EMG and nerve conduction study question

[disfan07]

If anyone here has had an EMG/nerve conduction study, were you able to drive home afterwards or did they recommend having someone drive you home?

We are just trying figure out if I will be able to drive back to school afterwards (About a 45 minute drive...all highway in LA) or if we should be planning on me coming back home with my parents and than driving back down to school the next day.

I've heard that it is really painful which just has us concerned that I wont be comfortable driving right afterwards.

Thanks

 

[luvthatdisney]

I had one done last summer and I would not call what I felt "pain", but it was a little uncomfortable. I went alone and was able to drive afterwards. It took about 30 minutes as I had all extremities done - due to some strange numbness/tingling I was having in my feet.

Just to add, after I lost 80 pounds, the tingling has all but disappeared. I do believe it has something to do with my back and since I have greatly improved physically and I do exercise, I think it is fixing my problem.

Good luck to you and I really think you would be able to drive home afterwards.

 

[Nette]

I agree that you should be ABLE to drive, but you may not WANT to. I found the needle pat of the tests extremely uncomfortable and was pretty mentally wiped out from forcing myself to remain still...

Good luck!

 

[Rora]

I had one done.. I was able to drive home but certainly didn't want to. I wanted to lay down in the car and just relax.

Honestly, I'd bring someone with you that can drive you home. Good luck!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I thought it was uncomfortable, and a couple of sticks hurt. That was it for me. The needles used are so tiny.

Driving home wasn't even a consideration. I didn't have anyone else to drive me. And it was fine. Good luck. I hope you find answers that help.

 

[RUDisney]

I drove to Philadelphia, 2.5 hours from my house to have this done, then I drove 2.5 hours home when it was finished... with a stop at Ikea to see what they had new in the Marketplace.

It really wasn't a big deal at all. I never considered not driving both ways by myself even though I couldn't feel my two smallest fingers on my left hand.

 

[MrsToad]

I have had at least 4 rounds of these tests and have always driven myself. The centers never even suggested having someone drive, but I am sure much depends upon the individual patient and their symptoms. I do, though, cringe every time I'm told it is time to repeat these tests; they are not comfortable for me at all. Once the tests were over, though, any pain was gone and I was fine to drive. Good luck with your tests.

 

[JessicaR]

I guess it depends on the person mostly and maybe the area of the EMG. I had my spine and legs done. Was not pleasant by any means but I did drive myself home without a problem at all.

 

[mookie]

Too funny this post....I just got back from my EMG today. I'm having numbness, tingling and pain in my left leg and arm. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not horrible. I guess I had one in my leg that didn't respond like it should, and that one when the DR put the needle in nearly shot me through the roof! But it was over quickly. All in all, right now I feel pretty good...drove myself home. My whole left side is pretty sore and weak right now, but I dont think it's anything a little rest won't fix. Now I'm just hoping to get this over with and get the results soon! Best of luck to you!

 

[disfan07]

I'm having it done on my legs and my spine. We'll probably just end up seeing how I'm feeling afterwards adn we'll just plan on me not driving back to school and see what happens.

Anyone who has legs and spine done, how long did it take? We were told to expect to be there between 1 1/2 -2 hours.

 

[mookie]

I didn't have spine, but I had about 6 areas tested in both arm and leg. Total time was about 45 minutes to an hour.

 

[daisyduck123]

I had it done a couple of months ago....no biggie(was in my left arm). I was fine as soon as it was over. Never even considered not driving, or anything like that....no after-effects at all. (Getting a filling is worse than the nerve-conduction study, IMO).

 

[Piper]

I have had many of these and even when they did both legs and arms had no problems driving. You will be fine!

 

[JessicaR]

I'm having it done on my legs and my spine. We'll probably just end up seeing how I'm feeling afterwards adn we'll just plan on me not driving back to school and see what happens.

Anyone who has legs and spine done, how long did it take? We were told to expect to be there between 1 1/2 -2 hours.

Thats what I had done. The time you were quoted is correct. If you take anti-inflammatories on a regular basis they ask that you dont for a week prior to the test. I followed directions but still had bleeding. Stopped quickly after though. I had extensive nerve damage and it was very uncomfortable when they hit those nerves.