EMG and nerve conduction study

[disfan07]

Has anyone had an EMG and/or a nerve conduction study?

My neurologist just scheduled me for one in a couple of weeks because I don't have the amount of feeling in my lower legs and feet as I'm supposed to and all of my labs came back normal for a cause so I have to have this done to try and get a better idea of the extent of the damage and to help to lead him towards a reason why it happened.

I have heard that the nerve conduction study is painless but that the EMG does hurt because of the needles they put into the muscles.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Yes, an intramuscular EMG hurts. You need to accept that it is necessary to help get to the cause of your problem.

An EMG involves sticking needles into the affected area and measuring the response of muscles as you contract them. The process is repeated many times in various places in the muscle being tested. Not fun.

The Nerve Conduction Study involves sending an electic current along a nerve between two needles and measuring aspects of the response. Not as bad, but also not fun.

Sorry you need this. Hopefully it will help provide some answers in your case.

 

[livie1205]

OMG I just had one of those...yeh hate to tell you but it hurt like heck!!no one told me it was going to hurt like that lol first it was getting shocked by what looks like a taser then he stuck needles up and down my arm,hand and neck area....a few of them bleed a little! BUT pp is right...it needs to be done in order to help you and it will all be over after a few minutes. Also I am a big baby when it comes to needles so it may have been worse for me then it will be for you.

 

[bfeller]

I had the EMG last year. I thought the actual test was more uncomfortable than the needle insertion was. I do remember saying to the doctor if my brothers had come with this test (torture). The test can be uncomfortable bordering on painful but it only lasts a little while and that is what kept me under control. I knew that I wasn't going to experience that pain for an extended time.

By the way, my prognosis ended up being diabetic neuropathy

Good luck

 

[yoopermom]

I've had a few, and when I was done, I had definite sympathy for Frankenstein. I think having a good dr do it really helps. One I had asked me to rate, to myself, each "zap" on a pain scale, and it made me focus on how different parts of my body reacted differently from others. At least for me, the ones in the "fatty" parts didn't hurt as much (relatively speaking) whereas the ones for my spine, well they really hurt. Did you ever touch an electric fence as a kid? I did, and this seemed sort of similar.

Results are important, though, so just go to your happy place, and reward yourself afterwards...

Terri

 

[disneyaddicted]

I just had an EMG/nerve conduction study done a couple weeks ago on my leg. It hurt a little, was very uncomfortable, but it really didn't hurt as much as I had thought it would. The Dr told me each time he was going to insert the needle so I was able to try and relax each time. It wasn't so much the needle being put into the muscle that hurt, but he had to wiggle it around each time, and that hurt, but it's only for a few seconds each time and really after the first few it seemed to hurt less, maybe my endorphins kicked in to lesson the pain.

My only advice, don't go in expecting the worst pain ever, and try to relax as best you can.

 

[swandiverpatt]

I have a pain behind my right knee that turned out to be a pinched nerve in the L5 region of my spine. Found this out via a nerve conduction test (after an ultrasound, an x-ray, an MRI, and a cortisone shot in the knee!)

I had no idea what to expect and the shocks were anywhere from uncomfortable to painful (but not "pain so horrible I couldn't stand it" pain).

Best wishes and hope for a good diagnosis!

 

[disfan07]

thanks.

I'm not usually a wimp when it comes to needles. (ive had ultrasound guided IVs and central lines before) so i'm hoping it's not too bad.

My doctor ran full labs and could not find anything. He was concerned that maybe it was undiagnosed diabetes but they tested for diabetes and that's not the case.

The worst part about the entire thing is that I am having the test done on my birthday. It's quite the way to spend my 21st birthday...lol

 

[4nana]

Sending best wishes, I had the procedure done a few years back. I prepared myself for the worst, altho it was uncomfortable, it was not near as bad as I thought. Hopefully your dr will make as many adjustments as can be tolerated so you are not in a lot pain. No, not a fun gift for your birthday!

 

[daisyduck123]

I had a nerve conduction test done about 2 months ago due to numbness in my left arm. It hardly bothered me at all & did not last but a few minutes.

The test results were normal. I had an MRI done two days later & that clearly showed my problem....two discs (I believe #8 & #9, but I'm not positive) are pressing into my spinal cord, causing inflammation, & that is what's causing the numbness.

I've been on medication to reduce the swelling & the numbness has pretty much disappeared.

Have you had an MRI?

Good luck & I hope everything turns out alright!