Is it possible to have ALS with normal EMG?

[rrockind]

Hi there,

I posted this question about a month ago.  Would anyone happen to know the answer?  Thank you for all your help?

My husband has symptoms that appear to indicate that he might have ALS.  He has cramps and twitches all over his body.  He's been getting weaker every day and just lost sensation in one of his feet. He also started chocking and has trouble swallowing.   Initially his neurologist suspected ALS, but all his tests, blood work, MRI, and EMG came back normal.  His symptoms started about 3-4 months ago and have been progressing rather quickly.  His initial symptoms were twitches.  He had an EMG two days ago and it came back normal.  His neurologist told him not to worry and come back in 6 months. Is it possible to have ALS and still have normal EMG?  And if it's not ALS, what else could it be?

[ewford]

It could very well be A Mycoplasmas and /or Lymes infection, since it is KNOWN that these bacteria cause these symptoms.

[Bodylove222]

Hi I am having all of those symptoms plus now a mild dementia is setting in? could that be apart of this disease of infections? Thanks for any help.

[dib1968]

diovan and other similar medications devolope weakness of muscles check the sides effects of the medications hes on

[ewford]

A 24 hour ECG test will see a T wave problem in the left ventrical where your heart skips beats.  You might have been diaged with tacchycardia or Mitral Valve prolapse.   Just my educated opinion, but I am not a Dr.  I suggest further esting and this might be one to consider.

[colls22]

Hi,

This comment/question is in relation to one of the comments posted here, by Dr. Santos. when you say that a person with ALS could have a normal EMG before becoming symptomatic, that seems to contradict what I've been told over and over. What I've been told is quite the opposite - that EMG testing is so senstive, it is able to pick up denervation and other minor changes PRIOR to a person being symptomatic. Isn't that the nature of the test?

Now, perhaps this is simply a misunderstanding in what you mean by "normal" EMG. I know that it is possible to have an EMG that qualifies as being within the boundaries of "normal", but still shows some sort of minor issues, and thus the patient is usually asked to come back for a repeat test a few months later. However, if an EMG comes back not just as normal but as completely clean (ie. no fibs, no fascs, no +waves, etc.), is it still possible for the person to actually have ALS at the time of testing?

Thanks so much.

[ewford]

sorry, i cut and pasted this by accident, but your husbands symptoms are exactly like mine.  I found out I have Lymes w/coinfections and a Mycoplama infection .

[ewford]

I think you have a chronic intracellular bacterial infection.  Sleep disorders, hyperventilating, achiness, joint and muscle pain, fasticulations, feeling of a UTI infection,  NO STANDARD MEDICAL DOCTOR IS GONNA FIGURE THIS OUT< NOT EVEN AN INFECTIOUS /NEUROLOGIST.  I think it's either Lymes or Mycoplasa infection . mycoplasmas are as small as viruses and lack a cell wall, so they invade your cells and replicate.  Do you feel kinda OK for a few days, then feel like total CRAP on another?  You need to seriously consider my opinion.  The Dr above is a standard practitioner, he will never understand this since Lymes is denied as chronic and you will be labeled a hypochondriac.  He also was not taught about Mycoplasmas in med school.( or at least infectious mycoplasmas)

Lyme disease is a VERY complicated disease as it has coinfecions of Bartonella, Babesia, Human Granuloma Ehrlichia and Mycoplasmas.  If you have pain in your ankles, feet, chronic headaches, It is usually a Bartonella sign.  Babesia causes air hunger, retching (feeling of throwing up), headaches, flu like symptoms, it also causes the red blood cells to swell up so they cannot pass through the capillaries in your brain, hands, feet and skin.  Borrelia Burgdeferi (Lymes bacteria) causes all sorts of symptoms such as headaches, facial ticks, muscle fasticulations, irritable bowell, CFS, symptoms of MS, ALS, Lupus, Hashimotos, Graves, etc.

  I would seriously check out   IMMED    www (dot) immed (dot) org  and look at Autoimmune illness or fatigueing illnesses.

  Does your throat hurt, neck stiffness, cracking in neck, sensativaties to light, sound, irratability, bouts of crying, endometriosis or hysterectomy because of cysts, muscle and joint pain that travels from day to day?

  Contact ILADS and find a doctor near you that treats chronic bacterial infections.  What happens is the Mycoplasma or Borrelia suppress your immune system, all latent viruses re-emerge ( HSV1&2, HHV 5, 6, cytomegalo virus, Enteroviruses, etc) and you become chronically ill.  The T4 helper cells are dissabled and stop looking for cancerous tissue, the macrophages stop working causing the immune system to stop "cleaning up" fungal infections so you now have a chronic intracellular bacterial infection, viral infections AND out of control fungal infections.

  Dr Garth Nicolson on the Autoimmune Expert page would be your best bet to get cured.  Pay the $ to get an answer from him.  It is worth it.  He is truly THE expert (Nobel Prize nominee, absolutely brilliant Cellular Patholigist. .

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? It is possible for a person with ALS to have a normal EMG before they become symptomatic. If your husband's symptoms persist, it is best that you have this checked by a doctor for proper diagnosis.  You can also try to seek another doctor for a second opinion. Take care and do keep us posted.

[james2012]

Try anxiety. I recommend getting Psychiatric Help. Pills can do wonders