Re: New Muscle Biopsy Procedure - Medical Update

[Guest guest]

I thought they always did needle biopsies at that facility. I was

told that if there is a suspected respiratory chain defect, a " large "

(1/4 " x 1 " ) muscle biopsy, with nerve biopsy, is needed.

So I have a scar, but I have a definite diagnosis too. When will you

hear back?

Take care,

RH

> Hi all,

>

> Hope all of the US folks enjoyed a happy Independence Day.

>

> I recently had a second muscle biopsy done at the McMaster Health

> Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The procedure is much less

> invasive than the " take a strip of meat " procedure and the resulting

> noticeable scar. (I had one of those back in 2002)

>

> For those that are curious about the new and less invasive method of

> obtaining a muscle specimen (biopsy) here goes:

>

> While there was the need to wear one of those " revealing " bum

breezer,

> hospital " gowns " I got to keep my BVD's on.

>

> The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

> dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

>

> (The needle used for the local anesthetic was nothing more than I am

> already used to because of having Insulin Dependent Diabetes and

> giving myself 4 " shots " a day)

>

> Once the freezing took, there was a one stitch incision made to the

> outside, middle, upper left leg.

>

> Then a needle like, hollow instrument (small) was inserted past the

> incision and into the muscle. Once suction is applied to the device,

> the biopsy (tissue inside the needle) is cut (snipped at the open

end

> of the needle-like instrument and removed.

>

> I was asked how I was doing throughout the short procedure and I was

> doing just fine.

>

> When the sample had been obtained, I said to the doctor, " that was

so

> easy, you can take two if you want! " And guess what ...

>

> Then, one stitch was put in and an everyday " booboo " band aid was

applied

> over the cut, some cotton dressing for padding and a tensor bandage

> were applied over the " booboo " band aid just to prevent bleeding or

> bruising ...that was it!

>

> There was lots of talk, questions and answers, during, before and

> after the procedure both with the doctor himself and with his

staff –

> ALL of whom are great people! (If I were in a position that required

> people like them to assist me – I'd try to steal them from the Dr)

>

> They're listeners, explainers, friendly and pleasant, have a great

> sense of humor and have the ability to put a patient at ease

> immediately. My wife and I can only think and say positive things.

>

> Afterwards, I had some blood drawn and that was my morning stuff

complete.

>

> That afternoon, at 2:30 I was getting ready for the MRI. (I would

> gladly settle for simple pleasantness – but friendliness and a sense

> of humor seem to be contagious at this facility)

>

> Asked by the receptionist if I was claustrophobic, I told her that I

> haven't had a problem with that in the past (stalled elevators,

> automated security passages that one door has to be completely

closed

> and locked before the other will open) but if I did, I would scream

to

> let them know.

>

> During the scan, I was moved out of the " tunnel " a couple of times

> because of some technical glitch and the staff was very apologetic.

> (I had thought that the " glitch " might have been that they weren't

> finding anything to scan)

>

> So, the day – in spite of the early start, and no nap after

breakfast,

> went very well. And now, the wait for the results.

>

> The only pain that I felt that was in any way related to the testing

> that was done was the result of my getting a lower leg cramp that

> started as I was getting of the table after the MRI.

>

> Ken

>

> PS

>

> I changed the band aid daily and, beginning with the fist one, there

> was no blood present on the gauze portion of the band aid.

>

> After the recommended six days, I had the (one) stitch removed (by

my

> wife) on Monday evening (July 5) There is very, very little to

> indicate that there was a procedure - of any kind, done to the area.

>

> NOTE:

> I understand that Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is going to be a guest on an

> upcoming MDA Chat. You may want to ask him about this new biopsy

> procedure because he is the doctor that performed the procedure

that I

> just wrote about.

