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Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Hey Everyone,
I wanted to come back and give everyone an update on my health situation. Some of you may remember by very long thread a while back that started about lymph nodes and ended up on ALS a full year later. A brief recap, my symptoms were / are:
- Muscle pain in various muscles throughout body, but primarily in my right shin.
- A feeling of muscle fatigue where my muscles wear out more easily.
- Twitching in various places. Sometimes focused in one place for a week at a time or more.
This has been going on about 7 weeks. I went to PCP which sent me to Rheumatologist, which referred me to Neurologist for an NCV + EMG test in order to rule out any nerve problems.
Today I had the NCV + EMG and both were totally normal. The neurologist said I do not have anything like ALS and ALS is very obvious on an EMG.
I just wanted to provide that follow-up because I know I appreciate when someone has similar symptoms as me and posts an update that everything turned out fine. I don't know where I'll be going from here as I think the Rheumatologist may still want to pursue some other things - but, ALS, which was my main fear, is apparently out of the question based on the EMG results.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
Hey Everyone,
I wanted to come back and give everyone an update on my health situation. Some of you may remember by very long thread a while back that started about lymph nodes and ended up on ALS a full year later. A brief recap, my symptoms were / are:
- Muscle pain in various muscles throughout body, but primarily in my right shin.
- A feeling of muscle fatigue where my muscles wear out more easily.
- Twitching in various places. Sometimes focused in one place for a week at a time or more.
This has been going on about 7 weeks. I went to PCP which sent me to Rheumatologist, which referred me to Neurologist for an NCV + EMG test in order to rule out any nerve problems.
Today I had the NCV + EMG and both were totally normal. The neurologist said I do not have anything like ALS and ALS is very obvious on an EMG.
I just wanted to provide that follow-up because I know I appreciate when someone has similar symptoms as me and posts an update that everything turned out fine. I don't know where I'll be going from here as I think the Rheumatologist may still want to pursue some other things - but, ALS, which was my main fear, is apparently out of the question based on the EMG results.
Dark side that is fantastic news I’m so chuffed for you you must be so relieved ! I am currently suffering exact same as you - 10 months of it to be exact - unfortunately don’t seem to qualify for getting an emg . It’s really comforting to know that these symptoms don’t mean that dreaded illness !
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
I can already feel myself slipping back into health anxiety. Wondering why I do have shin muscle soreness in my right leg. Maybe I have some other very serious disease or even cancer. Maybe MS. Maybe some sort of cancer. Maybe some sort of debilitating muscular disease. Heck, maybe even ALS even though I’ve had a clean EMG - although I do still accept that is unlikely.
I have to admit I still have strange muscle soreness in my legs, particularly my right shin.
I don’t want to go back to this dark place.
I have to accept that death is always a possibility at any time. I think that is the root of hypochondria. Scared of dying and leaving people behind. Scared of your family members being sad after you’re gone, etc. Scared for my kids to not have a Dad.
But, I need to accept that that is always a possibility. How many kids lost their dads just this week? Thousands? Someone dies in the US every 12 seconds. Multiple people have died since I started writing this post just in my country alone.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
You're sounding really rational right now, Darkside. Try to hold onto that?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
I think that is the root of hypochondria. Scared of dying and leaving people behind. Scared of your family members being sad after you’re gone, etc.
I agree with this Darkside, my HA (which incidentally I've not had now for decades) certainly came from what my doctor referred to as a fear of dying.
Now, you know its going to be said....so give us our moment :winks:....we all said there was nothing going on AGAIN. Cos lets be honest here, you swing from this serious illness, to the next and the next and the next year after year. We all said time and time again that there was no ALS and that your symptoms had absolutely nothing to do with it. It is my opinion, (and I've said this to another member who recently had an EMG with a 'normal' result) that it should never have even got to the point of having an EMG. I am pleased when I hear of them being refused, as if there are no concerns at all from nerve/neuro tests and nothing in presentation that leads a consultant to think its necessary, then it shouldn't be done. I don't want those who haven't been offered an EMG to think that this means they are missing out on their defining moment of ruling out ALS/MND, there are plenty of other signs and symptoms that doctors would be alert to and if they had any concerns you'd have been offered the EMG. Trust in medical professionals needs to start much earlier than after having had a major scan/test.
