Today I had my nerve conduction study, EMG test, Electromyogram, to see how my nerve damage from GBS is coming. This is the test I’ve been waiting to see. I previously had an EMG test done in November which had poor results. The previous one showed nerve damage not only to the myelin but axonal as well due to the severe case of GBS. Unfortunately I have Guillain Barre Syndrome AMSAN, the worst GBS variant which severely damaged my nerves.
Nerve Conduction Study EMG
The nerve conduction study, EMG test, is a medical diagnostic test to assess nerve damage and dysfunction and the health of muscles and nerves that control them. For the nerve conduction study it measures the speed and strength of signals traveling between two points. I had the same nerve conduction technician as last time. She performs the first part of it by placing electrode stickers on my skin, arm and leg. The neurologist came in later to do the EMG part of the test with needles.
EMG Test – Electromyogram
For the EMG portion of the test results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with the signal transmission between the nerves and the muscles. My neurologist then places a needle electrode inserted directly into a muscle which then records the electrical activity in that muscle. He placed it in my lower leg, upper leg, hand and also in different muscles in my arm. Does this part of the EMG hurt? Not really, little discomfort only.
Nerve Conduction Study EMG Test Results
After the nerve conduction study and EMG test was completed the neurologist went over the results with me. There has been improvement since last time but there is still no response for quite a few nerves. There was severe damage due to the variant of a GBS that I had.
In my lower right leg he was able to get response on one nerve fibre which I didn’t have last time. The hope is that the nerves will all continue to heal. My upper arm is strong, more muscle growth and activity probably due to all the wheeling I do in my wheelchair. My lower arm still no response or not much at all. I have muscle wasting between my thumb and index finger. He says that I’ve improved a lot from last time. The hope is that my nerves will heal in time. My next neurologist appointment with him will be in 6-9 months.
Hope Going Forward
My hope is that I will continue to see improvements going forward as I recover from Guillain Barre Syndrome. I hope my nerves continue to heal. My fear is my lower arms, hands and wrists. Right now I don’t have much in them. I cannot grab or squeeze anything with my hands or lift up my wrists. There is some movement but not much.
I continue to improve so I can only hope that it will continue going forward. I’m doing more now then I thought I ever would such as getting up out of bed. With Guillain Barre Syndrome recovery is slow, but progress continues to happen. Hopefully my drive, will and determination will lead me to full recovery. My recovery from GBS goes on.
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With Guillain Barre Syndrome – GBS