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View Full Version : Looking for answers, suggestions - had EMG today


JLW
10-06-2006, 11:19 PM
The EMG on my lower leg/right foot was quite an experience. The one I had on my arm and hand a few years back was so simple, almost no ouchies.

This one was a LOT different! Although, I'd say about 90% of it was fine. It was just the last few needle placements that took my breath away and actually got me nauseated. She even did a few on my left foot for comparison on a couple spots.

1. I have some muscle atrophy in a few places on my right foot. The neuro doc told me the atrophy is not recent, that it most likely was caused by the nerve being strangled in scar tissue before surgery.

2. And get this -- part of my symptoms is phantom pain -- she said you can have phantom pain anytime you have a nerve cut, that it doesn't only pertain to amputations. Just great. A pain that doesn't really exist. Should have known since the one pain was at the area where I can't feel anything.

3. So I asked her if I actually did have Peripheral Neuropathy since this muscle stuff and phantom pain was identified. She said yes, there is some.

4. She agreed with the other neuro (who is leaving for Florida) that I should try the Lyrica. She seems to think the nerves are still healing some, and that the Lyrica could help with the pain. Heck, next month makes a year since the surgery. Just how slow is my body at healing????

She explained about the atropy and neuropathy areas as she was doing the testing, and then after she was done I sat up and she went through it again. I thought how great is this, she is telling me again so there won't be any prob with remembering it all.

Guess what?

I don't remember it all. Guess cause I was nauseated and still a bit woozy from the foot pain from the last couple of muscle jabs she had to do. I plan on asking for a copy of the report she sends to my PCP next week. Then I'll have all the info. I need to contact them anyhow, cause I remember her saying I should have a follow-up appointment after I've been on the Lyrica for a bit to see how I'm handling it, but I don't remember what time frame the appt was to be for.

My memory sucks lately.

I know this may sound bad, but I am glad something showed up on the test. At least it is proof positive that something is messed up, so the docs don't have to think I'm just nutso and imagining pains. The other side of the coin is that I'm unhappy that what showed up cannot fully be fixed.

Ugh.

Do any of you know if atrophied muscles can be worked on and damage reversed?

Have any of you taken Lyrica with good results?

HeyJoe
10-07-2006, 03:07 AM
Hi JLW, Nerves can regrow if they arent still being damaged and if you arent smoking, about 1 mm a day. I just had my fifth emg/ncs after which the doctor who did , who is not my doctor, said you might not have only PN in your arms. I asked if I should worry and he said he couldnt answer . 9 days later, which is today I went to neurologist and saw report and it is PN and carpal tunnel. Nothing to worry about and why make me wonder for 9 days. When you get the report see what type of PN you have, axonal, demylinating etc.

suse3349
10-07-2006, 06:34 AM
I was on Lyrica for a short time. It did absolutely nothing for me. I'm on 60 mgs. of Cymbalta now.
I have some muscle atrophy in my RT arm and shoulder secondary to a stroke I had about 10 1/2 years ago. I'm in contact with a physical therapist who's advised me to use little to no weight to start; increasing weight only when I can do high reps w/o pain. It will take time, but it's my understanding that muscle atrophy can be reversed.
suse :o

Silverlady
10-07-2006, 09:33 AM
I'm taking it now, but I'm not sure how much good it's doing, still have a fair amount of pain. But my dosage is pretty small at this point. The neuro is ramping me up VERRRRy slowly.

Billye

dlshaffer
10-07-2006, 10:55 AM
I have been on Lyrica since spring and doing very well with it. I do have some burning in the evening if I have been on my feet a lot during the day. I am/was on 100 mg three times a day. During my appointment on Thursday, just changed dosage to 150 mg two times a day. I also take Tramadol, mostly at night. I just love the medicine and it has worked wonders for me after trying Neurotin and Tegretrol, each for about two years apiece.

Diana Shaffer:o

jannaw
10-08-2006, 04:12 PM
It seems that no matter what we all take we all still live with the pain to some degree, I was switchd to Lyrica in July after Cymbalta made me so nauseous that I was unable to eat much and losing weight, which I can't afford to do. Finally a drug that is working for me without much in the way of side effects, short term memory loss, such as did I take my pills already? That one is frustrating, so I don't take more....I try to associatie it with something like the color of my glass. I just got back from the store and my feet are on fire, maybe that is why I put off going for so long. It's nice to have this place back up, summer was raging pain for my PN and my lower back problems and CRASH we lost our support group, hope it never happens again.
Missed you all-Janna

JLW
10-08-2006, 05:15 PM
Yeah, it seems all I am reading lately is the "burning feet" stuff.

Sure had that yesterday. Took my mom shopping. Seems like each week or two the burnings get a little more intense.

Doc is starting me at 50mg of Lyrica once a day for a week, and then each week I increase by 25mg. Supposed to do that to get to a dosage of 150mg per day. Sure hope it helps.

I do have an interesting looking bruise on the top of my foot near my toes from the EMG. But at least now I know for sure what the enemies are in my foot and lower leg.

Nice to meet you guys. I hope you all have a pleasant Sunday. :)