Guest guest Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Ditto on that WOW. I have been reading and I have a question: On the EMG what are they looking for? My first one showed or they said it did a myopathy. Then recently an RNS test was done and with my legs being so sensitive, he actually had to hold down my leg as it just went nuts. He wanted to do it again and said no way, I can't handle it. It seems my nerves must be on the surface and are very tender. Don't even touch my shins. Others were talking about how ugly their legs have become, well if I move my foot up, my shin sucks in. It's really gross. I have even noticed it in pictures where I am standing or sitting and my legs are revealed, you can see the separation. So far my arms are not doing this. However it feels like my ribs are trying to separate. Ya know that pain one gets when they have ran, well, it's like that most of the time. Especially if I move quick or in a certain manner it will send a sharp stab and take my breath away. Since we do not have an actual DX, I don't know if this is connected or not. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Dear Mark, You really explained upper and lower motor neuron very well! The best explanation ever for me. One question: If one extension cord starts to go bad #4(upper motor neurons) can extension cord#3(lower motor neurons) eventually go bad. Or is it only one set of neurons go bad upper or lower? Does that make sense??? Thank you. UMN's and LMN's > It occurs to me that I have made a simple subject complicated. > > Picture the connection from a light switch to a light bulb via two > extension cords. > > Flipping the light switch sends electricity down the first extension > cord. That extension cord connects to the second extension cord. > The electricity then goes to the other end of that second extension > cord and lights the light bulb. > > The light switch is the brain. The first extension cord is an upper > motor neuron (UMN). The second extension cord is a lower motor > neuron (LMN). The light bulb is a muscle fiber. > > The only way to light the light bulb (a muscle fiber) is for the > electricity from the light switch (the brain) to travel through both > extension cords (UMN and LMN). Whether the muscle fiber is in the > arm, hand or big toe, the signal must travel through both extension > cords--an UMN and then a LMN. > > To activate a muscle in the hand, a nerve impulse goes from the > brain, down a short UMN that extends down the spine only to about > shoulder level where it ends. (UMN's come in varying lengths, just > like extension cords.) At that point, the signal goes from the end > of the UMN to the beginning of a LMN. The signal continues down the > LMN that extends out from the spine, down the arm to the hand, where > it connects to a hand muscle fiber. > > To activate a muscle in the lower leg, a nerve impulse goes from the > brain, down a much longer UMN that extends down near the end of the > spine where it ends. At that point, the signal goes from the end of > the UMN to the beginning of a LMN. The signal continues down the > LMN that extends out from the spine, down the leg to the lower leg, > where it connects to a lower leg muscle fiber. > > There are four ways in which the light bulb will fail to work. > First, the light switch could be defective. (Something wrong in the > head. Our neurologists have ruled out that possibility with MRI's.) > > Second, the light bulb can be defective. (Our muscles are OK--the > doctors have ruled out that possibility.) > > Third, the second extension cord (LMN's) could be defective. (An > EMG exam tests for that. It is not our problem.) > > Fourth, the first extension cord (UMN) could be defective. THAT is > our problem. We weren't born that way, but something is slowly > destroying our UMN's. > > Is this any more understandable? > > Mark > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Elizbeth My shins do the same thing. It was the first thing I noticed when I developed my first symptom in my left leg back in 1999. I showed it to the neurologists. I measured my legs from ankles up to thighs with a tape measure. there was a definate difference in size at the calf. My leg continued to shrink to the point of I didn't have to point it out anymore. Then my right shin did the same thing. Now it is in my lower arms. Where muscles use to be , there is nothing but bone you feel. My shins of course are bone too when you feel them. My thighs on the top are getting there too. I have not lost any weight however. I put on 20 lbs when I was on steroids. Have been off them now for a year. (maybe lost 5 lbs) My fingers turn under on myy left hand. My toes are just starting to turn under and my feet inward. I haven't been able to move my toes now for quite awhile. sherry DX 7/02 ALS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 Mark, A GREAT job. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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