It is good that you updated though, as you are right people do deserve to hear the outcome after replying to you for so long.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
And yet I find myself still fearing I have ALS because I can’t tap my right foot (leg with fatigue sore shin muscle) nearly as fast as my right. Sigh. Maybe I have early ALS and the EMG missed that or not quite the right muscles.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Maybe I have early ALS and the EMG missed that or not quite the right muscles.
Well, that major reassurance lasted a shorter time than I expected. :shrug:
This is the lesson to learn from this thread ladies and gents, not that Darkside feared ALS for ages (despite being told he didn't have it etc) and had a clear EMG. That is no surprise. The lesson is that no matter what tests and reassurance is given there is always the 'what if....' Unless the faulty thought processes related to anxiety are dealt with, there is always the 'but....' and doubting, and moving onto the next illness.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
We all knew this would happen.
Darkside - GET SOME HELP for the HA
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Glad you're ok Darkside, as we all thought you would be. Thank you for taking the time to let us know, and as you say, hopefully it will help others. Now, instead of falling straight back down that rabbit hole, why not finally seek support for your health anxiety?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carys
Well, that major reassurance lasted a shorter time than I expected. :shrug:
This is the lesson to learn from this thread ladies and gents, not that Darkside feared ALS for ages (despite being told he didn't have it etc) and had a clear EMG. That is no surprise. The lesson is that no matter what tests and reassurance is given there is always the 'what if....' Unless the faulty thought processes related to anxiety are dealt with, there is always the 'but....' and doubting, and moving onto the next illness.
Another....Flogging a Dead Horse,Carys:)
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
Hey Everyone,
I wanted to come back and give everyone an update on my health situation. Some of you may remember by very long thread a while back that started about lymph nodes and ended up on ALS a full year later. A brief recap, my symptoms were / are:
- Muscle pain in various muscles throughout body, but primarily in my right shin.
- A feeling of muscle fatigue where my muscles wear out more easily.
- Twitching in various places. Sometimes focused in one place for a week at a time or more.
This has been going on about 7 weeks. I went to PCP which sent me to Rheumatologist, which referred me to Neurologist for an NCV + EMG test in order to rule out any nerve problems.
Today I had the NCV + EMG and both were totally normal. The neurologist said I do not have anything like ALS and ALS is very obvious on an EMG.
I just wanted to provide that follow-up because I know I appreciate when someone has similar symptoms as me and posts an update that everything turned out fine. I don't know where I'll be going from here as I think the Rheumatologist may still want to pursue some other things - but, ALS, which was my main fear, is apparently out of the question based on the EMG results.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
I can already feel myself slipping back into health anxiety. Wondering why I do have shin muscle soreness in my right leg. Maybe I have some other very serious disease or even cancer. Maybe MS. Maybe some sort of cancer. Maybe some sort of debilitating muscular disease. Heck, maybe even ALS even though I’ve had a clean EMG - although I do still accept that is unlikely.
I have to admit I still have strange muscle soreness in my legs, particularly my right shin.
I don’t want to go back to this dark place.
I have to accept that death is always a possibility at any time. I think that is the root of hypochondria. Scared of dying and leaving people behind. Scared of your family members being sad after you’re gone, etc. Scared for my kids to not have a Dad.
But, I need to accept that that is always a possibility. How many kids lost their dads just this week? Thousands? Someone dies in the US every 12 seconds. Multiple people have died since I started writing this post just in my country alone.
Darkside,
What we see here is something we just haven't been seeing throughout your post history on NMP. There is a rational side there that knows they are just fears and they are not grounded in reality.