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

> Sometimes a person is put in a position where it becomes necessary

to

> make a choice between doing what is right and doing what is

necessary.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken. Glad all went well with your procedure. I too had needle

biopsies a couple of years ago with no success (3 total). Although

they showed some sort of inflammation, an open muscle biopsy was

required for a definitive dx of mito myopathy. I was told the

needle biopsies are much cheaper to perform so the insurance

companies generally require them before paying out for an open

muscle biopsy. I've also heard that they are rarely effective (due

to the poor sample size) for obtaining a dx. After all, an entire

muscle might not be effected. Generally portions of certain muscles

are effected by the disease and other sections or muscles can look

perfectly healthy...therefore, the process of biopsy is hit or miss

anyway. Hence the needle biopsies being less effective. Hope you

have better luck and better health !

Bug

[Guest guest]

I was told that too. I also had a needle biopsy early on the dx search and

there wouldn't be enough tissue to do all the tests needed for a fresh biopsy.

On Tue, 06 Jul 2004 12:12:10 -0000, ohgminion wrote

> I thought they always did needle biopsies at that facility. I was

> told that if there is a suspected respiratory chain defect, a " large "

> (1/4 " x 1 " ) muscle biopsy, with nerve biopsy, is needed.

>

> So I have a scar, but I have a definite diagnosis too. When will

> you hear back?

>

> Take care,

> RH

>

>

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Hope all of the US folks enjoyed a happy Independence Day.

> >

> > I recently had a second muscle biopsy done at the McMaster Health

> > Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The procedure is much less

> > invasive than the " take a strip of meat " procedure and the resulting

> > noticeable scar. (I had one of those back in 2002)

> >

> > For those that are curious about the new and less invasive method of

> > obtaining a muscle specimen (biopsy) here goes:

> >

> > While there was the need to wear one of those " revealing " bum

> breezer,

> > hospital " gowns " I got to keep my BVD's on.

> >

> > The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

> > dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

> >

> > (The needle used for the local anesthetic was nothing more than I am

> > already used to because of having Insulin Dependent Diabetes and

> > giving myself 4 " shots " a day)

> >

> > Once the freezing took, there was a one stitch incision made to the

> > outside, middle, upper left leg.

> >

> > Then a needle like, hollow instrument (small) was inserted past the

> > incision and into the muscle. Once suction is applied to the device,

> > the biopsy (tissue inside the needle) is cut (snipped at the open

> end

> > of the needle-like instrument and removed.

> >

> > I was asked how I was doing throughout the short procedure and I was

> > doing just fine.

> >

> > When the sample had been obtained, I said to the doctor, " that was

> so

> > easy, you can take two if you want! " And guess what ...

> >

> > Then, one stitch was put in and an everyday " booboo " band aid was

> applied

> > over the cut, some cotton dressing for padding and a tensor bandage

> > were applied over the " booboo " band aid just to prevent bleeding or

> > bruising ...that was it!

> >

> > There was lots of talk, questions and answers, during, before and

> > after the procedure both with the doctor himself and with his

> staff –

> > ALL of whom are great people! (If I were in a position that required

> > people like them to assist me – I'd try to steal them from the Dr)

> >

> > They're listeners, explainers, friendly and pleasant, have a great

> > sense of humor and have the ability to put a patient at ease

> > immediately. My wife and I can only think and say positive things.

> >

> > Afterwards, I had some blood drawn and that was my morning stuff

> complete.

> >

> > That afternoon, at 2:30 I was getting ready for the MRI. (I would

> > gladly settle for simple pleasantness – but friendliness and a sense

> > of humor seem to be contagious at this facility)

> >

> > Asked by the receptionist if I was claustrophobic, I told her that I

> > haven't had a problem with that in the past (stalled elevators,

> > automated security passages that one door has to be completely

> closed

> > and locked before the other will open) but if I did, I would scream

> to

> > let them know.

> >

> > During the scan, I was moved out of the " tunnel " a couple of times

> > because of some technical glitch and the staff was very apologetic.

> > (I had thought that the " glitch " might have been that they weren't

> > finding anything to scan)

> >

> > So, the day – in spite of the early start, and no nap after

> breakfast,

> > went very well. And now, the wait for the results.

> >

> > The only pain that I felt that was in any way related to the testing

> > that was done was the result of my getting a lower leg cramp that

> > started as I was getting of the table after the MRI.

> >

> > Ken

> >

> > PS

> >

> > I changed the band aid daily and, beginning with the fist one, there

> > was no blood present on the gauze portion of the band aid.

