Question about EMG results

[mary_kay]

My EMG (both "zapper" test and "needlle" test) revealed nerve damage in my legs and feet, but no nerve damage in my arms/hands..so the neuro wants to do a brain MRI.  The cervical MRI report said my problems were not likely caused by bulging disks or stenosis.  How can a brain MRI show a cause for my hand numbness if the nerve root is in the cervical area?
BTW..glad to be off statin drug, but the only symptom that has improved (by about half) is the fatigue so far. Checking my blood sugar, and it is close to normal because I am being very careful about what I eat, and am trying to take off some weight.
Blessings,
Mary Kay

[Heather3418]

After all those years of being a diabetic, no one told me about this "rebound" effect.  Most interesting.  Mary Kay I am with you, it IS a catch 22 situation.  Quix just taught me something I NEVER knew about.  

Heather

[mary_kay]

Wow! That is interesting...thank you for the info.  I have made a concerted effort to NOT eat anything after dinnertime (usually around 7ish) because it is a big factor in my effort to lose weight.  Kind of a catch-22, isn't it?

[Quixotic1]

One of the reasons for a high am fasting glucose is morning rebound.  It tends to occur in the earlier diabetics and in prediabetics.  If the insulin resistance is not complete, a person may dip low at night and not notice because they are asleep.  The low blood sugar causes an outpouring of hormones (like adrenaline) to pump the glucose back up and that is seen as an elevated BS in the morning when they awaken.  You might want to discuss this with your nutritionist.  You may need a small meal of protein late at night to prevent the pinp-pong effect of going too low and rebounding with a high sugar.

Quix

[Heather3418]

Your fasting blood sugars should be around 80-90 ideally.  If you morning readings are 140 to 160 you already ARE considered a diabetic.  Have you ever had what they call an A1C test?  This tests your blood sugar levels over the last 90 days.  They can tell this just from the blood.  If you have not had one of these I highly suggest it.

I am so glad that you are feeling a little better since you stopped the statins.  That is such good news.  If you are like me, just grabbing any time of feeling somewhat better, I am all for it.  I grab what I can, when I can.

As far as the exercise, do a little here, a little there and step it up gradually, without over doing and especially be careful of those hot and humid days.  When you do ANY exercise outside, carry water with you.  I also keep a wet cloth in a zip lock bag that has one of those "cold packs" in it.  I use the "Cold Packs" that come with my Copaxone delivery.  I have passed those handy little ice packets out to many of my friends that find their flat size, very ideal for their summer coolers and camping equipment.  They are invaluable.

Please praivate message me and tell me all about this "core" plan that you are on.  I want to hear more.  

Big Hugs and keep up the great work.
Heather

[mary_kay]

Fasting, it is usually 140 - 160 or so.  I think when I had my GTT I started out at 140-something, and after 2 hours it was 158.  I think I have a shot at avoiding Diabetes if I can just keep up the way I am eating...basically low-glycemic (Core plan) and no eating after 7PM. The hardest thing is getting up and moving!  My fatigue is some better since I stopped the statin drug, so I am trying to at least go outside and weed the garden, etc. True exercise is my biggest mountain to climb.  Wierd, since I loved to lift weights in my late thirties. Ohhhhh, jeez,,,that was a long time ago....
Thanks for the heads up about eating pizza!  LOL..I love the stuff.  Trying to figure out how to make one with Core foods...
Hugs,
Mary Kay

[Heather3418]

My blood sugar readings seem to always run high in the morning.  They have ever since I started testing my glucose level 14 years ago.  An hour after eating a bowl of cereal in the morning, it is around 120.

Your test results after breakfast, I believe, are not bad at all.  What are your morning readings BEFORE breakfast?  When I checked into the hospital the other morning for hand surgery, after fasting since mid-night, I about fell off my chair, when the nurse said it was 203.  Of course the night before surgery, I had my first pizza in over a year, with Sherbert for dessert.  The pizza was loaded with 4 different cheeses, so I know where that reading came from.   Too many carbs....

Heather

[mary_kay]

thanks for the suggestions.  I think the test included my elbow, because she put the zapper close to my armpit (yikes!) but not my shoulder.  (sigh)  I don't know...what to do except try to be more patient, I guess.
As far as the weight, I will have a long way to go.  I probably need to lose at least 50 pounds to get complete control of my blood sugar, but that's OK because this is a lifestyle change, not a diet.  Right now my testing (2-3 hours after breakfast) is 110-130. Why is it higher in the AM when I first get up and haven't eaten since dinner the night before?
MK

[Heather3418]

This is only MYopinion.  You would need an MRI of the entire spine to see if there are any problems there.  Not just the cervical spine.  Your damage, if there is some, can be in the thoracic area of your spine or even lower.  

I love the way you describe the EMG.  That's exactly what it should be called.  The "damage" in your arms and hands may be coming from trapped nerves or compression in the shoulder, elbow or hand itself.  Have those areas been tested?

That would be my suggestion.  Check for nerve damage from the shoulder down through an EMG or a complete MRI of the entire spine.

Good luck with that weight loss.  My weight loss resulted in me coming off all diabetes medications, including insulin.  Its amazing that my sugar is now controlled by diet alone after so many years on insulin and diabetes pills.  It can be done.

Best Wishes,
Heather