When you are not posting here, in a spiral, is this the other you? Can you recognise this rational side as you have done here? Doesn't this show the problem is in your mind because why would you be certain during the spiral but know it's nonsense the rest of the time? Do you believe the rational you outside of the spirals is ignoring something dangerous or do you just accept it was how you felt then and not how you feel now?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
I'm wondering if maybe I have thyroid cancer? Maybe that could cause my symptoms?
MS is also a possibility. I really don't know what else could be causing my symptoms. They do not seem to be anxiety related as they have not gone away following my clean EMG.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
I'm wondering if maybe I have thyroid cancer? Maybe that could cause my symptoms?
MS is also a possibility. I really don't know what else could be causing my symptoms. They do not seem to be anxiety related as they have not gone away following my clean EMG.
Look back on your threads on here (think back to those on AZ also) have you learnt anything ?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Honestly my symptoms today were worse than they have been in weeks. Quite severe pains in my legs, ankles, calves, etc. All over my legs basically. Mainly in my lower legs. Both legs involved. I don't understand it at all. I do think *something* is actually going on with me even though it may not be ALS. I do think I could have something serious just because my symptoms have been going on so long and are quite severe.
At this point things running through my mind are brain tumor causing nerve pains... thyroid cancer... some sort of rare muscular disease similar to ALS (?)... some sort of muscular dystrophy?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
This truly is just so sad to see :weep:
FMP
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
Hey Everyone,
I wanted to come back and give everyone an update on my health situation. Some of you may remember by very long thread a while back that started about lymph nodes and ended up on ALS a full year later. A brief recap, my symptoms were / are:
- Muscle pain in various muscles throughout body, but primarily in my right shin.
- A feeling of muscle fatigue where my muscles wear out more easily.
- Twitching in various places. Sometimes focused in one place for a week at a time or more.
This has been going on about 7 weeks. I went to PCP which sent me to Rheumatologist, which referred me to Neurologist for an NCV + EMG test in order to rule out any nerve problems.
Today I had the NCV + EMG and both were totally normal. The neurologist said I do not have anything like ALS and ALS is very obvious on an EMG.
I just wanted to provide that follow-up because I know I appreciate when someone has similar symptoms as me and posts an update that everything turned out fine. I don't know where I'll be going from here as I think the Rheumatologist may still want to pursue some other things - but, ALS, which was my main fear, is apparently out of the question based on the EMG results.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
I can already feel myself slipping back into health anxiety. Wondering why I do have shin muscle soreness in my right leg. Maybe I have some other very serious disease or even cancer. Maybe MS. Maybe some sort of cancer. Maybe some sort of debilitating muscular disease. Heck, maybe even ALS even though I’ve had a clean EMG - although I do still accept that is unlikely.
I have to admit I still have strange muscle soreness in my legs, particularly my right shin.
I don’t want to go back to this dark place.
I have to accept that death is always a possibility at any time. I think that is the root of hypochondria. Scared of dying and leaving people behind. Scared of your family members being sad after you’re gone, etc. Scared for my kids to not have a Dad.
But, I need to accept that that is always a possibility. How many kids lost their dads just this week? Thousands? Someone dies in the US every 12 seconds. Multiple people have died since I started writing this post just in my country alone.
^ Remember that guy? Wasn't he right?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
I go back to the Rheum Dr on Monday to discuss next steps after the clean EMG. This week my symptoms have been flared up again like they were at the beginning of all this. Pain and sore muscles in both legs. Twitching all over both legs. Waves of nerve like pain in both legs and sometimes in hands.
There is definitely something wrong with me as should be obvious to anyone but I don’t know what is going on. I hope we can get some information soon and figure it out. I would like to at least rule out MS. I also fear cancer and my muscular symptoms being paraneoplasm syndrome. I haven’t had any other symptoms that scream “cancer” though.
Could also be muscular dystrophy. I have no idea. But, something is going on.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Yeah something is going on - anxiety.
MS would be ruled out by the EMG
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Anxiety has absolutely nothing to do with my muscles being in constant pain in my legs. Nothing. Even that suggestion is somewhat insulting that this is all somehow in my head or caused by me being nervous.
