I can see how this test is one that's difficult to assuage patients' fears about - they're zapping us with electricity! I cracked up on the table they had me lying on. The tech asked me what was so funny, and I asked her, "Ever seen the movie Men In Black?" All I could think of was Tony Shaloub's line when Agent K blows his head off, and it suddenly re-grows, "Do you have any idea how much that STINGS‽"

After that I went through another laughter attack, thinking of an early Simpson's episode when the family goes to Dr. Marvin Monroe and he gives them each a button with which they can zap other family members with jolts of electricity. I told the tech that patients should all be given similar buttons, so we could zap them (or the doctors) every time they tell us "This may sting a little." etc. I would have enjoyed that. (BWAHAHAHAHA!)

The same thing happens when I go for a blood draw... "You may feel a little pinch." A LITTLE PINCH? I got really deep (and small) veins, and those vampires go at it like they're drilling for oil!

Nevertheless, we have to put these things in perspective, and as with all things medical, weigh the benefits vs. risk (or discomfort/pain in this case). They're trying to find out some important information for dx or treatment, and there are far worse things (including medical tests) than the nerve zaps and needle jabs. Lumbar punctures (spinal taps) for one. With advances in medical electronics, I'm a little surprised there haven't been any significant improvements in nerve conduction studies to utilize much lower voltages (or some other electronic "tricks") in the past 50 years. (One of the problems I had with my first PN test was that the neuro's equipment was an oscilloscope that was manufactured before I was, and hadn't been inspected/serviced in more than 12 years!) I mean.... look how far they've come with 3D movies!!!

Doc