#nerve testing emg

[neurologicalgb]

EMG Nerve Test – What It Is, How It Works & Why You Need It

The health of your nervous system plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. When nerve damage or dysfunction occurs, it can lead to a variety of uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms, including pain, weakness, or numbness. Understanding how your nervous system functions is key to diagnosing and treating many conditions. One of the most effective diagnostic tools available for evaluating nerve and muscle function is the Emg Nerve Test. In this blog, we will explore what an EMG nerve test is, how it works, and why it may be essential for your health.

What is an EMG Nerve Test?

An EMG nerve test, or electromyography, is a medical procedure that measures the electrical activity in muscles and nerves. It is used to evaluate the function of the muscles and the nerve cells that control them. This test helps healthcare professionals diagnose a wide range of neuromuscular disorders by assessing the electrical impulses produced by muscles at rest and during contraction.

The nerve test EMG typically involves inserting a thin needle electrode into a muscle to record the electrical activity. The information gathered from the test can help identify muscle or nerve disorders, such as neuropathies, muscle diseases, and conditions affecting the spinal cord.

How Does an EMG Nerve Test Work?

During a nerve testing EMG procedure, a healthcare professional uses a needle electrode, which is inserted into specific muscles to measure electrical activity. The test is often performed in two parts:

Needle Electromyography (EMG): In this part of the test, the needle is inserted into the muscle to measure the electrical activity of the muscle fibers. The needle detects electrical signals when the muscle contracts and when it is at rest. These signals are then displayed on a screen, providing valuable information about the muscle's health and function.

Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): In addition to the needle EMG, the healthcare provider may use surface electrodes placed on the skin to send small electrical impulses through the nerves. The test measures how fast and efficiently the electrical impulses travel through the nerves, helping identify nerve damage or dysfunction.

The procedure is typically done in a medical office and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of muscles and nerves being tested. While the test can cause some discomfort, most patients find the procedure tolerable.

What Conditions Can an EMG Nerve Test Diagnose?

An EMG nerve test is used to diagnose various conditions that affect the nerves and muscles. Some of the most common conditions include:

Nerve Damage or Injury: The nerve testing EMG is highly effective in diagnosing nerve damage, whether due to compression, inflammation, or injury. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and peripheral neuropathy are frequently evaluated using EMG tests.

Muscle Disorders: EMG is also helpful in diagnosing muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, polymyositis, and muscle strains. By examining the electrical signals in the muscles, the test can detect abnormalities in muscle function that may be indicative of a muscle disease.

Neurological Disorders: The EMG nerve test can help identify neurological disorders that affect nerve signaling, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This condition causes nerve degeneration and muscle weakness, and EMG can be crucial in its diagnosis.

Spinal Disorders: If there is suspected nerve compression or damage in the spine, an EMG test may be used to help diagnose conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or nerve root compression.

Chronic Pain Syndromes: For individuals experiencing unexplained chronic pain, especially in the limbs, an EMG nerve test can help identify the source of the discomfort by pinpointing nerve or muscle abnormalities.

Why Should You Get an EMG Nerve Test?

There are several reasons why you might need a nerve test EMG. Here are some of the primary reasons why this test is essential:

Accurate Diagnosis of Nerve and Muscle Conditions: The EMG nerve test provides a detailed and accurate assessment of how your muscles and nerves are functioning. This can lead to a precise diagnosis, allowing for more effective treatment options. Whether you're experiencing unexplained pain, numbness, or weakness, the EMG test can help identify the underlying cause.

Early Detection of Neurological Disorders: Some neurological conditions can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, as symptoms may be mild or intermittent. The nerve testing EMG can detect abnormalities in nerve and muscle function before more severe symptoms arise, allowing for earlier intervention and better management of the condition.

Monitoring Disease Progression: If you have already been diagnosed with a neurological or muscular condition, an EMG nerve test can be used to monitor the progression of the disease. It helps doctors assess how the disease is affecting the muscles and nerves over time and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

Determining the Cause of Pain or Weakness: If you experience unexplained pain, weakness, or tingling sensations, an EMG nerve test can help identify whether the source of the problem is nerve-related or muscular. This is particularly helpful in cases where the cause of symptoms is unclear and requires further investigation.