> >

> > After the recommended six days, I had the (one) stitch removed (by

> my

> > wife) on Monday evening (July 5) There is very, very little to

> > indicate that there was a procedure - of any kind, done to the area.

> >

> > NOTE:

> > I understand that Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is going to be a guest on an

> > upcoming MDA Chat. You may want to ask him about this new biopsy

> > procedure because he is the doctor that performed the procedure

> that I

> > just wrote about.

> >

> >

> > --------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Sometimes a person is put in a position where it becomes necessary

> to

> > make a choice between doing what is right and doing what is

> necessary.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ken--I had a needle biopsy in 1988. It was considered " new " then,

though the surgeon who did it was much less experienced and

knowledgable than Tarnopolsky. Mine was quite different from yours

though. They took 28 pieces of muscle from my thigh, 14 prior to

exercise and 14 after. Yes! And the technique used was extremely

painful, the needle huge in an apparatus that looked much like a

bicycle pump. It took all of the surgeon's strength to push in and

retrieve the tissue and he was a weightlifter. Much worse than an

open biopsy, of which I have had 5. Obviously the technique has been

refined in the intervening years.

From a diagnostic point of view, I am told that the needle biopsies

crush the tissue, which means that certain kinds of abnormalities

may be not be seen. Not sure if the " newer " techniques mimimize this

problem. The biggest difficulty with needle biopsies is getting

enough tissue to perform all the enzyme assays necessary for mito

diagnosis. That's why they are not used much here. My needle biopsy

was for a research project, not diagnosis. They were looking at pre

and post exercise levels of ATP and nucleotides, etc. as well as pre

and post treatment with riboflavin and carnitor.

Hope you get what you need from this biopsy. Sure sounds simple.

BTW, I never have used sedatives with any of my biopsies, just

practice relaxation techniques and think positive thoughts.

Barbara

> Hi all,

>

> Hope all of the US folks enjoyed a happy Independence Day.

>

> I recently had a second muscle biopsy done at the McMaster Health

> Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The procedure is much less

> invasive than the " take a strip of meat " procedure and the

resulting

> noticeable scar. (I had one of those back in 2002)

>

> For those that are curious about the new and less invasive method

of

> obtaining a muscle specimen (biopsy) here goes:

>

> While there was the need to wear one of those " revealing " bum

breezer,

> hospital " gowns " I got to keep my BVD's on.

>

> The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

> dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

>

> (The needle used for the local anesthetic was nothing more than I

am

> already used to because of having Insulin Dependent Diabetes and

> giving myself 4 " shots " a day)

>

> Once the freezing took, there was a one stitch incision made to the

> outside, middle, upper left leg.

>

> Then a needle like, hollow instrument (small) was inserted past the

> incision and into the muscle. Once suction is applied to the

device,

> the biopsy (tissue inside the needle) is cut (snipped at the open

end

> of the needle-like instrument and removed.

>

> I was asked how I was doing throughout the short procedure and I

was

> doing just fine.

>

> When the sample had been obtained, I said to the doctor, " that was

so

> easy, you can take two if you want! " And guess what ...

>

> Then, one stitch was put in and an everyday " booboo " band aid was

applied

> over the cut, some cotton dressing for padding and a tensor bandage

> were applied over the " booboo " band aid just to prevent bleeding or

> bruising ...that was it!

>

> There was lots of talk, questions and answers, during, before and

> after the procedure both with the doctor himself and with his

staff –

> ALL of whom are great people! (If I were in a position that

required

> people like them to assist me – I'd try to steal them from the Dr)

>

> They're listeners, explainers, friendly and pleasant, have a great

> sense of humor and have the ability to put a patient at ease

> immediately. My wife and I can only think and say positive things.

>

> Afterwards, I had some blood drawn and that was my morning stuff

complete.

>

> That afternoon, at 2:30 I was getting ready for the MRI. (I would

> gladly settle for simple pleasantness – but friendliness and a

sense

> of humor seem to be contagious at this facility)

>

> Asked by the receptionist if I was claustrophobic, I told her that

I

> haven't had a problem with that in the past (stalled elevators,

> automated security passages that one door has to be completely

closed

> and locked before the other will open) but if I did, I would

scream to

> let them know.