There is something wrong with me. MS, muscular dystrophy, something. Just because we don’t know what it is yet doesn’t mean it’s anxiety.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Then, with all due respect, why are you posting on an anxiety forum?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
If you're posting here because you think anxiety could be a cause, then don't get butt-hurt at the people that suggest that anxiety can be the cause.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
Anxiety has absolutely nothing to do with my muscles being in constant pain in my legs. Nothing. Even that suggestion is somewhat insulting that this is all somehow in my head or caused by me being nervous.
There is something wrong with me. MS, muscular dystrophy, something. Just because we don’t know what it is yet doesn’t mean it’s anxiety.
If they haven't found a physical cause, though, wouldn't it be logical to consider other options?
Anxious brains CANNOT be trusted, and you'll almost certainly start feeling better once you accept this.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Insulting ?
Given your posting history Darkside, all the terminal illnesses you've never had all these years and all the tests that have found nothing..... I'm astonished you can claim being insulted by what is the given fact that this is anxiety.
I see that you still have learnt nothing from your recent clear EMG, along with all the other tests, scans and medical appointments over years. I don't think you have any intention of accepting your problem is one in the realms of mental health (although, indeed, why ARE you posting on this forum ?)
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carys
Insulting ?
Given your posting history Darkside, all the terminal illnesses you've never had all these years and all the tests that have found nothing..... I'm astonished you can claim being insulted by what is the given fact that this is anxiety.
I see that you still have learnt nothing from your recent clear EMG, along with all the other tests, scans and medical appointments over years. I don't think you have any intention of accepting your problem is one in the realms of mental health (although, indeed, why ARE you posting on this forum ?)
I just get scared and don't know where else to post really. There is something wrong with me that is not caused by anxiety. No doctor at any time has suggested this is an anxiety related thing I'm experiencing. An EMG does not rule out MS, contrary to what someone else posted.
In fact, I'm not even particularly "anxious" about having MS. If I have it I have it. I just want to know *what* I have. It's been two months now and I feel no closer to knowing that, other than potentially crossing ALS off the list with the clean EMG.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
See, this is why Hypo27 is not darkside. Darkside posts in complete sentences and uses correct grammar...and when s/he replies at least s/he acknowledges what you say, even if s/he doesn't believe you :roflmao:
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
I just get scared and don't know where else to post really. There is something wrong with me that is not caused by anxiety. No doctor at any time has suggested this is an anxiety related thing I'm experiencing. An EMG does not rule out MS, contrary to what someone else posted.
In fact, I'm not even particularly "anxious" about having MS. If I have it I have it. I just want to know *what* I have. It's been two months now and I feel no closer to knowing that, other than potentially crossing ALS off the list with the clean EMG.
Yes you hate the feelings and the uncertainty. But once you get the reassurance it never truly goes away does it?
No one is saying your symptoms aren't real but you have to remember that anxiety isn't just having strange thoughts and feeling scared. Anxiety impacts all over your body and many of your organs. It's a chemical reaction just as we are chemical beings. That's not insulting, it's medically proven fact.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MyNameIsTerry
Yes you hate the feelings and the uncertainty. But once you get the reassurance it never truly goes away does it?
No one is saying your symptoms aren't real but you have to remember that anxiety isn't just having strange thoughts and feeling scared. Anxiety impacts all over your body and many of your organs. It's a chemical reaction just as we are chemical beings. That's not insulting, it's medically proven fact.
Well, I think I don't have total reassurance because there is such a broad spectrum of things that could cause this. ALS, MS, Muscular Dystrophy, Thyroid, Brain (?), Hormone, Auto-Immune... and the *only* thing I think I have *maybe* crossed of that list is ALS (through EMG) and various forms of arthritis (through blood tests). So, I just worry because there is a whole list of bad things this could still be that we haven't tested for at all.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
LOL at Vee, yeah, they are both such different people in posting style and thought processes actually, no idea why some say they aren't. Frustratingly Darkside also has times of being so close to breaking through this HA stuff.