Evaluating Treatment Effectiveness: For patients who are undergoing treatment for nerve or muscle conditions, the nerve test EMG can help assess whether the treatment is working effectively. If the electrical activity in the muscles improves or stabilizes over time, it can indicate that the treatment is having a positive impact.

What to Expect During an EMG Nerve Test

Before the nerve testing EMG, your doctor will explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have. During the test, you may be asked to relax or contract certain muscles. The healthcare professional will insert the needle electrode into specific muscles to measure their electrical activity. Although the needle may cause some discomfort, the test is generally well-tolerated.

After the test, you may experience some muscle soreness or bruising around the area where the needle was inserted, but these side effects typically subside within a few days. Your doctor will discuss the results of the test with you and determine the next steps based on the findings.

Why Choose Us for Your EMG Nerve Test?

At Neurological Medicine, P.A., we specialize in providing comprehensive diagnostic services, including the EMG nerve test, to help you understand the health of your nervous system. Our experienced team of professionals uses the latest technology to ensure accurate and reliable results. We are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health by providing personalized care and expert guidance.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to nerve or muscle dysfunction, contact us today to schedule an appointment for a detailed evaluation. We are here to help you take control of your health and get the answers you need.

[rhiandoesfandom]

Got my first emg nerve test today.

If you can ever avoid it, do it.

It was not the most painful thing I've experienced. More like- extremely uncomfortable.

But not fun at all. And I have no clue how long I'll be sore for.

[qkumber]

Soooo it's not carpal tunnel?? I guess

I dont know what is wrong with my hand if it's carpal tunnel or arthritis or what but I'm at the point now where I just want to tear my whole fucking forearm off

[womenofnoise]

Mafufu Sejmet - "Neuro Noise" from Puebla, Mexico.

"Neuro Noise" is noise and ambient sounds created from the nervous system. All the sounds used in performances come directly from the artist's own body and are sourced from electromyography (EMG). EMG is a test that evaluates the health of muscles and the nerves that control them. It measures the electrical activity of muscles and the speed and efficiency of the electrical signals transmitted by nerves.

Mafufu graduated with a degree in Visual Arts from ENPEG "La Esmeralda". She's currently a psychology student at UNAM and works in a Neurology and Neurophysiology clinic.

[professional-benaddict]

Little!Peter has to get an EMG and is nervous about the shocks and the needles 🥺🥺

EMG is a medical test where a thin needle is inserted into different muscles (usually in the arms and legs) to test for nerve or muscle abnormalities. The needle sends a small electrical impulse to the muscle and the response is recorded on a machine.

Daddies have noticed in the past few weeks that Peter’s mobility has changed. He stumbles more and has a harder time moving and picking up things. So, Peter needs an EMG test to figure out what could be causing his mobility issues.

They both talk with Peter many times about the test to prepare him. Daddies were also told it would be okay to give Peter a painkiller before his appointment.

When the day finally comes, Peter is quiet and anxious. He buries his face in his big shark stuffie and wants one Daddy to sit in the back of the car with him. Stephen complies and holds Peter’s hand the whole time.

Once they are called into the appointment, Peter is told to take off his pants and lay down on the table. Daddies stand on each of his sides, pretty much hiding the scary stuff that is going to happen. All Peter can see are his Daddies leaning over him.

“I’m just gonna clean you a bit. It might feel cold, and then I’m gonna put these stickers on you. All right?” The doctor says.

Peter nods, but keeps his eyes firmly fixed on his Daddies. They are each holding his hands and kissing them.

“Okay. I’m gonna start now, Peter. Try to stay still and focus on your breathing. Let me know if you need to have a break.”

Daddies totally expected Peter to cry, maybe even scream, but all he does is blink and frown ever so slightly. The machine beeps softly, so Daddies know Peter has been stuck with the needle twice already.

“Good. You’re doing amazing, buddy.” The doctor says.

Peter blinks again. The machine keeps beeping as he is stuck with the needle.

“Daddies?”

“Hm?”

“You okay, baby? You need a break?”

“Anything, baby. Just say the word and we’ll pause.”

Daddies watch wide eyed, scanning Peter’s face for signs of distress.

“No, is okay. But, you’re squeezing too hard.” Peter says, wiggling his fingers.

Daddies almost startle out of their trance and let go of Peter’s hands. The poor boy’s fingers are a little white, so Stephen and Tony must have held on a bit too tightly.