>

> During the scan, I was moved out of the " tunnel " a couple of times

> because of some technical glitch and the staff was very apologetic.

> (I had thought that the " glitch " might have been that they weren't

> finding anything to scan)

>

> So, the day – in spite of the early start, and no nap after

breakfast,

> went very well. And now, the wait for the results.

>

> The only pain that I felt that was in any way related to the

testing

> that was done was the result of my getting a lower leg cramp that

> started as I was getting of the table after the MRI.

>

> Ken

>

> PS

>

> I changed the band aid daily and, beginning with the fist one,

there

> was no blood present on the gauze portion of the band aid.

>

> After the recommended six days, I had the (one) stitch removed (by

my

> wife) on Monday evening (July 5) There is very, very little to

> indicate that there was a procedure - of any kind, done to the

area.

>

> NOTE:

> I understand that Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is going to be a guest on an

> upcoming MDA Chat. You may want to ask him about this new biopsy

> procedure because he is the doctor that performed the procedure

that I

> just wrote about.

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-

> Sometimes a person is put in a position where it becomes necessary

to

> make a choice between doing what is right and doing what is

necessary.

[Guest guest]

I wonder if they could hook up with orthopedic surgeons and do a

laparoscopic muscle biopsy, would certainly make healing a lot better.

Take care,

RH

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Hope all of the US folks enjoyed a happy Independence Day.

> >

> > I recently had a second muscle biopsy done at the McMaster Health

> > Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The procedure is much less

> > invasive than the " take a strip of meat " procedure and the

> resulting

> > noticeable scar. (I had one of those back in 2002)

> >

> > For those that are curious about the new and less invasive method

> of

> > obtaining a muscle specimen (biopsy) here goes:

> >

> > While there was the need to wear one of those " revealing " bum

> breezer,

> > hospital " gowns " I got to keep my BVD's on.

> >

> > The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

> > dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

> >

> > (The needle used for the local anesthetic was nothing more than I

> am

> > already used to because of having Insulin Dependent Diabetes and

> > giving myself 4 " shots " a day)

> >

> > Once the freezing took, there was a one stitch incision made to

the

> > outside, middle, upper left leg.

> >

> > Then a needle like, hollow instrument (small) was inserted past

the

> > incision and into the muscle. Once suction is applied to the

> device,

> > the biopsy (tissue inside the needle) is cut (snipped at the open

> end

> > of the needle-like instrument and removed.

> >

> > I was asked how I was doing throughout the short procedure and I

> was

> > doing just fine.

> >

> > When the sample had been obtained, I said to the doctor, " that

was

> so

> > easy, you can take two if you want! " And guess what ...

> >

> > Then, one stitch was put in and an everyday " booboo " band aid was

> applied

> > over the cut, some cotton dressing for padding and a tensor

bandage

> > were applied over the " booboo " band aid just to prevent bleeding

or

> > bruising ...that was it!

> >

> > There was lots of talk, questions and answers, during, before and

> > after the procedure both with the doctor himself and with his

> staff –

> > ALL of whom are great people! (If I were in a position that

> required

> > people like them to assist me – I'd try to steal them from the Dr)

> >

> > They're listeners, explainers, friendly and pleasant, have a great

> > sense of humor and have the ability to put a patient at ease

> > immediately. My wife and I can only think and say positive things.

> >

> > Afterwards, I had some blood drawn and that was my morning stuff

> complete.

> >

> > That afternoon, at 2:30 I was getting ready for the MRI. (I would

> > gladly settle for simple pleasantness – but friendliness and a

> sense

> > of humor seem to be contagious at this facility)

> >

> > Asked by the receptionist if I was claustrophobic, I told her

that

> I

> > haven't had a problem with that in the past (stalled elevators,

> > automated security passages that one door has to be completely

> closed

> > and locked before the other will open) but if I did, I would

> scream to

> > let them know.

> >

> > During the scan, I was moved out of the " tunnel " a couple of times

> > because of some technical glitch and the staff was very

apologetic.

