Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 13, 2016
Welcome to Connect @monc. Here is some information about nerve conduction study from Johns Hopkins http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/neurological/nerve_conduction_velocity_ncv_92,p07657/
A related procedure that may be performed is electromyography (EMG). An EMG measures the electrical activity in muscles and is often performed at the same time as NCS. Both procedures help to detect the presence, location, and extent of diseases that damage the nerves and muscles. In this video, Dr. Eric Sorenson discusses the EMG (Electromyography) test.
Monc - have you had a nerve conduction study? What are you and care providers investigating?
Welcome to Connect @monc. Here is some information about nerve conduction study from Johns Hopkins http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/neurological/nerve_conduction_velocity_ncv_92,p07657/
A related procedure that may be performed is electromyography (EMG). An EMG measures the electrical activity in muscles and is often performed at the same time as NCS. Both procedures help to detect the presence, location, and extent of diseases that damage the nerves and muscles. In this video, Dr. Eric Sorenson discusses the EMG (Electromyography) test.
Monc - have you had a nerve conduction study? What are you and care providers investigating?
Yes I've had 2 nerve conduction tests one in May - which showed a difference between left & right - left being compromised, but it was presumed to be possible technical fault. The test was repeated in August & there was a 50% difference between the left & right hand - left being compromised. If you could provide me with an email address id be happy to send you a copy of my latest result. We're not entirely sure what is going on - there have been varied diagnoses since Feb. I've had voice loss for just over 6 months, numbing & swollen arm on the left with some fringers going blue - mostly the thumb. Left chest pain, lower back pain. Severe fatigue, nausea is the latest. In May I had MRI of brain & cervical spine which came back normal. I have a dry almost strained cough. The main thing is the nerve test result & whether that is within normal range? Carpal tunnel syndrome has been ruled out - thank goodness!
There's also been a recent occurrence (July) where an acute rather painful left sided headache has caused a left sided facial droop which thankfully has not reoccurred. If any insight or advice into what might be the cause or what to look for could be offered I would be very grateful.
@monk The painful left-sided headache along with the facial droop sounds concerning. Have you talked with your doctor about this since it happened? Neurological problems can be difficult to diagnose, but the more info a physician has regarding symptoms the better it is. How long did the facial droop last? Best wishes as you work to resolve these symptoms!
Yes I have but sadly this was dismissed by the ER doctor ... The whole episode lasted a good few hours as it happened at work & I was transported to a hospital. The ambulance people were also quite dismissive making diagnosis they had no business making. The 'diagnosis' these doctors are making - after speaking to a neurologist who treated me in May - with no explanations or diagnosis, whom I've reported but was dismissed by the head of the hospital group after conversing with her - is completely ludicrous as my symptoms do not seem to be going for very long. When they do return however, they return worse than before. After the new doctors speak to this particular doctor from May just dismiss me and that's that really. Consequently I have no faith in the doctors here, sadly. Either I need to obtain answers this way or go back to my Chinese doctor.
Yes I have but sadly this was dismissed by the ER doctor ... The whole episode lasted a good few hours as it happened at work & I was transported to a hospital. The ambulance people were also quite dismissive making diagnosis they had no business making. The 'diagnosis' these doctors are making - after speaking to a neurologist who treated me in May - with no explanations or diagnosis, whom I've reported but was dismissed by the head of the hospital group after conversing with her - is completely ludicrous as my symptoms do not seem to be going for very long. When they do return however, they return worse than before. After the new doctors speak to this particular doctor from May just dismiss me and that's that really. Consequently I have no faith in the doctors here, sadly. Either I need to obtain answers this way or go back to my Chinese doctor.
@monk I'm so sorry to hear that you symptoms were not addressed to your satisfaction and that you felt dismissed. Do you live in an area with a large medical school? It sounds like a second opinion is needed. If you are able to do that, bring paper copies of all previous reports and test results and a journal of your symptoms with approximate dates and details. This will help a new doctor to see your problems more completely. Best wishes and keep in touch.
That's precisely what I've already done, hence my original question re nerve coduction test - whether a 50% difference between left & right is within normal range?
The new doctor spoke to the neurologist from March then decided to go with that 'diagnosis' so basically normal doctors are just of no use to me & seeing as I can't obtain an answer from here either it's seems quite useless. Thanks anyway
@monc I certainly can't speak to what you should do, however, if I were in this situation I think I would keep trying to find a doctor who would hear me and want to take the time to listen. It is important for us to all be our own patient advocate. I hope you find the answers you need. Take care and keep in touch.
