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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Electromygraphy Test and Antibody test, % of positve in Test
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Re: Electromygraphy Test and Antibody test, % of positve in Test
by CCF neurology MD MM, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF Neuro MD MM on October 23, 1998 at 15:23:26:
In Reply to: Electromygraphy Test and Antibody test, % of positve in Test posted by Sharon T. on October 23, 1998 at 14:17:11:
I have all of the classic symptoms of MG and have had 9 pstosis surgeries.
I was at the MDA for testing and still have to have the anitbody test and
biopsy done this month. I was wondering which test I had. After coming home and reading the two different tests for MG I am not sure which one I had. It was normal but they are doing other tests for MG. The test I had consisted of 5 repetative jolts in a row and numerous times, done on my ulnar nerve and again in my shoulder. I was told that the test only ment I was normal for yesterday so it could be different if done at another time. Is that true, and was this the RNS test or the SFEMG? What does a lab biopsy test show, and I also read that antigen may not be present in someone even if they have MG?
I was told that the tenisilon test would not be an indicator of MG on me because I have already had corrective surgery. The own neuro I am seeing in November, not connected to the MDA has me scheduled for only the tenisilon test. Even though we know I may not show visual results for the technician to see, will I personally feel the improvement on my muscles if I still have this test done? Could it help me feel improvement in my own muscle strength to justify having this test for my own self reasurance? If I do feel improvement is that an indicator the mestinon may help me feel better and allow me to regain some of my strength back?
Thank you for this wonderful forum.
Sharon Turner
46, female, 92 Graves disease, Bhlephartitis upper lid retraction surgery,
followed by 9 pstosis surgeries, FMS dx May 98. Rheumy and Opthal suspect MG and FMS possible secondary to MG.
=
The test you had sounds like the repetetive nerve stimulation test.
SFEMG is single fiber EMG, done with a needle inserted into a muscle with recording of electrical potentials from the muscle, you would remember if you had this one !!
Since myasthenia can wax and wane especially from the morning to later in the day the test can be normal in someone with MG.
In other words an abnormal test clinches the diagnosis but a normal one does not rule it out.
The antibody tests CAN be negative in someone with MG, but only in a small minority, less than 10%.
A biopsy is used to outrule outer causes of muscle weakness since changes in the muscle itself are usually minor or absent in MG.
Because of your multiple eye surgeries the relief of ptosis which is the main sign looked for during a tensilon test may not be obvious, it would however be useful if another parameter was seen to improvefor during the test, for instance the ability to hold your hands above your head.
A good response to the tensilon test is a predictor of a good response to Mestinon therapy.
In Reply to: Electromygraphy Test and Antibody test, % of positve in Test posted by Sharon T. on October 23, 1998 at 14:17:11:
I have all of the classic symptoms of MG and have had 9 pstosis surgeries.
I was at the MDA for testing and still have to have the anitbody test and
biopsy done this month. I was wondering which test I had. After coming home and reading the two different tests for MG I am not sure which one I had. It was normal but they are doing other tests for MG. The test I had consisted of 5 repetative jolts in a row and numerous times, done on my ulnar nerve and again in my shoulder. I was told that the test only ment I was normal for yesterday so it could be different if done at another time. Is that true, and was this the RNS test or the SFEMG? What does a lab biopsy test show, and I also read that antigen may not be present in someone even if they have MG?
I was told that the tenisilon test would not be an indicator of MG on me because I have already had corrective surgery. The own neuro I am seeing in November, not connected to the MDA has me scheduled for only the tenisilon test. Even though we know I may not show visual results for the technician to see, will I personally feel the improvement on my muscles if I still have this test done? Could it help me feel improvement in my own muscle strength to justify having this test for my own self reasurance? If I do feel improvement is that an indicator the mestinon may help me feel better and allow me to regain some of my strength back?
Thank you for this wonderful forum.
Sharon Turner
46, female, 92 Graves disease, Bhlephartitis upper lid retraction surgery,
followed by 9 pstosis surgeries, FMS dx May 98. Rheumy and Opthal suspect MG and FMS possible secondary to MG.
=
The test you had sounds like the repetetive nerve stimulation test.
SFEMG is single fiber EMG, done with a needle inserted into a muscle with recording of electrical potentials from the muscle, you would remember if you had this one !!
Since myasthenia can wax and wane especially from the morning to later in the day the test can be normal in someone with MG.
In other words an abnormal test clinches the diagnosis but a normal one does not rule it out.
The antibody tests CAN be negative in someone with MG, but only in a small minority, less than 10%.
A biopsy is used to outrule outer causes of muscle weakness since changes in the muscle itself are usually minor or absent in MG.
Because of your multiple eye surgeries the relief of ptosis which is the main sign looked for during a tensilon test may not be obvious, it would however be useful if another parameter was seen to improvefor during the test, for instance the ability to hold your hands above your head.
A good response to the tensilon test is a predictor of a good response to Mestinon therapy.
