EMG nerve test

[Cathy777]

I have possible trapped nerve/nerve damage and have been booked in to have this procedure. I have read some horror stories about this and how painful it is. Anyone got any experience? Thank you.

[Hidden]

I had one done about 20 years ago. It didn't cause me any pain. They place electrodes on you to measure or record how well your nerves respondes to stimulation. The electrodes just gently stimulate your muscles to record your nerves. No real pain involed, just a slight pinching feeling I had.

[Cathy777 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks but there are two parts to it I believe and the bit you describe is the first part which is as you describe with electrodes. But the second part of the procedure they insert needles into your muscle and that is where it gets painful! I looked on YouTube and it looks awful and is described as being tasered. My doc said it was not pleasant but I guess it depends on your pain threshold. It detects trapped nerves in your body. I am in such pain I will endure anything. But nerve damage is not curable I am told..just pain management. But at least it explains why I am in such discomfort and why my fingers are all numb.

[Hidden in reply to Cathy777]

I'm sorry, I don't think I remember any needles or I must of blocked it out of my mind. Come to think of it I had the nerve test when I had MS, so I guess that's why I had no pain.

Do they think you have a pinched nerve or is it something neurological?

[Cathy777]

Nothing is sure yet. I am just getting a lot of pain generally and three fingers in particular look like it could be caused by trapped nerve. But I have pain in both hands and wrists, neck, back. She says it could all be nerve damage but these tests should show up what is happening. I have had mysterious pain in my chest too which I thought was connected to my mastectomy but it isn't and could be nerve pain too. Its all so complicated. I started bio drug for RA and didn't seem to be getting any better but it may be due to this nerve problem. Not sure it comes under neurological. Having ultrasound tests too. Bit anxious about this test though as it seems some people just can't endure the pain and have to stop. I don't want to be one of them! You had MS which must have been horrendous. I didn't realise you could be cured of that. You obviously overcome it thankfully which is encouraging for others.

Sorry to waffle. Doc has started me on rotten steroids again but have no choice right now.

X

[Hidden in reply to Cathy777]

MS is not curable yet. Hopefully in the future. I was one of the 3%-7% of people who go into spontaneous remission. This is known as begnine MS. I was very lucky.

[Cathy777 in reply to Hidden]

Oh right. You were lucky then as that is a very small percentage. Like you haven't had enough to deal with already. You deserved to be 'lucky' for once. X

[oldtimer]

Have a look back through posts on here - I seem to remember at least two posts where people had had this done. As far as I remember the posts didn't imply anything awful!

[Cathy777 in reply to oldtimer]

Good! And thank you. I am probably worrying unnecessarily but as my rheumy doc said it was not pleasant and then seeing horror stories on YouTube.... You know what its like. I am sure I have had worse things done! But thanks for taking the time to respond and reassure me. X

[Hidden in reply to Cathy777]

I'm like you Cathy777 always researching on the internet. Not always a brilliant thing to do.

[Cathy777 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I know

[Cathy777 in reply to oldtimer]

Oh yes just found a few comments from people who have had this done. The needles are not big and no one seems to think it was that bad. Just a bit weird by the sound of it as your body contorts without your being in control of it. Well I get like that after a few glasses of merlot !

[MrsBones123]

I've had this procedure done twice over the years for neuro. probs and no, it's not like being tasered! (Not that I've ever been tasered, but that's a very high voltage weapon and the EMG uses only a small current)

I'd describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful and the drs who did mine were very kind, and kept asking if I was alright to continue with the next area.

It's over before you know, honestly. Wouldn't hesitate to have another if I needed one. And I'm a bit of a wuss, lol.

[Cathy777 in reply to MrsBones123]

Oh thanks! That is so reassuring. I think a lot of people make it sound worse than it is on YouTube . I bet most of them have not experienced real pain. I feel much better! X

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Cathy. I've had both to confirm my Consultant's diagnosis of carpal tunnel & it's really nothing to be overly worried about. At the time my left arm & shoulder were quite painful anyway & most of my hand numb (thumb, index & middle fingers) because of the nerve entrapment so that may have some bearing in how much I felt but my memories of the procedure are of giggling, mostly due to surprise but also because I had no control over my arm spasming & jumping. That said my right arm was also tested & whilst I'd not had symptoms it confirmed I had problems with that too, that didn't hurt either. I think it all took around about half an hour. I can't tell you much more because they were done in a Spanish hospital & as I'd had no other dealings with the Neurology dept (apart from the op to release the median nerve) I understood little of the medical terms used but I know I amused them!

I hope your experience is similar, maybe without the hysterics though. Forewarned is forearmed! x

[Cathy777 in reply to nomoreheels]

Oh thanks. I expect having a giggly patient was a novelty. I will think of you now and get the giggles too! Not got a date yet so it could be a while state of my hospital. It sounds very similar to your symptoms with the numbness in fingers. Just when my RA bio drug could be showing signs of working something else happens! Its never ending. Gotta laugh tho!

[earthwitch]

It can vary from pretty much totally painless (bit of a tingle) through to a quite annoying twitchy feeling. Generally they start with very low pulses and if they don't get enough response work up. If it does get too much for you, just tell them to stop that bit. If you can concentrate on relaxing while they do it, it doesn't seem to be quite so irritating.

[Cathy777 in reply to earthwitch]

Thanks. Yes relaxing....as soon as I am told to relax I tense up more! But I think I know this can be uncomfortable so I will tell them if it gets too much. I think we all have different levels of sensitivity too.

[Kariss]

Hi Cathy. I'm not sure if this is exactly the same test but I had a nerve conduction test for carpal tunnel three years back which involved sticking little pads on my fingers and wrists and passing an electric current through to test for responses. It was not painful at all, just a bit uncomfortable and involved no needles. I went on to have the carpal tunnel release op...painful at the time but so glad I did now!

[Cathy777 in reply to Kariss]

Yes this is the first part of the test which is relatively OK but there is a second part which involves needles and this is the more intense part! I assume it varies depending on what they are looking for. But thanks and I am sure I will survive! I don't believe mine is related to carpal tunnel.