“Sorry, sorry.” Tony chuckles and Stephen leans down to kiss Peter’s forehead.

Maybe Daddies are the ones who need a break, because Peter is pulling through like a champ.

[crimsonthornedrose]

So..

I had been gone from here because I wasn't doing great! I will explain more in a minute, but some good things have happened since I've been gone and some not so good things have happened!

Not so good things -

🌿 The stiff person flare that landed me in hospital lasted an entire month which is the longest it's ever lasted, and affected muscles which aren't usually affected.

🌿 My ataxia was then triggered extremely badly for the first time in years, and I had intense vertigo with loss of balance for about a week or two.

🌿 I had an emg and nerve test finally but I'm still recovering from the pain of the needle going in multiple muscles as it's really sore still and I can't raise my right arm most days!

🌿 I had to call 111 as I had extremely intense abdominal and back spasms coming in waves and vomiting all night long at one point. Not sure what it was my condition spread into my abdomen or inflammation or what.

Though it kicked me up the butt to overhaul my entire diet.

Good things -

🌱 I have an app with a neuro close to me, it had to be rescheduled because of the snow, but should hopefuly now be on my way to getting a firm treatment plan in place mainly from having to go into hospital and the tests, so something good came from it! 😄

🌱- Once that's done I will be getting myself an electric wheelchair instead of struggling up the hill each day on the school run etc! 😅

🌱 I will have my entire overdraft paid off in May this year finally 👌

🌱 I've lost total of 1st 10lb as of today and I'm doing really well with my weight loss journey! I'm really taking my health seriously for the first time in years and have overhauled my entire way of eating, I'm eating lots of organic veggies and fruits and making things compeltely from scratch. I have also stopped binge ordering takeout.

🌱 TMI - In completely cutting out my intolerances/allergens even with cross contamination and overhauling my diet. My pcos has got much better and for the first time in a few years my last period lasted two weeks instead of months! Usually I don't come on for months at a time, and then come on for months super heavy. So that's made me very happy! :)

🌱 I've decided to buy my sisters house that I'm currently in, we have talked about this and so from July I will be opening a lifetime ISA and the extreme saving will commence haha but I should be able to put down a deposit around 2027👌

🌱 I am currently dating someone and he's extremely sweet and lovely and I'm seeing him again in February, but right now my sons father doesn't have a car at the moment to look after our toddler, but he makes me happy so we will see how things go, I have high hopes as he gives me reciprocated energy I've wanted for a long time! 😅

🌱 I am super into home decor at the moment and super focused on making my home extremely lovely, definitely found my vibe which is very bright colours and a little retro/quirky - dopamine decor haha :3

🌱 Me and my toddler had the best time in his school holidays we did so much crafting, playing and having fun everyday haha it was great! 😁

What's been going on -

🌲 The reason I've been all over the place the past few years, is because I've been 100% certain I have bipolar. It's become more obvious to me as the years go by and I recognise my own behaviours and patterns. I've been in denial over it over the stigma that comes with it. One of my family members has it and I didn't like the way some other family members talked about them, which kind of made me try and make it anything but, super long pmdd, seasonal depression etc. But I can't be in denial any longer and I'm ready to seek the help I need.

🌱 I have an app this month with the doctor but will most likely be taking myself privately because I want to get on the right meds asap and it could take a long time with the NHS.. It's tough having to deal with constant euphoric highs and rock bottom lows every few weeks/months as I rapid cycle.

🌱 I am just coming out of a really severe hypomania phase (but tbh I did get my entire house organised and sorted, have been ontop of everything, super happy) but then now I've been coming out of it the past few days, I've been extremely over the top irritable, sad and just bleh.

🌱 But.. Today I feel very calm, normal, stable and happy again! More like my normal self. So hopefuly I will have a nice normal period before I crash back into depression, ha!

🌱But, I have downloaded this app to track moods so I can print it out bring it to my psychiatrist.

🌱I've also downloaded a journal that I can do voice notes and it transcribes it into writing. So when I am crashing I'm not babbling it all on here ha.

