EMG Results ..Anyone??

[jibjen]

Good Moning,

I wanted to ask everyone if they have had experiences  or know  a little bit about what EMG's are used for and what a normal result means or rules out. I know basically they test for nerve damage... The way I was explained is that my EMG is normal..The chiro explained to me that that is good and  there is no nerve entrapment SOOOOOOOOO why am i experiencing parethesia..I have no nerve entrapment apparently that would cause it and my MRI stated although i have a slight protrusion in lumbar spine it was a negative MRI..I have no back pain with this...

My question is what does an EMG rule out??

I called my chiro yesterday as the pain in my legs was unbearable this past week....I could barely stand on my own 2 feet as they were painful and burning......I asked him if it was something he thought an adjustment would help..he said to come in and talk...He explained the EMG that neuro did in October last year...He adjusted me but can not say I have any releif..I'm not getting worse but not much better....NOW...the heat has been wicked here and I am wondering if that contributed...It is alot drier nd less humid yesterday and today so as o yesterday I was still in pain but not as severe as during the heatwave we had...Is this a coincidence?

I had a tough time sleeping as my legs are sore and continue to burn.....like a bad sunburn on my legs and overall weakness....

So Any thoughts you can add???? i see neuro next week, although he was at my chiro when i came out yesterday..apparently they work together on cases which is how I ended up there...

Thanks Jibs

[jibjen]

Hello and how are you. Thanks so much for your response! i only had an EMG on legs at time..he never did my arms which I do not know why as they were tingling and numb on left side..hmmmm

I can not rememer how deep it felt..I know he zapped me in the left and my right side went flying which I thought was sorta weird...

Thanks for your input

Jibs

[wonko]

It is my understanding that the EMG can rule out nerve damage, but it can not rule out central nervous system etiologies.  For example, a negative EMG does not rule out MS, which is a disease of the CNS.

Also, not all dr's perform EMG tests the same way or test all places.  I had one doctor test only my hands (he was thinking I had carpal tunnel) and he did not place the needle used for the test very deep.  I had another dr. perform an EMG test on me, he tested all my limbs and up my legs to my lower back, and it sure felt like he inserted the needle deeper.

It is also my understanding that the EMG is not terribly sensitive.  There is a separate test, called something like a "skin punch biopsy," that can be used to test for small fiber neuropathy.  Only a few doctors are up to speed on that, I believe Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is where they are the most cutting-edge in testing for small fiber.

[jibjen]

Thanks,

I appreciate your input....It's so frustrating to  have normal tests and still feelcrappy.

Jibs

[theasian]

i had an emg done last year. my neuro said it can rule out nerve damage and also muscle damage, my test was also normal. it can be used to rule out a whole host of diseases, mostly neuropathies and myopathies.
you should make a journal about the weather changes and how it affects you, your neuro might be able to make some sense out of it.
sorry i can't be of more help
take care