@monc please don't give up hope. Teresa is correct, you have to learn to be your own advocate and keep probing and asking the tough questions. I have PMR and my recent EMG was worse in my left arm than the right one. I did a quick search on your earlier symptom - left sided headache and left facial droop and was surprised by how many conditions are associated with these two symptoms - 71. http://symptomchecker.webmd.com/multiple-symptoms?symptoms=drooping-of-one-side-of-face%7Cheadache&symptomids=299%7C115&locations=5%7C2. I hope you find some answers soon and can let the group know. Take care...
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 13, 2016
@monc - Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community where you can share your experiences, ask questions, get tips and find support from other patients. I agree with Teresa and John that you should seek to find medical consultation with a care provider who will work with you as a partner. Should you wish to get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, please call the contact numbers on this webpage http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 to request that your medical records be reviewed by Mayo Clinic doctors.
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Welcome to Connect @monc. Here is some information about nerve conduction study from Johns Hopkins http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/neurological/nerve_conduction_velocity_ncv_92,p07657/
A related procedure that may be performed is electromyography (EMG). An EMG measures the electrical activity in muscles and is often performed at the same time as NCS. Both procedures help to detect the presence, location, and extent of diseases that damage the nerves and muscles. In this video, Dr. Eric Sorenson discusses the EMG (Electromyography) test.
Monc - have you had a nerve conduction study? What are you and care providers investigating?
Yes I've had 2 nerve conduction tests one in May - which showed a difference between left & right - left being compromised, but it was presumed to be possible technical fault. The test was repeated in August & there was a 50% difference between the left & right hand - left being compromised. If you could provide me with an email address id be happy to send you a copy of my latest result. We're not entirely sure what is going on - there have been varied diagnoses since Feb. I've had voice loss for just over 6 months, numbing & swollen arm on the left with some fringers going blue - mostly the thumb. Left chest pain, lower back pain. Severe fatigue, nausea is the latest. In May I had MRI of brain & cervical spine which came back normal. I have a dry almost strained cough. The main thing is the nerve test result & whether that is within normal range? Carpal tunnel syndrome has been ruled out - thank goodness!
There's also been a recent occurrence (July) where an acute rather painful left sided headache has caused a left sided facial droop which thankfully has not reoccurred. If any insight or advice into what might be the cause or what to look for could be offered I would be very grateful.
@monk The painful left-sided headache along with the facial droop sounds concerning. Have you talked with your doctor about this since it happened? Neurological problems can be difficult to diagnose, but the more info a physician has regarding symptoms the better it is. How long did the facial droop last? Best wishes as you work to resolve these symptoms!
Yes I have but sadly this was dismissed by the ER doctor ... The whole episode lasted a good few hours as it happened at work & I was transported to a hospital. The ambulance people were also quite dismissive making diagnosis they had no business making. The 'diagnosis' these doctors are making - after speaking to a neurologist who treated me in May - with no explanations or diagnosis, whom I've reported but was dismissed by the head of the hospital group after conversing with her - is completely ludicrous as my symptoms do not seem to be going for very long. When they do return however, they return worse than before. After the new doctors speak to this particular doctor from May just dismiss me and that's that really. Consequently I have no faith in the doctors here, sadly. Either I need to obtain answers this way or go back to my Chinese doctor.
@monk I'm so sorry to hear that you symptoms were not addressed to your satisfaction and that you felt dismissed. Do you live in an area with a large medical school? It sounds like a second opinion is needed. If you are able to do that, bring paper copies of all previous reports and test results and a journal of your symptoms with approximate dates and details. This will help a new doctor to see your problems more completely. Best wishes and keep in touch.
That's precisely what I've already done, hence my original question re nerve coduction test - whether a 50% difference between left & right is within normal range?
The new doctor spoke to the neurologist from March then decided to go with that 'diagnosis' so basically normal doctors are just of no use to me & seeing as I can't obtain an answer from here either it's seems quite useless. Thanks anyway
@monc I certainly can't speak to what you should do, however, if I were in this situation I think I would keep trying to find a doctor who would hear me and want to take the time to listen. It is important for us to all be our own patient advocate. I hope you find the answers you need. Take care and keep in touch.
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1 Reaction@monc please don't give up hope. Teresa is correct, you have to learn to be your own advocate and keep probing and asking the tough questions. I have PMR and my recent EMG was worse in my left arm than the right one. I did a quick search on your earlier symptom - left sided headache and left facial droop and was surprised by how many conditions are associated with these two symptoms - 71. http://symptomchecker.webmd.com/multiple-symptoms?symptoms=drooping-of-one-side-of-face%7Cheadache&symptomids=299%7C115&locations=5%7C2. I hope you find some answers soon and can let the group know. Take care...
@monc - Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community where you can share your experiences, ask questions, get tips and find support from other patients. I agree with Teresa and John that you should seek to find medical consultation with a care provider who will work with you as a partner. Should you wish to get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, please call the contact numbers on this webpage http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 to request that your medical records be reviewed by Mayo Clinic doctors.
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