Is it really Myopathy?

[AngyFox]

Greetings!
I have read up about the pinned threads and how an EMG of a classic case of ALS would look like, but I just want to at least have some form of assurance that it is not ALS, just a bit of paranoia I guess, I just want to know if these results would be pointing towards ALS

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hi there-

We would not contradict what is a very clear (all caps even!) diagnostic result from your EMG. If you have questions about your electrodiagnostic testing, your best bet is to speak with your neurologist, as they have your full medical history, know your reported symptoms, have examined you, and now have the EMG and NCS results to provide further insight.

Please take care

 

[AngyFox]

I have no doubts and I'm REALLY hoping that it is not wrong, I just wanted to know if the results would at least be somewhat similar to ALS as I wait for to get my Biopsy done next week

 

[lgelb]

An inflammatory myopathy is much better news than ALS -- generally more treatable. And the muscle biopsy will help confirm the diagnosis much better than we could.

 

[AngyFox]

So like, theres nothing in this EMG that might say theres a chance for it to be ALS? Im aware of needing a medical history for ALS to be considered a suspicion, but based from EMG alone, this is safe right? Nothing to doubt about the diagnosis given?

 

[lgelb]

Myopathy, being a primary disorder of the muscles, does show up differently on EMG than ALS, a primary disorder of the motor neurons that control the muscles.

There is therefore no reason to doubt that your problem is not ALS.

Think of it as the difference between trying to start your car and getting that "ignition click" where you can tell the battery or alternator is dead, vs. starting the car but then the engine dies. It's pretty hard to mistake one for the other.

 

[drewidia]

AngryFox, they are recommending getting a muscle biopsy if you want piece of mind. Do that..

They suck but can rule out MM etc - that will quickly rule in/out myopath vs neurogenic sources. I had one a week ago after my diagnosis related to a genetic finding (variant of unknown significance) as mito involvement is a possible thing - it was negative as expected.

Your report also points to symmetric findings. Generally ALS is ASYMETRIC (mine for instance started heavy on the right (dominant) side and then spread somewhat to the left) and keep in mind both Upper and Lower Motor involvement.

Bottom line: Trust the report. Get the biopsy and in the meanwhile trust your docs - it's not a "great finding" but as Igelb said it's also more treatable.

Last point, I NEVER had a clean emg that was remotely suggestive of myopathy. Yours says it clear. Also if they had doubts they would have put "code words" in like "in the right clinical context".