> > (I had thought that the " glitch " might have been that they weren't

> > finding anything to scan)

> >

> > So, the day – in spite of the early start, and no nap after

> breakfast,

> > went very well. And now, the wait for the results.

> >

> > The only pain that I felt that was in any way related to the

> testing

> > that was done was the result of my getting a lower leg cramp that

> > started as I was getting of the table after the MRI.

> >

> > Ken

> >

> > PS

> >

> > I changed the band aid daily and, beginning with the fist one,

> there

> > was no blood present on the gauze portion of the band aid.

> >

> > After the recommended six days, I had the (one) stitch removed

(by

> my

> > wife) on Monday evening (July 5) There is very, very little to

> > indicate that there was a procedure - of any kind, done to the

> area.

> >

> > NOTE:

> > I understand that Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is going to be a guest on

an

> > upcoming MDA Chat. You may want to ask him about this new biopsy

> > procedure because he is the doctor that performed the procedure

> that I

> > just wrote about.

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

-

> -

> > Sometimes a person is put in a position where it becomes

necessary

> to

> > make a choice between doing what is right and doing what is

> necessary.

[Guest guest]

Dear Ken,-I had a needle biopsy years ago( nmaybe 12) it was quite

abnormal, but I have since encountered physicians who won't even

consider the results since it was " only " a needle biopsy. I would

however be very interested in this new techinique, since being a

Canadian seeing a mito doc at nearby Toronto, that might be something

for me to push for (haven't had a biopsy in 10 years). How reliable is

the technique supposed to be? Celia-- In ,

" ohgminion " wrote:

> I wonder if they could hook up with orthopedic surgeons and do a

> laparoscopic muscle biopsy, would certainly make healing a lot better.

>

> Take care,

> RH

>

>

>

> > > Hi all,

> > >

> > > Hope all of the US folks enjoyed a happy Independence Day.

> > >

> > > I recently had a second muscle biopsy done at the McMaster Health

> > > Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The procedure is much less

> > > invasive than the " take a strip of meat " procedure and the

> > resulting

> > > noticeable scar. (I had one of those back in 2002)

> > >

> > > For those that are curious about the new and less invasive method

> > of

> > > obtaining a muscle specimen (biopsy) here goes:

> > >

> > > While there was the need to wear one of those " revealing " bum

> > breezer,

> > > hospital " gowns " I got to keep my BVD's on.

> > >

> > > The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

> > > dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

> > >

> > > (The needle used for the local anesthetic was nothing more than I

> > am

> > > already used to because of having Insulin Dependent Diabetes and

> > > giving myself 4 " shots " a day)

> > >

> > > Once the freezing took, there was a one stitch incision made to

> the

> > > outside, middle, upper left leg.

> > >

> > > Then a needle like, hollow instrument (small) was inserted past

> the

> > > incision and into the muscle. Once suction is applied to the

> > device,

> > > the biopsy (tissue inside the needle) is cut (snipped at the open

> > end

> > > of the needle-like instrument and removed.

> > >

> > > I was asked how I was doing throughout the short procedure and I

> > was

> > > doing just fine.

> > >

> > > When the sample had been obtained, I said to the doctor, " that

> was

> > so

> > > easy, you can take two if you want! " And guess what ...

> > >

> > > Then, one stitch was put in and an everyday " booboo " band aid was

> > applied

> > > over the cut, some cotton dressing for padding and a tensor

> bandage

> > > were applied over the " booboo " band aid just to prevent bleeding

> or

> > > bruising ...that was it!

> > >

> > > There was lots of talk, questions and answers, during, before and

> > > after the procedure both with the doctor himself and with his

> > staff –

> > > ALL of whom are great people! (If I were in a position that

> > required

> > > people like them to assist me – I'd try to steal them from the Dr)

> > >

> > > They're listeners, explainers, friendly and pleasant, have a great

> > > sense of humor and have the ability to put a patient at ease

> > > immediately. My wife and I can only think and say positive things.

> > >

> > > Afterwards, I had some blood drawn and that was my morning stuff

> > complete.

