Hi - I've had many of these studies since got PN - both the NCS (nerve conduction study part which is usually done first) then the emg portion.... as far as prep - Mrs D's suggestions sound good..... I've always had to wear a gown for the tests - they do my whole body each time and trunk, neck, etc... but if only arm or leg will be faster and easier... (maybe wear sweats so they can just be be pulled up and out of way?)

Every doctor seems to have their own style and some hurt (but just briefly) some not.... I just see as necessary evil and grin and bear it... the ncs portion you are given shocks - depending on nerve being done - may hurt (any shock is gonna hurt if the nerve can feel it - but its very fast and over before you can blink on each one)... the emg portion of the test is usually saved for last, and I've found docs, even if a tech did the first portion, do the emg portion... sometimes I never feel the needles - only once did I have an emg by a resident who seemed to try to inflict as much pain as possible - which since then has never been repeated by any other doc and was apparently unnessesary to inflict the extra pain... a very thin needle is used and inserted iunto a specific area the doc is looking at - and the patient needs to cooperate with tensing and untensing the area being tested - but again - if does hurt - will be brief and end result what is crucial.

Hope all goes well - the test can be very important diagnostic tool - I went for months before my HMO at the time would send me to a neuro to find out what was going on - one visit and we knew where to go from there after this test