Just a belief you have symptoms can cause symptoms, forget being 'particularly anxious' - if you think you have something you can actually create the symptoms. They are real and not imaginary.
Anyway, lets explore this bit....
Quote:
No doctor at any time has suggested this is an anxiety related thing I'm experiencing.
THis refers to the last 2 months 'illness' only I believe. So, what about the previous many years, what has your doctor said then ?
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Darkside, when I was well down the rabbit hole a few years ago (I only make the occasional visit now) someone pointed out how much I prioritised my HA - above my kids, my partner and my job in terms of the energy I devoted to it. Their question was how I thought it benefitted me. Was I displacing? Was it magical thinking/OCD related? etc etc. Thinking about the answer changed my understanding. Your history on here is one of HA and catastrophic thinking. That does not mean there is nothing physical the matter this time. But it does mean that regardless of that I reckon you could do with some help with approaching your mindset in a different way. Some people swear by CBT. I found existential psychotherapy most illuminating for my issues. Whatever might work for you would also be hugely useful if somewhere down the line you did have a real health issue. Worth thinking about anyhow....
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Sadly my muscle pains and twitches have continued and are causing me quite a bit of problems. The Rheumatologist has referred me to a local hospital for a muscle biopsy to determine if I have any muscular dystrophies, mainly Becker's Dystrophy as they already did some blood tests on some other forms of dystrophy.
He says if this comes back normal there isn't much else he can do on his end but he thinks it is a good idea to get this biopsy based on my symptoms. I'm pretty bummed, as I was hoping after my clean EMG the symptoms would go away if they were anxiety based but I don't really think they are anxiety. They are too constant and consistent and too painful.
If this muscle biopsy comes back normal I will still have some worries about MS being a possible cause, but I will have to talk to my primary care doctor about that.
Lately the hotspots have been behind my knees and in my calves. Behind my right knee is sore pretty much 24 hours a day. Then I get pains all up and down my legs and last a few seconds and go away, then come back a few minutes later, etc.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
And how did you become aware of "Becker's Dystrophy"?
You're lucky to be able to afford all these (unnecessary) tests but I totally disagree that anxiety can't cause your symptoms. And the rest... :lac:
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Yeah, you keep on searching Darkside, one day...one day...something will appear ey.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
The doctor mentioned Beckers. I had never heard of it.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
darkside4k
The doctor mentioned Beckers. I had never heard of it.
But I'm sure you've researched it thoroughly now.
You can still cling on to the MS diagnosis if miraculously this latest biopsy comes back clear.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
muscle pains and twitches have continued
Oh look, your very first thread on this site almost exactly three years ago - December 2016. You complain about twitching, fatigue, tightness, muscle pains in your hands, fingers, arms, thighs and calves, sounds like the same 'illness' you have now Darkside. So, you've come a full circle in the last three years, with a large number of terminal illnesses in between of course, but now you are back to the same thing you started with. Go back and read it - learn something for once ! Oh don't tell me - this time is different ? I honestly can't believe your doctor is indulging you like this.
https://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?192302-Worried-I-Have-ALS-Arm-Fatigue
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
I think it's a question of the patient needing to have a sense of getting his/her money's worth from the consultation? The more tests the better and more "thorough" the consultation, thinks the patient.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KK77
And how did you become aware of "Becker's Dystrophy"?
I think I tried a pint of that once! http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/drink/t0321.gif
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Nice little emoticon you found there Terry lol You are right it does have the sound of an ale lol
Pulisa - yeah you are probably right. I was thinking though of Darkside's GP/PCP, who seems to give referrals willynilly.
I find it interesting Darkside, that you keep repeating the word 'SYMPTOMS' , the definition being - a physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease. What you have aren't symptoms, you should stop using the word which validates your belief that you have some illness to uncover. What you have are sensations and feelings.
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Re: Update On My Situation - Just Had EMG
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MyNameIsTerry
No wonder you had the "shakes" :ohmy: