I am scheduled to have an EMG next week out of town, after suffering for 4 years with numbness and weakness in my arms and hands, shoulders, and nerve pain in my feet and legs, as well as some sciatica. I do have degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, scoliosis and have had prior back surgery.

It is about a 4 hour drive to where I will be taking the test. Will I be ok to drive home alone after the test?

Is the test done without a verbal indication from me regarding the pain level that I am feeling or is it all done by machine? Some days are far worse than others and I am concerned that by doing one test on one day, might not give the true results.

Can someone please explain to me what to expect?

Thank you so much!

I could not drive 8 hours in one day by myself if I didn't have any kind of tests done. I would plan on getting a motel room.

The EMG test was not fun when I had it.

EMG consists of tiny needles stuck deep into muscle, then moved around (pulled in and out). The needles are attached to wires that are attached to a computer or computer-like machine. Sounds HORRIBLE, but if the person knows what they are doing, NOT bad. I've had it once, my sister has had it twice. When my MG specialist did each of us, virtually painless. When another doc did my sister's test, it HURT!

The machine makes a crackling noise that is somehow important (I'm not medical, so I don't know why). The doc listens to this noise AND looks at a computer/monitor screen to see "something". He didn't ask me or my sister anything during the test -- except to sometimes "flex/tighten/move" a muscle. The noise and the visual on the screen answer the doctor's questions.

The EMG has no side-effects that I know of. As soon as it is over, you are fine. You might have a few tiny little pin-point bruises the next day -- like you got an injection.

The RNC on the other hand.....the test from @#&*^%!!! For my sister, who also has neuropathy, pretty easy. For me.....................I thought I was gonna DIE!! I called the thing a TASER -- cause that is what it sort of looks like and definitely what I think it feels like as it SHOCKS the poop out of you!!!

I was completely exhausted by the RNC. Couldn't have driven to the corner market.

Actually, I'm with Celeste. With MG, I could NOT drive for 8 hours in one day! I have trouble driving TWO hours (and ALWAYS have a back-up driver in the car with me, just in case).

What is RNC? I looked it up on the internet, and all I could come up with was the Republican National Committee. I think the probability is great that you are not referring to that RNC.............

Repetitive Nerve Conduction is what I was intending. I think it is also called Repetitive Nerve Stimulation and maybe a few other things????

I just say it is the thing I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do again!!

That must be the one where they shock you with an electric cattle prod over and over and tell you to hold still. I agree. I won't be playing that game again.