Why would a neurologist order 3 tests: EMG, EEG & MRI?!
Question: I've been having one-sided spontaneous muscle spasms that occur in my right arm/hand and right foot for the past month. These episodes usually last about 30 seconds. I'll have anywhere from 3 or 4 to 30 of these a day. I saw a neurologist this morning who performed an EMG and had nothing to say except "you should have an MRI on your brain" and then he had me go directly and have an EEG. Again, not a word was said to me about anything that this might be and now they have me scheduled for an MRI next week. I am scared to death. Why wouldn't they mention what it might be? Why would I need all three of these tests. Somebody please help. I'm scared to death.
Answers: I've been having one-sided spontaneous muscle spasms that occur in my right arm/hand and right foot for the past month. These episodes usually last about 30 seconds. I'll have anywhere from 3 or 4 to 30 of these a day. I saw a neurologist this morning who performed an EMG and had nothing to say except "you should have an MRI on your brain" and then he had me go directly and have an EEG. Again, not a word was said to me about anything that this might be and now they have me scheduled for an MRI next week. I am scared to death. Why wouldn't they mention what it might be? Why would I need all three of these tests. Somebody please help. I'm scared to death.
The bedside manner of neurologists is notoriously bad. It looks like the neurologist hasn't been able to even guess at the cause of your spasms, so he is gathering more information. There's no need to be scared - this is an odd symptom, so the good thing is that it is not some obvious indication of a serious problem. The bad news is that it might be difficult or even impossible to figure out the cause.
The three tests give different info - the EMG looks at local electrical impulses in the muscles - the spasms could be originating in the muscles themselves for some reason.
The EEG characterizes your brainwaves/brain activity. An abnormal pattern of activity could show up and be a possible cause for the spasms. Something like narcolepsy can cause these spasms, and it would show up on an EEG.
An MRI will show lesions, tumors, or physical abnormalities that could be the cause of an abnormal EEG. Something like multiple sclerosis would show up with an MRI.
In the mean time, try taking a magnesium supplement with meals and bed time. Its a long shot, but low magnesium levels can cause these types of spasms, so you could get lucky and solve the problem. If magnesium is going to work, it will be apparent in a day or two. There are also certain medications that can cause spasms as a side effect, so you might also consider suspending any prescription medications after talking with the doc that prescribed them.