Nerve Conduction Test

[Libuse]

I have just been advised by GP to take a Nerve Conduction Test for peripheral neuropathy that I continue to experience despite self-injecting EOD for the last two years (he knows this). The NHS waiting list is very long and I don’t want to wait 8 or 9 months if the cause is degenerative as he seems to think it may be. In Thyroid Uk of which I’m also a member (hypothyroidism) there is a list of recommended organisations that carry out tests. Is there anything similar re EMGs please? Would welcome any advice

[Jo5454]

Sorry I don't know, but if you went through a private neurologist could it be worth asking if this is something they arrange? Having said that I've contacted a private one recently and theyre booked for next 3 months but willing to put on a cancellation list.....hope u find help u need.

[Libuse in reply to Jo5454]

Thanks Jo but it was my NHS GP who suggested that if I could afford private test it would happen much quicker…..

[Jo5454 in reply to Libuse]

Yes appreciate that, I contacted Spire, who would charge to see a neurologist but said he could then arrange scans etc,so I wondered if a similar thing could be done with nerve tests?

[Libuse in reply to Jo5454]

ah I see. Thank you. I have seen Spire and will investigate further. I guess you weee happy with initial consultation to take it further 😊

[Jo5454 in reply to Libuse]

No I haven't had an appointment yet I was enquiring in case I needed to see someone to check neurological symptoms and maybe help with getting more frequent injections. They've had no free appointments yet,but did say I could be put onto a last minute cancellation waiting list. Seems everywhere is busy these days,but guess it may vary from area to area...

[Pa234aw]

You might want to get you GP to refer you to a NHS neurologist. This happened to me and one of the tests he requested was a nerve conductivity test. I also had MRI and DATscans. The first appointment might take a while to get but my experience was that the tests and scans were arranged very quickly once the neurologist was involved. Despite my symptoms all the tests came back as normal!

But with the wait times in the NHS you might want to consider going private. The first consultation is typically around £200 depending on which consultant you choose., but the tests can be expensive. I don’t know how much a nerve conductivity test would be but it will no doubt be several hundred pounds. (An MRI test is around £700 privately, simple ultrasounds £300+).

Good luck!

[Libuse in reply to Pa234aw]

Thanks very mr.ms Paw 🐾😊My GP is referring me but I live in London and it will take 8 or 9 months hence his suggestion to go privately. I have a feeling that it’s a combination of long term undiagnosed B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism like wise long term un diagnosed but want be ge sure. It’s very kind of you to reply

[BirdlessBox]

I don't know how it works in the UK, but in NZ a private Specialist can refer you back to the public sector for treatment/tests. Don't know whether that would help speed things up.

[Libuse in reply to BirdlessBox]

Yes that happens here too. I live in London and there a very long waiting list for these tests which is why I am willing to go private ❤️

[Ettenent]

In U.S. Maybe there was something wrong with my test or it is dif from yours. They gave me an electric shock after hooking my leg up to machine. I was lying down. It caused me to almost jump off the table because it hurt so bad. They asked me if I was ready for another shock and I said No!!!!! Unhook me!!!! and that was the end of that.

[Libuse in reply to Ettenent]

Thanks for reply. I certainly hope it is different here!

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to Libuse]

I just had my conduction test yesterday. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable 😊 it felt a bit stronger than those electric lightning globes they show in high school science.

It made my feet/hands clench and jerk a bit.

[Libuse in reply to PlatypusProfit8077]

thanks Platypus. Are you in UK? If so did you pay privately? I am trying to find someone reliable to do test privately as NHS waiting list so long 😫

[Libuse in reply to PlatypusProfit8077]

I should have added London area

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to Libuse]

Alas, I’m in Australia. Wish I could help, sorry. I got a referral and was booked in within a month and got most of the fee back (thanks Medicare). To be honest though, if I could choose, I wouldn’t choose him again. He was quite dismissive of B12 but I also appreciate being able to rule out other things so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Libuse in reply to PlatypusProfit8077]

Yes, after I wrote you I thought Platypus probably wasn’t someone based in Europe! I have same problem, want to rule out other things…… 🧐

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to Libuse]

I did choose it for the Aussie connection - such funky little animals, platypuses!

I hope you get your appointment soon!

[Mixteca]

I had nerve conduction tests and an EMG last year. Both came back as normal. I've been injecting EOD for 16 months and in the first few months my PN improved but now it's worse than ever. They only test for long-fibre neuropathy though, not short fibre, which is more likely my issue. A neurologist can arrange that as GP probably won't.

This may interest you:

kch.nhs.uk/gps-and-referrer...

[Libuse in reply to Mixteca]

Thank you very much for this information. I wasn’t aware there was a difference.

[Mashie44]

I had a nerve conductivity test on NHS a while ago. It didn't find any issues even though I had lost reflexes in leg below knee and had been having neuropathy for 10 years particularly in that leg. I still have trouble balancing on it. I'm not sure what they would do differently if they found damage -- for me it just meant my GP was better able to claim I was cured after my loading injections. My neurologist however is FAB! and have seen her twice now (5 year intervals).

[Libuse in reply to Mashie44]

Thanks Mashie. It’s all a minefield, isn’t it? Glad you have a good neurologist at least 😊