I thought I had better update this thread - the EMG was one of the most uncomfortable tests I have ever had to endure. The initial part wasn't too bad, as it is essentially electrical impulses applied via straps or sticky pads placed onto the skin. The latter part, however, was a lot less pleasant - the needles are a fair length, and hollow with a sensor in the middle apparently, and they get stuck in a fair old depth. This was unpleasant enough on my legs and arms, but when it moved to my forehead and around my left eye - - yowza! Not nice at all. Anyway, at the end of it, the consultant doing the tests said that I do not have myasthenia gravis - so, back to the drawing board then....... a follow up appointment was made with the neurologist, which was yesterday afternoon. The neurologist that I had seen has moved on to pastures new, so I have been passed on to another neurologist who read all the notes and then did his own examination, paying particular attention to my eye. Long story short, he is utterly convinced that it IS myasthenia gravis, despite all the tests being negative - or at least, he is sure that it is myasthenia affecting my eyes; so sure is he, that he is putting me on a course of drugs to go back and see him in three months and see if the drugs help. Meanwhile, fibromyalgia has been mentioned as an alternative answer for the pain etc that I have had for years - anyone know anything about fibromyalgia? A colleague's wife has it, and he has mentioned to her some of the things he knows or has seen with me, and she is convinced that I should be pushing my GP to get me back to a rheumatologist and have this explored.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience but the positive side is that something has been ruled out. I had those nasty probes years ago when I suffered from Syncope and it was decided after ruling out brain impulses/epilepsy, they decided that perhaps it was pernicious anaemia. Luckily the tests didn't cause me much agro other than for a few day. I can still hear the scrunching sound as they inserted those needles/probes right into bone. Fibromyalgia apparently is one of the toughest diagnosis to narrow down to and I know that there are a lot of naysayers but I've seen it and it is not to be sniffed at. I hope you find a solution and right quick. sending you a datastream of my hugs and strength (I'm a VERY powerful old broad) and I will also send good vibes as @"M" will do too
@CanadianLori I fully agree with that. Diagnosis is difficult. So difficult that Doctors here at least tend to diagnose it by ruling out everything else it could be. Although it cant be cured at present, there are to a certain extent, ways of controlling it or at least alleviating it.[/QUOTE]
I'm sorry you had a rough time with the tests FC. Even now it doesn't seem certain whether you have MG or not. My daughter has Fibromyalgia and was diagnosed last year, to be honest from her symptoms I don't think you have it. I'm off to PM you.
I have two friends with Fybro and some of your symptoms sound similar to theirs but lots don't.. Sometimes we have to go through the same test several times to get the result though and I know that is not pleasant.. Please don't just let them assume they are right as they are not the ones suffering..
Well, the letter has arrived, so I need to make a doctors appointment ASAP to get the meds. I have also kind of accepted that my days of repairing electronics are coming to an end - I am now really struggling when it comes to the really fine work (surface mount discreet components and IC's), to the point that I am now worried that I might end up damaging something rather than repairing it. Got to be honest..... this realisation has knocked the crap out of me, emotionally at least. Really pissed off with my body right now. All I can do now is hope and pray that the medication at least stops things where they are, or at least limits it significantly, so I can still enjoy everything else.
Let's hope that the meds make you feel better FC, even though that will probably confirm the MG, and a diagnosis how ever much it's not wanted will give you and your doctors something to work with. I'm sorry that you're struggling with electronics too. Is the fine work problem because of your eye sight? It's been a long and tough road for you but don't give up, even though you're struggling at the moment.
Partly @Sheal - detail isn't too much of a problem, it is depth of field that scuppers me; when coupled with hands that just don't want to do what I want them to do...... All of this is not helped by the fact that electronics are so much smaller than they used to be, especially the surface mount stuff. In reality, there is no effect on my livelihood etc, as I only repair now for the fun of it and to help people out, but it feels like a bit of a bereavement if that makes sense - coming to the realisation that I can't really do something that I have always been able to, and was reasonably good at - its a defeat.
I understand where you're coming from about the electronics as my son is a qualified technician. I was wondering if there was some form of engineered aid that would let you carry on with it, but being fine work probably not - short of a robot. It does make sense and it's a hard blow but not a defeat, when one door shuts another opens and you will find something else to replace it if you've got the will to move on. If it's any consolation my brother has recently decided to give up restoring vintage motorcycles because it's such heavy work, he has now turned to woodwork making things for his garden. Planters, bird table etc. Something will turn up and take you down a different road, after all it was only a few years ago you discovered gardening and look where that's taken you.
