EMG Test

[peilynne]

On Monday I am scheduled for an EMG test. Since July I am experiencing functional/strength loss in my right hand. My latest MRI in August looks okay after many consults with my neurosurgeon. Whew! But all of us,my ns, physiatrist, and occupational therapist are at a loss as to why I'm losing function. I do use my arm/hand for everything. So, now they are doing an EMG. I'm trying really hard not to let this get me down. I really need to get this problem solved!

[bethann]

Lynne,

I hope they can find out what is causing this so you can work on getting stronger!

Beth

[1214]

My neuro loves doing those tests... I have had 3. I wish you luck and hope all goes well. let us know.
Dawn

[abprops]

Ok

So whats an EMG then?

Morris

[1214]

Basically in non technical terms it is a test where they hook up a machine and torture your muscles with shocks through needles to test for nerve damage. The neuros are sadistic and love doing these...LOL..

[betty]

Dawn,
I love your description. lol
My first EMG showed activity at the sight of my tumor, then was sent for the MRI and sure enough that is where it was.
Glad you had clean mri's. Hope they can figure it out.

[peilynne]

So my EMG test showed no blockages in my circulation. That test hurts like no tomorrow! My physiatrist decided to do both arms, so one hour was devoted to shock, and the other hour to needles in my muscles.
At least the MRI showed tumor growth but "not measurable", and this test came back okay,no carpal tunnel or blockages.
Still, this leaves me wondering why I suddenly lost strength in my arm and hand, more in my hand. The occupational therapist measured my strength in July and it was 3.5, down from 4, and now I'm at 3 in October. If only someone could invent "finger weights" I'd be all set.
Frustrating, its harder to do everything.
Lynne

[tc]

Lynn, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of strength in your hand. I'm sorry you had to endure the EMG also. You mentioned needing hand exercises:

Here's an exercise that I found in a carpal tunnel book: put a rubberband around your fingers and stretch the rubberband out. To work other muscles in my hand, I squeeze those squishy "stress" balls. Besides squeezing a bigger ball, you can put two smaller balls in your hand and work different hand muscles by rolling them around in your hand.

There's also a thing called "Gripmaster" which exercises each finger separately. It was invented for guitar players.

www.cleverjoe.com/articles/gripmaster_hand_finger_exerciser.html

All that said, I am still getting weaker. It is discouraging to be losing ground despite exercise! I pray that God would keep you and all of us encouraged.
Teresa
p.s. - after I wrote this, I read your post about wanting to throw the vegetables across the room because you couldn't slice them. I'm sorry I also read that you already do hand exercises, but maybe my ideas will help someone else.

[Todd]

Lynne, you are an inspiration. your profile quote says it all. it's frustrating when the docs can't help. I wish you well and am sorry you are having to go through this.

sometimes, you just want to say, "enough, already!"

todd

[peilynne]

Thanks everyone for all your words of encouragement. This is just a little "blip" on the radar,and hopefully if I keep at the hand exercises my strength will improve.

Thanks TC for mentioning the "Gripmaster". I had forgotten about that. Originally after my surgery I had no strength in my hand and that little tool helped a lot. I picked one up yesterday. I also have a stress ball, and resistance putty that I work with. One exercise I do is to take toothpicks and put them deep in the putty and then pull them out to help with pinch.

I used to use the elastic band as well so I'll start that again as well.

At occupational therapy they also have different colored clothespins that you practice putting on a line and taking off. Forty four days after my surgery I could use all five colors, now I can only do three.
So, hopefully if I stay vigilant with my exercises I'll got back to where I was.

That's why this forum is so good, the sharing of information.

Thanks all,
Lynne