posted
hi. I'm new here. I've been having a host of neurological (and other) symptoms for 3 years, cause of which unknown. I have some severe muscle weakness that fluctuates. Dr. did an extensive emg yesterday and was shocked that it came up totally clean. I am waiting on blood test results for Lyme (we used to have deer in our yard).
Question for those who have muscle weakness caused by Lyme , could it cause muscle weakness that doesn't pick up on an emg? (by the way I'm walking, the doctor would have been less surprised to find ALS than to find nothing!)
thanks
[ 12. June 2006, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: am36 ]
Posts: 169 | From former Philadelphian | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
From what I have heard, emg and other nerve tests on people with lyme sometimes come up abnormal, other times normal (different people). So, apparently it is not much good for diagnosis or for documenting the damage.
I am in the middle of getting this testing, not sure what the results are yet. But I don't personally see the usefulness of it. There is a blood test too, that is given to people with muscle wasting. I have muscle wasting, and mine was normal. Getting pretty disillusioned with testing in general.
Since some people with lyme have had this testing, been told they had ALS, but then responded to lyme treatment, it can't be much good at diagnosing.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
THE EMG test in my humble opinion does'nt diagnos squat!
I have had to undergo two such exams...
One to see if the incorrect diagnosis of post polio syndrome was accurate and the second after my lyme diagnosis for perypheral neuropathy which I have SYMPTOMS of...
This disease does'nt dammage our nerves to the extent the EMG was designed to detect...
This disease interrupts the signals our brains transmit to our central nervous system and gives us numbness and pain which mimick other diseases that cause the nerve symptoms.
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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Just saw a great Lyme Neurologist who basically said the EMG's are useless as diagnostic tools for Lyme. So don't be surprised if it comes up clean. Lyme is far too complex for an EMG.
Posts: 298 | From los angeles | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
thanks No, the emg is not a fun test. I have to wait on the blood test a little because I've been on prednisone to treat what they originally thought this was. Weaning off now. In the meantime having severe muscle difficulty including breathing and swallowing, autonomic dysfunction causing heart related things etc etc. Not in a very good place, and all I could do now is wait. No one thought to check for Lyme because I now live overseas where it doesn't exist.
Posts: 169 | From former Philadelphian | Registered: Jun 2006
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
Where overseas...coz Lyme has been found in MANY other places other than US/Can.
EMG tests are the pits and are very painful.
Mine was mostly neg but did show some damage to nerve roots of which there was NO CAUSE except lyme.
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
The blood needs to be clean of antibiotics for 6 weeks to get good results on a lyme test.My Doc told me this and later also read this in a lyme disease book.Do not know if this would have applyed to you or not just thought you might like to know.
-------------------- Trina Posts: 64 | From Mo. | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Trina, I beleive the ABX ? is not yet been answered. I've heard both sides Off ABX or use it for 2 weeks before the test. Not sure what is right
Posts: 355 | From NY | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I had a couple of these tests done early on in my disease. Both were "normal". One was done normally, the other done under a heated blanket as heat effects the nerves. I do have peripheral neuropathy also.
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