Hi All, I have had peripheral neuropathy for about 10 years. I found out because I was having a toenail removed and the podiatrist looked at me like I was a dummy and said you have neuropathy.

Fast forward to the last couple of years and I am seeing a pain dr. I went to the pain dr. mainly for pain in my neck due to cervical surgery. I have never had a nerve conduction study or any test for that matter re: the pn. The neuropathy pain is 24 hours a day about a 7/8. I take 1800 gabapentin, vicodan 7.5 , flexeril, 4 different types of medicine for bi-polar one of which is Zanax.

I finally got health insurance after my job took ours away 4 years ago. I went to my primary care dr. and told him I had been researching pn and thought I might have CMT. He didn't look at my feet or legs or anything for that matter and promptly said no you don't have it. I have a great grandmother that had what I would now call pn and her feet were so deformed she could hardly wear shoes. My grandmother had very painful neuropathy. None of us have/had diabetes. I have skinny ankles and calves losing muscle tone. I also have hammer toes on my two big toes. I often feel like my toes are being pulled backwards by an invisible string. My ankles are very weak and hurt.

On the 24th of this month I am going to a neurologist and having a nerve conduction test done. I told my Dr. I wanted to at least find out what kind of damage was being done to the nerves in my feet. so that's how I got the referral.

I hope and pray that I can find out what kind of neuropathy I have. I don't imagine there will much preventative stuff I can do. At least I will have official verification of pn and hush up any doubters. I feel like people discount the pn because I don't have diabetes.

Two questions please. Does the nerve conduction study hurt? Also will they have the results immediately?

My apologies for rambling on and on. I have taken up enough of ya'lls time, just wanted to say howdy from bf west texas.

Hi Evanlynn 13,

Welcome, and sorry you are suffering.

Quote:

Does the nerve conduction study hurt?

In MY opinion, NO. You get little "zaps" but if you have PN, you already know what zaps are like. The test is a piece of cake compared to PN. You "feel" it but it does not "hurt".

Yes and No. The neurologist performing the test will know, see, and be able to tell you "some" things during the test. Results sent to your referring physician may take a week as the test results must be interpreted and a report prepared.

If is up to the performing neurologist if he/she will tell you anything during the test itself. Some do and some don't. You may have to wait until your referring physician gets the written report.

Hope this helps. The test is nothing about which to worry or fret. Everyone is different so some here may say it does hurt and others may agree with me that it does not hurt. You may experience some mild discomfort as no one likes getting "zapped". It is usually a quick zap but depending on how extensive the test, you could be subjected to a series of zaps in a row on occasion. I think the word "hurt" is a bit too strong.

I, too, was very apprehensive before my first NCS and before my first EMG. You can hear things that make it sound very frightening. I was very surprised that it was so easy. I have had several and done by different neurologists and found slight differences in the discomfort level depending upon the physician performing the test.

Let us know how it goes for you. Again, nothing to worry about. The not knowing until you have it done is MUCH MUCH worse than the test itself.

Evanlynn,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Hi and welcome,

For me, it depends on a couple of things as to how uncomfortable the electrodiagnostic test(s) may be, including which nerves are being tested and where; how much injury or damage has occurred to those nerves; the skill of the electrodiagnostician; and the type of equipment s/he uses for the tests (I am assuming you will get both an EMG and an NCV study done…).

As far as how quickly the results are available to you after the test, in my experience there is usually a policy of not issuing any copies of the results to you until the referring physician has met with you to go over those results. (That is not to say that the tester won't tell you a couple of things verbally at the time of the tests - that probably depends on the person.)

The last EMG/NCV studies I got were VERY painful, because they tested all the way up the arm, across the shoulder and neck to go behind the C-8/T-1 nerves - which is precisely where I have a long-standing lower trunk brachial plexus injury and nerve damage.

Before that, I've had lots of electrodiagnostics done over the years and, while each set was uncomfortable at a minimum, there was no real "pain" which made me want to jump out of my seat like that last set did! It was right around Halloween time, and the guy performing the test looked like Count Dracula (only not on purpose)! I kid you not!

Don't mean to scare you; I just don't want you to go in there unprepared.

Good luck! And let us know what they find, OK?