🌱I will get myself sorted no matter what before the middle of this year with it, but atleast now I can recognise when I'm actually having an episode and I'm trying my best to put things in place to help me, like batch cooking and getting as much done as possible during my high phases to benefit me during my depressive phases ha! 😊👌

🌱 I also don't get paid until later in the month now which is an extreme blessing because during my hypomania episodes and even depression (where I can binge order takeout) I now can't physically do that and during my hypomania phase I managed to screenshot everything I wanted to impulsively purchase, and I have a list of about 60 things. So thank god for the change in payment schedule. I am determined to stick to my budget per month.

🌱 I've been looking up a lot of self help stuff on YouTube for bipolar and have a lot of new ideas in ways to help myself in the meantime, plus the guy I'm dating is very understanding of this too, so I'm very happy ☺️

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

if. “visible disabilities take more seriously!!!!1!1!1!1!!!!😫😭” actually true!!!!! wouldn’t have to learn stuff like muscle biopsy EMG nerve conduction study exist from FUCKING INTERNET instead of DOZEN DOCTOR went to. FOR MUSCLE WEAKNESS

still screaming abt this!!!!!!!!!!!! losing my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!

if visible disabilities taken more seriously!!!! would have diagnosis already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! would have got tests and doctors would suggest tests!!!! would suggest maybe something NEUROMUSCULAR go on!!!! and TEST IT!!!!!!!!

LOSING MY MIND

[lucianalight]

So I had to do a NCS/EMG test. The NCS portion of the test is sending electrical impulses to body parts and studying the nerve's response(it's basically mild electrocution lol).

I knew it was going to be painful but not that much. Either chronic pain has lowered my pain threshold or I'm just too sensitive. For anyone who wants to use it in writing, It's a stinging, burning pain that you feel deep in your muscle and bone and it makes your muscles jump uncontrollably. The worst pain though was when the technician would send ten shocks in a row into a muscle. It hurt like hell. In the end I was completely drained, exhausted, out of breath, in pain and nursing one of the worst migraine attacks of my life.

Before the test I was trying to cheer myself up with silly thoughts: "Now I can add electrocution to my life experiences! Or I can say I can fight Thor :))) ". But after, all I could think of was how much of a good person Loki actually is. Because if I were him and Thor had left me to be electrocuted for who knows how long and laughed about it, the only reason I'd come back to Asgard would have been to make sure Thor loses horribly and suffers for what he has done. So I spent most of yesterday thinking about AUs in which Loki joins Hela in the final battle of TR :D

[tootoomanycats]

Got a referral to a Rheumatologist from my primary the other day.

The guy was running behind on appointments, so I waited almost an hour to be seen (which I agreed too and was okay with!)

When he finally walked in, he took one look at my feet which had turned purple from waiting and sitting so long. (Something I have chronically been dealing with since I was in my teens, I’m now in my mid 30’s)

He asked me a few questions and was shocked to find out no one had diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia as I checked almost every symptom.

Just from our first meeting he not only gave me a nerve pain medication, but also an anti inflammatory injection as well as a nerve pain blocker shot for my legs.

I had 14 vials drawn for multiple tests he wanted, and x rays done of my entire spine and every one of my body’s joints.

Next week I get to have multiple skin allergy tests, food allergy tests as well as EMGs for both my upper and lower body.

I got home and cried- because for over 20 years I thought I was being dramatic about how much pain I have been in and that I was just lazy because I couldn’t push past my brain fog and fatigue.

The next morning I woke up and my body looked like I had lost 20lbs because of how much my inflammation had gone down.

All this to say don’t EVER stop advocating for yourself, if something feels wrong and painful, don’t stop until a medical professional will take you seriously.

Because remember folks the normal amount of pain anyone should be in is NONE!

[pa3ch]

Scheduled an EMG to test my nerves…. First available was October lol

[dykebutches]

had a neurologist do a EMG test on my arm and he said it is mild sensory nerve damage and that he believes it’s coming from either arthritis or a pinched nerve in my neck but i should recover! which yay but that was a lot and the testing hurt so so so so bad

[fairyfawm]

i have a neurologist appointment in about a month that i'm quite nervous about due to previously being dismissed/not having my concerns listened to, so gonna post this to ask for some advice on getting Taken Seriously or if anyone knows things about the type of condition i might have about what i should be asking them to do/test.

