electromyography
Still trying to get diagnosed. Doctor says the blood work CPK, etc all normal = perhaps a little low. Now, I have to wait until May 30th to see a neurologist and then have a EMG. Did anyone have normal blood work and not a normal EMG. How did you folks like the EMG test? Doesnt sound nice to me.
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Re: electromyography
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I have never had an elevated cpk. My EMG was normal and my muscle biopsy was inconclusive. I was diagnosed with a skin biopsy of the rash in my scalp. My rash preceeded the muscle weakness by about a year and a half. The EMG and muscle biopsy were done before I had any muscle weakness, and I was on 20 mgs of prednisone a day and 17.5 mgs a week of methotrexate. Anyway, there are people that have DM that never have an elevated cpk, I don't know if that applies to PM or not. I'm one of them. Makes me harder to treat because they are always looking for other causes for my symptoms. The emg was uncomfortable but not intolerable. The muscle biopsy was not fun. It took three months for mine to completely heal up. The mtx was partially to blame for that. I wish you the best of luck. Frankie
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Re: electromyography
The needles for the emg hurt on certain places.. but i don't want to scare you.. I always had a positive something or other at the time, but wait for the emg.. Actually the biopsie is more helpful, if you are not on medication.. My rhemy treats the blood work (even if normal) and the symptoms as if it were something wrong.. So I could have a normal reading and can't do a thing... But i was positive on many many occassions, not quite as high as some here but high enough, all the best on your test hugs karen
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Re: electromyography
Hi Alice, my first EMG was ghastly, but the second one was a piece of cake. I had the muscle biopsy under GA and they removed a large slice of my rump steak. Sore for a while after. My CK's are never very high, got up to just under 1000, but now hover around the 400 mark and I know I am not a well girl. Tried to get off the prednisone, butI know now that 10mgs is my maintainance dose. Hang in there , and while things may not get completely better they will improve. Good luck. Mary
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Re: electromyography
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Alice, the only thing I would recommend is to bring someone with you who can drive you home. It is not that traumatic, but it is un-nerving. Slight electrical impulses make your muscles move involuntarily and they check the speed which your nerves and muscles react, I think. Ive been through two of them, and I would do it again if I HAD to. The biopsy was the killer for me. I didnt know what to expect and it was uncomfortable for me. Plus, I couldnt help watch in the mirror that surrounded the operating room light. Ewwww. Good luck, and let us know how it went! Dave
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Hi Alice: I've had 3 EMG's in the past 10 years and yes they're a bit uncomfortable, but sometimes we have to do the uncomfortable tests in order for the drs. to be able to make a diagnosis. My cpk was always normal, just my sedimentation rate was high, but that's normal too, now.Good luck to you when you have your EMG and keep telling yourself that it could be worse. Take care and the best of luck to you.
Helen.
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Re: Re: electromyography
Yes, Helen i have had about 3 also. I think he might schedule another one soon.. I have had a lot of normal readings, and readings, never beyond 1000. I know i am still positive too. But i don't know the figures yet from the last visit... Like Helen has said, there are things that are a lot worse than the emg... hugs Karen
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Hi Alice, I've said before but I was so ill by the time of my EMG I would have stuck the needles in myself.The person giving it to you can make all the difference but it is a relieve to feel like you're getting answers finally. My CPK was never extremely high but I was very ill. Best of luck. Jan
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