need to take to protect your future and your family's future?

The attorney needs to be an expert in filing work comp cases - not a dabbler - and also used to handling upper extremity injuries caused by repetitive damage movements. In CA, a couple of years ago law changes, so one must be up on the new law also. This should all be free of charge upfront.

Good luck.

P.S. Just an observation, but why doesn't anyone say "hey, thanks" anymore? The thanks button is a help, but even then, sometimes, people just don't hit it.

Yes, I have an attorney and its already approved for cts and brachial plexus. A descion on whether I pursue disability retirement in the near future has to be made. Also see pain management dr. for injections and take darvoset for flareups. Arm is almost frozen-can't raise aboue my head.

God Bless and thanks for help

Tomorrow I have to go back to vocab rehab counselor. They can never let you be. I'll see what she has to say because I know I have to go. It just gives me such a negative feeling.

Have courage.

Only answer shortly what they ask you, do not elaborate.

Do be angry, sad, etc. Strangely, lack of emotion seems to work best (for them of course) and they rate it higher than someone who comes in and cries the entire time. (Not that you would.)

Don't worry about a "wrong" answer, just answer truthfully, (again be short, brief), and your attorney can handle everything later on.

BEST OF LUCK BILLY

Billy, how did it go with your VR counselor? i might be diff as i never filed WC but i liked going to see the state voc rehab counselor. she would tell me to do research to think about possible careers while i couldn't pursue anything at the time. She cancelled my case, telling me to return when I was more able, and I look forward to the day when I can. My optimism of possible work in the future is some thing that keeps me going.

I'm glad you posted about your EMG. i am headed for an EMG myself w/a neurologist i don't respect. He doesn't know much about TOS. I've had mine for years now and been diax by the best doctors but this guy belittled all of them and their tests saying only an EMG can diax TOS. Anyway, I've only had one EMG before and that was yrs ago to diax my cervical problem prior to neck surgery. I am wondering if there is anything specific I should ask for?? I did learn Dr Annest's protocol for testing. Will an EMG tell the difference between TOS vs other problems like CTS??

I had partial emg's from first dr. and only detected carpal tunnel. He never checked further up the arm. Full emgs include shoulder and brachial area plus put wrist and arm in other positions and can detect brachial plexus problems.

My EMG is coming up and I am wondering if I should ask for anything specific and what that would be. I know the neuro is not very experienced w/TOS and suspects I have other things. Are there specific tests that would show us both what exactly is going on? I would like the EMG to be throrough enough that I won't have to go back again. As I recall it's kind of painful.

thx for any suggestions,
fern

They must do the emg for the whole arm. This includes the brachial area and up on the shoulder. It also helps when they move the arm into other positions like straight to one side or across your chest while testing to get readings while its under stress. Definetly need to include elbow area also.

thanks billy.

i am wondering how specifically to ask for what i need.
am i asking for an EMG of the whole arm including the shoulder, the BP, and the elbow?

also i don't want to offend the doctor but want to get what i need. i know that since youve had many EMGs you might have a suggestion.

Definetly needs to do it in the shoulder/ brachial plexus area. Also across the elbow top and bottom. Mine made sure he used different positions. Arm stretched straight out and bent across the front of me while taking measurements and readings. Must do near the plexus area though. Bad EMG's I had just included the wrist and elbow. That is not good enough.

The nerve conduction study that Dr Sanders sends you for is called a medial antebrachial cutaneous or conduction something...not sure of the exact title...MAC test for short.

it went all the way up to the neck...very uncomfortable. I cried through most of it.

send me your email by PM i can send you a copy of the report if you like..you can take it with you.

Fern,

Let me know how it goes. I brought pain pill with me to take on way home from soreness.

The doctor who did mine told me the results as he did it. I loved that. I hope yours does that too.

How did EMG go? I was wondering about it.

Well I had my EMG. I was concerned about having it out of state but I'll see if it's useful to the CO doctor. I had to put up a fight to get what he wanted and the techs had to look up in a book how to do it. One said she'd been doings these for 20yrs and never heard of these particular tests for TOS. And then the doctor did the needle tests but she said she couldn't do my paraspinals as I've had prior neck surgery. Also she couldn't find my paraspinal muscles as I've been in pain for so long and haven't been able to use them. They didn't bend my arm more than a little bit and there was no other repositioning of the arm. I don't think I had any needles around my shoulder/neck area but I was working on breathing to stay calm so maybe I just don't recall.

the test may be quite different from what billy had or even jokat's order fr. Dr Sanders. I had my venogram repeated again last week and I hope that's enough to make my decisions regarding surgery.

Fern,
When do you get results? I was fortunate and they told me results while doing test. Then mailed me full report. Most of brachial/shoulder area was done with sensors not needles on my EMG.

I hope your feeling okay.

billy
 

thank U billy. i am feeling ok; i think because i went home and took a muscle relaxer and slept for umpteen hours. i don't think they did much of the bp but the results will show. there were so many tests in the hands and the forearms. i was there for 2 hrs and most of it was the test. they will send the results to me i think right away. then i put everything together and see what the surgeon says. will let you know.

billy, what did your surgeon tell you about your results?

Currently, I get injections, meds when needed. Have tems unit and taught self-hypnosis. My range of motion is bad and probably never get back to normal.