> > >

> > > That afternoon, at 2:30 I was getting ready for the MRI. (I would

> > > gladly settle for simple pleasantness – but friendliness and a

> > sense

> > > of humor seem to be contagious at this facility)

> > >

> > > Asked by the receptionist if I was claustrophobic, I told her

> that

> > I

> > > haven't had a problem with that in the past (stalled elevators,

> > > automated security passages that one door has to be completely

> > closed

> > > and locked before the other will open) but if I did, I would

> > scream to

> > > let them know.

> > >

> > > During the scan, I was moved out of the " tunnel " a couple of times

> > > because of some technical glitch and the staff was very

> apologetic.

> > > (I had thought that the " glitch " might have been that they weren't

> > > finding anything to scan)

> > >

> > > So, the day – in spite of the early start, and no nap after

> > breakfast,

> > > went very well. And now, the wait for the results.

> > >

> > > The only pain that I felt that was in any way related to the

> > testing

> > > that was done was the result of my getting a lower leg cramp that

> > > started as I was getting of the table after the MRI.

> > >

> > > Ken

> > >

> > > PS

> > >

> > > I changed the band aid daily and, beginning with the fist one,

> > there

> > > was no blood present on the gauze portion of the band aid.

> > >

> > > After the recommended six days, I had the (one) stitch removed

> (by

> > my

> > > wife) on Monday evening (July 5) There is very, very little to

> > > indicate that there was a procedure - of any kind, done to the

> > area.

> > >

> > > NOTE:

> > > I understand that Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is going to be a guest on

> an

> > > upcoming MDA Chat. You may want to ask him about this new biopsy

> > > procedure because he is the doctor that performed the procedure

> > that I

> > > just wrote about.

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------

> -

> > -

> > > Sometimes a person is put in a position where it becomes

> necessary

> > to

> > > make a choice between doing what is right and doing what is

> > necessary.

[Guest guest]

I know I have been a stranger lately but I finally am catching up with emails

and wanted to say thank you for this information

I have an appointment with a neurologist scheduled for September 2nd and I am

figuring that from what my Rheumatologist has told me at my last appointment

that I am going to have to go through a muscle biopsy ... and before reading

your post I was so worried as to what was going to happen if I had to get one

done and what was all involved in the procedure ... and if I end up having to

have one done I am going to request that it be this less invasive version ...

Thanks again for your perspective ... I hope you are doing well

~ Gwenni ~

New Muscle Biopsy Procedure - Medical Update

Hi all,

Hope all of the US folks enjoyed a happy Independence Day.

I recently had a second muscle biopsy done at the McMaster Health

Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The procedure is much less

invasive than the " take a strip of meat " procedure and the resulting

noticeable scar. (I had one of those back in 2002)

For those that are curious about the new and less invasive method of

obtaining a muscle specimen (biopsy) here goes:

While there was the need to wear one of those " revealing " bum breezer,

hospital " gowns " I got to keep my BVD's on.

The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

(The needle used for the local anesthetic was nothing more than I am

already used to because of having Insulin Dependent Diabetes and

giving myself 4 " shots " a day)

Once the freezing took, there was a one stitch incision made to the

outside, middle, upper left leg.

Then a needle like, hollow instrument (small) was inserted past the

incision and into the muscle. Once suction is applied to the device,

the biopsy (tissue inside the needle) is cut (snipped at the open end

of the needle-like instrument and removed.

I was asked how I was doing throughout the short procedure and I was

doing just fine.

When the sample had been obtained, I said to the doctor, " that was so

easy, you can take two if you want! " And guess what ...

Then, one stitch was put in and an everyday " booboo " band aid was applied

over the cut, some cotton dressing for padding and a tensor bandage

were applied over the " booboo " band aid just to prevent bleeding or

bruising ...that was it!

There was lots of talk, questions and answers, during, before and

after the procedure both with the doctor himself and with his staff -

ALL of whom are great people! (If I were in a position that required

people like them to assist me - I'd try to steal them from the Dr)

They're listeners, explainers, friendly and pleasant, have a great

sense of humor and have the ability to put a patient at ease

immediately. My wife and I can only think and say positive things.

Afterwards, I had some blood drawn and that was my morning stuff complete.