might be quite long so putting it under a read more, and tw for medical stuff and doctors being dismissive. also i am So So Tired and therefore not able to think very clearly so apologies if i've messed up any of the medical info about conditions i mention and apologise just generally for the rambliness of my writing.

summary of why i'm going:

bunch of disabling symptoms that have continually progressed over the past 5+ years, including: muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle twitches/small spasms, nerve pain, blurry vision, lack of coordination (have this from autism, however has gotten significantly worse recently so might also be related to neuro stuff). first symptoms were difficulty having my arms over my head (like having to take multiple breaks while putting my hair into a ponytail because i couldn't hold my arms over my head for the like.. three minutes to do a ponytail) and blurry vision (that optometrist has said seems like might be due to a systemic disease because of how variable it is) since i was 13, which was seven years ago. i started getting more impairing symptoms when i was 15, and began needing a wheelchair for anything that required standing or walking for more than 10 - 15 minutes. i'm currently 20 and need my wheelchair whenever i leave the house, i can't leave the house or do things around the house often, i can stand for a max of like four minutes and can't hold my hands above my head for more than like 30 seconds to one minute. pretty much all my symptoms get a lot worse with any exertion.

GP thinks i have myasthenia gravis, but the test for acetylcholine receptor antibodies was negative and he doesn't have the ability to do other tests.

the neurologist has already said he thinks i have functional neurological disorder and that i should do CBT and pysio to improve my functioning (i already know CBT is horrible for me, i'm in other therapy which is good, i've done some psyio before but she just taught me some stretches and that was it, more psyio could be good but it'd have to be with someone who isn't trying to do a graded exercise therapy type thing since i get PEM). he has mentioned doing a spine MRI but this hasn't been done yet. he said he doesn't want to do further testing for myasthenia gravis but i will probably try to get him to agree to doing a repetitive nerve stimulation EMG or something.

i also have scapular winging on the side of my body with worse muscular symptoms which has also caused a lot of nerve pain, and i might also have some sort of spine issues (straightening of cervical lordosis was seen on a CT scan, they said it was probably due to muscle spasms, and i get a lot of neck pain which might be due to that? as well as a ton of back pain along my spine. might have CCI but haven't been tested yet). since it seems like i'm getting some structural changes in areas where i also get a lot of the pain and weakness and spasms i'm hoping if i bring that up the neurologist might maybe look more at organic causes + the state of those structural changes but i dunno.

he did a basic neurological exam in my initial appointment with him and said that i have give way weakness/waxing and waning weakness because when he got me to do the pushing my limbs against resistance i could do okay for a couple seconds but couldn't maintain it. he also said in the letter that i had positive hoovers sign however i am.. very confused by this because from my understanding hoovers sign is mainly looked at when someone has one limb that's at least somewhat "normal" and one that either can't be moved or is very weak, and then the person can't move the weak leg but when asked to push the stronger leg against resistance they push the weak leg down. both my legs are strong enough that i can stand and whilst one leg is a bit weaker they're relatively similar. i lifted and pushed against resistance with both legs so.... i am not sure how hoovers is applicable here? does anyone know why it was applied and if that was correct or if i should be challenging that? he's saying that the give way weakness and positive hoovers are indicators that the problem is "non-organic" and therefore should be treated with CBT and pysio.

i'm not sure what i think is actually going on. i think myasthenia gravis might make sense, but also so could other neuromuscular diseases like a mitochondrial disease or something. also very possible it's myalgic encephalomyelitis (aka chronic fatigue syndrome) but obviously that one is a diagnosis of exclusion so i want to rule other things out if possible. i want to know what's going on so i can have the best chance of being as well as is possible for me. i know CBT is not right for me and whilst some type of pysio could help a bit/prevent some decline (based on past experience i know it won't Cure Me but obviously it can help a bit to build some muscle or maintain range of motion and things like that which are important) if there's other things i can do on top of that i want to.

i've tried to do research to work out the best tests to ask for and i think EMG might be good but also know a normal EMG doesn't typically pick up myasthenia gravis so it needs to also have repetitive nerve stimulation i think?

i can't see a different neurologist at least not anytime soon, so i need to get this neurologist to do as much to help as possible. a social worker from where i get therapy is coming to the appointment to help me so that should be good but i need to work out what the best way to advocate for myself is and what tests are going to be the most useful to ask for.

if anyone has any advice for getting doctors to take you seriously or for any tests i should be advocating for or conditions i should be looking into or anything i would really appreciate it <3 (emoticon description: heart)

[asoulofstars]

Welp. The spinal specialist said my MRI actually looked really good and my disc bulges are really small, and even the degeneration that was noted on my MRI isn’t anything of note. They have no idea why my symptoms are as severe as they are. Definitely no reason for surgery. They’re ordering an EMG (nerve test) and referring me to a pain clinic.

