IVIG and EMG testing
 

Does anybody know if IVIG can affect the results of EMG testing? My next IVIG treatments are supposed to be next week, on 9/6 and 9/7. My EMG testing was just moved forward. The EMG testing is supposed to be the next day, on 9/8. I wonder if it is a good idea to have the IVIG treatments then. Delaying them isn't good either, but I don't want anything to change the results of the EMG tests. I know I have to withhold the Mestinon.

Thank you to anyone who has any information,
Erin

That's a pretty bad conundrum! Hmm, do I take drugs to avoid becoming worse or do I not take them just to have a solid diagnosis?

Yes, IVIG can interfere with EMG or SFEMG results. Which one are you having?

Any treatment that reduces the antibody process, and improves the disease, can make an EMG look normal. However, some people still have a positive one even while on immunosuppressants.

Erin, it all depends on how you are doing, which hasn't been great lately, right? If you can put IVIG off until the day after the test, then maybe you could try that. I'm not at all saying what you should do!!! And ask your doctor about it as well.

I really hope everything goes well.

:hug:
Annie

They are doing SFEMG next week, sorry. I did ask the doctors about this, but it seems to me that the IVIG would affect the test. They are telling me that it would not, and to go ahead with the treatments. I would rather postpone the treatments until after the test. It's awkward. No, I'm not doing well, but I think it's really important to do the best we can to get a good reading from the SFEMG test. This might be our last try if they say I really need to go on immunosuppressants; my understanding is that would make it hard to get SFEMG results from this point forward.

What to do, what to do. I will try to call the Infusion Center, and see if they will allow me to reschedule the treatments. It may not be that easy, but I can certainly try.

Thanks so much, Annie. :hug:

Take care,
Erin

I moved the IVIG treatments to the following week, so hopefully that was a good decision. We'll see how it goes.

Take care,
Erin

I hope that you'll be okay.

Annie