Can a doctor keep the truth from you?

[LKP1231]

Both neuros I went to have said the abnormalities on my emg for my legs are from back issues. The first one got a little wishy washy when I pressed him for info but the second, a neuromuscular doctor who is also a teacher says not to worry, it's due to the back and is not ***. I'm just worried when I follow up things will have progressed and he will say well now you have new symptoms....now it could be ***. Can they do that? He said if he was concerned at all he would send me to the city. He didn't and told me I do not need to see more doctors. I wish I hadn't seen the emg, wish I'd never had it.

[SecretAgentMan]

To think that not one, but two doctors are holding out on you is paranoia. You may wish you never had that emg now, but it is done. Don't make the same mistake and go down the paranoia route. No matter how slim or unlikely the chances are of something bad happening, you'll find a way to convince yourself that you're living it. Have you ever considered a chiropractor? Spinal alignment issues CAN pinch nerves and cause issues, especially in the arms and legs. First and foremost I'd start seriously looking into ways of shifting your attitude and focus in life. If there is one common element most of the people on this forum had when their symptoms came roaring into their lives it was a strong tendency towards stress, fear, and worry. If you don't fix that, don't expect anything to change. You'll just keep creating things to worry about because that is what the mind has been trained to do. Fortunately the mind does learn new habits and new tricks, but you just have to know how to do it.

[LKP1231]

I know I sound silly doubting both doctors. If my emg was clean it would be sillier. And certainly if the second doctor had any doubts he'd pass me along to a super specialist. I'm just confused bc what I read about emg results, this one isn't good. For motor nerves to be affected without injury is hard to believe there is nothing to worry about. That my discs etc could cause this so suddenly (it's not considered chronic) is just weird. From anything I've read it shows disease present or at least the possibility.

[SecretAgentMan]

I understand, believe me. I am just trying to provide some outside perspective based on my own experiences. Many years ago I had all the symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome where my fingers would get all tingly, especially when I rested my hands to type on the keyboard. My GP even said I looked like I was in the early stages and to keep an eye on it. It wasn't until later when I was at a chiropractor for my BFS woes that the carpel tunnel discussion came up. I had already gotten a confirmation from an MD and pretty much accepted that this is what I had. I was resigned to deal with they symptoms until one day they got bad enough to require surgery. You know what though? The chiropractor had an alternate suggestion and asked if I would mind letting them check out and adjust my neck. I agreed and after about 5 minutes tops and nothing more than a few gentle taps from a small rubber tool they use we were done. The next day I noticed an incredible difference. The tingling in my fingers was gone, even when I typed. Just because an MD says something doesn't make it so. Just because an entire philosophy of medicine follows a logic to their method of diagnosis, does not mean that there is not an easier and simpler path. Lots of MDs poo poo chiropractic because they don't believe in it. No matter what people think or believe and no matter what their numbers, what is simply is and nothing can change that. No matter what you have you are not helpless against it. You just need to find the right help and the right tool for the job. Your attitude and mind will always be a factor, and an important one. The rest will usually follow and fall into place once you address that.

[Yuliasir]

For motor nerves to be affected without injury is hard to believe there is nothing to worry about.

but if you have back issues, you DO have trauma of lower motor units. Just not denegnrative but physical one due to compression/inflammation.

you do not have the most important part of ALS - neither prominent clinical issues, nor UMN signs in addition lolower motor neuron damages. And all your read is filtered throug huge filter of fear in a way to say you that you are sick.
I did not hear what exactly your first neuro told you after quite a pressure you put on him, and, what is most important, let me tell you that most probably you also may not hear him exactly. This is a bit like news headlines are made: it says "Arnold Shwarzenegger solds hot dogs for living" - you read it in a deep amusement just to found that Mr. Terminator plays a hobo in his new movie. Each word itself is clear and correct, but they make you to perceive an imaginary situation as a real one. So most probably your first doctor also did not mind to tell you what you feel he told.

Doctors do not have any reason, neither medical, not personal or ethical, to hide such important information from you, mostly becasue they might be accused for that lately. If they say you are Ok, then you are OK. If two of them, of which one is an MND specialist, say you are OK - then you are really physically OK and only your spirit needs attention (which is a huge job to do believe me)

[LKP1231]

He basically said he wasn't totally ruling it out yet. Was trying not to diagnose it and since he feels the back issues could be responsible he would rather explore that than mistakenly diagnose a deadly disease. But initially he told me without question that it was not ***.

[LKP1231]

The neuromuscular doctor seemed much more sure.

[Yuliasir]

in other words he told you: LMN signs itself do not have any signature saying specifically that this is due to degenerative denervation and not due to trauma.
Ok, he would not like to diagnose you falsely with fatal disease so he send you to more experienced colleague who finally confirmed his initial decision (favourable for you). So the cykle is practically closed for now.

[LKP1231]

Ok I will try to look at it that way. Things I have read seem to point to disease. It's bad I know the details of the report. Umn can start after, but I just have to hope this is where it stops.

[Yuliasir]

Linda

DOES YOUR REPORT SAYS: SUSPECTED ALS DIAGNOSIS?

if not, then you misinterpret details. Basta, as our Italian friends are used to say.

[Yuliasir]

Ok, when UMN will start (if any), you would not have any doubts then.

Seems like oyu have well over several months of this ordail, usually at that time neurodegeneration of both local and central units would be evident. two doctors agree that your MEg does not sugest ALS but suggest back issues. Having back issues is much more common that ALS.

[LKP1231]

No it doesn't say that. It's only been just over two months so even though it seems like an eternity, it hasn't been very long yet.