I do have an appointment on the 18th with a different spinal specialist, and I’m gonna keep that appointment so I can see if he disagrees with anything.

[nitinkhanna]

Pinched Nerve in The Spine: Radiculopathy - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

The spine consists of several individual bones known as vertebrae. These are interconnected together to form the spine. The spinal cord passes through a central canal in these vertebrae. From the spinal cord, the splitting of nerve roots occurs.

These roots travel between the bones of the spinal and different parts of the body. When the nerve root that leaves the spinal cord to other body parts becomes pinched, irritated, or damaged, it results in a medical condition known as radiculopathy. This condition is also known as a pinched nerve.

Types of Radiculopathy

Depending on where the condition happens in the spine, there are three types of radiculopathy. The symptoms of these types may range from mild to severe in individuals.

Cervical radiculopathy

Occurs due to pressure and compression of the nerve roots in the neck.

This portion of the spinal cord mainly affects the hands, arms, fingers, and shoulders.

Symptoms are usually visible in the hands and arms, which may include weakness or loss of sensation.

Lumbar radiculopathy

Occurs due to pressure and compression of the nerve roots in the lower back.

It may lead to sciatica, a condition that involves radiating pain in the sciatic nerve.

Thoracic radiculopathy

Occurs due to pressure and compression of the nerve roots in the upper back.

Chest pain is common in this condition.

There is a feeling of numbness and pain that moves to the front of the body in patients.

Causes of Radiculopathy and Risk Factors

Here are some of the commonly known causes of radiculopathy and the risk factors associated with it.

Change in size or shift in position of the tissues that surround the nerve root.

Herniated discs, also known as slip discs, are caused by to rupture of soft pads between spinal bones.

Bone spurs, bony outgrowths or projections resulting in constriction of the spinal passage. a condition in which the spaces within the spine get narrow.

Spondylosis is a wear and tear of the spinal disc with age.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra slips out of its normal position onto the bone below it.

Spinal stenosis, narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back.

Sciatica is pain travelling along with the sciatic nerve moving to the back of the thigh into the legs.

Thickening of spinal ligaments.

Spinal infections

Regular improper movements

Cancerous or non-cancerous growth in the spine

Radiculopathy Diagnosis

The diagnosis of radiculopathy begins with the patient giving a brief of their medical history to the doctor.

The doctor will ask questions about the type of symptoms, location of the pain, for how long has the pain been there, and also any other medical conditions which the patient is suffering from.

Once the medical history is known, the physician conducts a physical examination and tests.

This is to check the patient's muscular strength, reflexes, sensation, and also the possibility of any abnormalities.

Physical examination allows the medical practitioner to know the severity of the radiculopathy condition.

It also gives an idea about the location of the nerve root that is affected.

In some cases, radiculopathy diagnosis may require the use of advanced imaging techniques such as CT scan or MRI.

These tests aid in improving the visualization of the area where the problem lies.

In some cases, an expert like Dr Khanna orthopedic surgeon may also conduct a study on nerve conduction or Electromyography (EMG).

These tests help to know whether there is damage to the nerve or the problem is muscular.

Symptoms of Radiculopathy

The pinched nerve roots quickly become inflamed, which may result in the following symptoms:

Shooting pain in the back, legs, arms, and shoulders

Feeling of numbness and tingling sensation in the arms and legs.

Localized neck and back pain

Sharp pain when sitting idle or coughing

Sharp pain with movement

Hypersensitivity

Loss of sensation

Radiating pain in the shoulders

Skin numbness

Muscular weakness

Loss of reflexes

Sciatica

Non-surgical treatment for Radiculopathy

Conservative treatment is usually recommended before surgery. Here are some of the non-surgical treatment options for radiculopathy.

Physical therapy to strengthen the areas of pain.

Limitation or complete elimination of activities that cause radiculopathy pain and stains of the back and neck.