That afternoon, at 2:30 I was getting ready for the MRI. (I would

gladly settle for simple pleasantness - but friendliness and a sense

of humor seem to be contagious at this facility)

Asked by the receptionist if I was claustrophobic, I told her that I

haven't had a problem with that in the past (stalled elevators,

automated security passages that one door has to be completely closed

and locked before the other will open) but if I did, I would scream to

let them know.

During the scan, I was moved out of the " tunnel " a couple of times

because of some technical glitch and the staff was very apologetic.

(I had thought that the " glitch " might have been that they weren't

finding anything to scan)

So, the day - in spite of the early start, and no nap after breakfast,

went very well. And now, the wait for the results.

The only pain that I felt that was in any way related to the testing

that was done was the result of my getting a lower leg cramp that

started as I was getting of the table after the MRI.

Ken

PS

I changed the band aid daily and, beginning with the fist one, there

was no blood present on the gauze portion of the band aid.

After the recommended six days, I had the (one) stitch removed (by my

wife) on Monday evening (July 5) There is very, very little to

indicate that there was a procedure - of any kind, done to the area.

NOTE:

I understand that Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky is going to be a guest on an

upcoming MDA Chat. You may want to ask him about this new biopsy

procedure because he is the doctor that performed the procedure that I

just wrote about.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sometimes a person is put in a position where it becomes necessary to

make a choice between doing what is right and doing what is necessary.

Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

[Guest guest]

> The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

> dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

I wanted to mention that I had only local anesthetic (no sedatives)

when I had my 2 inch muscle biopsy done in Atlanta, since I was

pregnant at the time. Yes, there's a scar, but they did find answers

luckily, so I hope to avoid any future muscle biopsies. I think my

root canal was a lot worse, and the EMG I had was a lot worse in

terms of pain.

My understanding is that they do general anesthesia for muscle

biopsies in kids only.

At one point, I started getting some pain and they just put some

extra anesthetic in the area. It was sore for a day or two, but I

was able to stay off that leg for most of the next two days, and that

helped a lot.

I also was supposed to have a spinal tap, but they started it and I

had to tell them to stop - not because of pain, but because my other

leg was completely numb from the hip down. Like I had no leg...

They told me they hadn't even done anything yet, just put some local

anesthetic in, and I said, " too bad, you're done! " Luckily, the lack

of leg feeling subsided in about an hour.

Take care,

RH

[Guest guest]

RH

I think it depends on the situation and people doing the biopsy as to what

is done.

My first was done on my upper leg with local anesthetic and nothing into the

muscle as they felt it would affect results. That was painful. The next one

was in my lower leg and I had a short acting general. Number three was in my

arm with a local. My forth (in my upper leg) was with a local in Atlanta and

my fifth (near the first one) was done with a spinal. This doesn't count the

first one which was a needle biopsy with a local.

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:13:56 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: New Muscle Biopsy Procedure - Medical Update

>

>> The procedure involves a local anesthetic w/ no sedatives. So any

>> dopiness that may have been seen was simply me!

>

> I wanted to mention that I had only local anesthetic (no sedatives)

> when I had my 2 inch muscle biopsy done in Atlanta, since I was

> pregnant at the time. Yes, there's a scar, but they did find answers

> luckily, so I hope to avoid any future muscle biopsies. I think my

> root canal was a lot worse, and the EMG I had was a lot worse in

> terms of pain.

>

> My understanding is that they do general anesthesia for muscle

> biopsies in kids only.

>

> At one point, I started getting some pain and they just put some

> extra anesthetic in the area. It was sore for a day or two, but I

> was able to stay off that leg for most of the next two days, and that

> helped a lot.

>

> I also was supposed to have a spinal tap, but they started it and I

> had to tell them to stop - not because of pain, but because my other

> leg was completely numb from the hip down. Like I had no leg...

> They told me they hadn't even done anything yet, just put some local

> anesthetic in, and I said, " too bad, you're done! " Luckily, the lack

> of leg feeling subsided in about an hour.

>

> Take care,

> RH

>

>

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

> are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

> entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

> responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

> physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

> automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

>

>