Immobilizing the affected area with

[crippleprophet]

i hope this is okay to ask, really sorry if it's not!! i was wondering if u or ur followers have any tips for getting a doctor to actually do tests (i can't get a different doctor), or if anyone has better understanding than me of the wording and tests used for fnd

i have a neuro appointment at the end of the month and from our one previous appointment he's already decided i have fnd even tho my symptoms don't particularly fit (and like.. he said i had positive hoovers when he also said i have near normal strength? all the things i have read about hoovers sign talk about it with people who have one very weak limb and other limb with normal strength. he also said i have "give way" weakness but it wasn't that i could hold my limbs up and then collapsed under gentle touch; i could push back for a few seconds but then would be weaker and buckle because my weakness gets worse with exertion. i dunno if he's using these things correctly because from what i can read it doesn't sound like the typical ways it's used but i also can't read a lot before getting triggered). i want to get a EMG with repetitive nerve stimulation because my GP thinks i have seronegative myasthenia gravis, and would like to get a muscle biopsy to look at other neuromuscular causes like MD or mito, but i have no idea how to get him to order these. in the time since my first appointment with him i realised i have scapular winging and that that's probably the causes of my neck and shoulder nerve pain and i know from an old CT that i have loss of cervical lordosis so am hoping that maybe?? bringing up these structural changes in the areas i get a lot of my muscular symptoms Might help convince him it's not functional but i don't have a ton of hope. i'm bringing support people with me but other than that and saying things like "to rule out" rather than "because i think i have" when asking for tests do u have any advice?? or knowledge on the fnd things? i am So Scared for the appointment shshdhdjdj

oh god i’m so fucking sorry you’re dealing with this, that’s such bullshit. i think emphasizing that your GP wanted the EMG is the aspect that’s most likely to be effective, if possible you could also try to get your GP to send the neuro a letter listing the tests they want ordered (which could include ones you propose). i think the fact that your gp is considering seronegative MG is a really good sign so i hope they’ll advocate for you!

idk if you’re in a system / situation where you can go to a different neuro but if that’s a possibility i strongly recommend you consider it. i’ll get into this more in a second but the fact that he’s framing your symptoms through the lens of these signs & that he invoked fnd without conducting any tests is a strong indication that he’s going to push an fnd diagnosis no matter what your test results actually say.

the strength signs aren’t “my area” so to speak so i’ve called in a consult with my gf who is a med student planning on going into neuro :)

so both of these signs are bullshit because they exist as a metric of whether or not to invalidate someone’s symptoms, which it seems like is exactly what your neurologist is trying to do to you. so for me the issue is less how he’s using these signs than the fact that he’s using them, if that makes sense

hoover’s sign is technically defined based on how you’re moving your body rather than muscle strength but some doctors may use it in that form. it’s generally like “your right leg moved when i had you move your left leg so i’ve decided you’re lying about your right leg being paralyzed,” so it’s weird that he’s using it in a context where you’re not telling him you’re paralyzed but it doesn’t mean he’s necessarily acting outside the bounds of the test as it has been constructed, if that makes sense

what you describe you doing – pushing back for a second & then not being able to – is how “give way” weakness is defined; the example you described of holding a limb up & then collapsing without pushing back would be written as a separate exam finding. so as my gf said, “i don’t think he’s using these terms incorrectly per se, i just dispute the value of them.”

you may have already done this for your first appointment but for what it’s worth a lot of people with myasthenia gravis discuss having strategically worn themselves out immediately before going to the doctor (by talking on the phone, darting their eyes around, etc). obviously this takes a certain level of familiarity with your energy capacity on any given day because you can’t then be too tired to get through the appointment… there are definitely certain risks involved as with any intentional act of making ourselves sicker so it’s up to you whether that’s worth it!

there are also some other get sicker MG tips in another post in my myasthenia gravis tag if you want to check that out!

i’m really sorry again that you’re dealing with this, you deserve compassionate & comprehensive care which imo functional diagnoses are fundamentally at odds with. wishing you the best of luck getting the testing you want asap <333

[somnolent-scout]

guess who has to have a bunch of needles stuck in my leg because apparently the medical industry doesn't have any less barbaric ways to test the nerves and muscles in a human being???

Fuckin.. EMG test arghhhhh