In the old Brain Talk forum, I posted a thread once asking if any others had experienced burning as a result of the EMG/Nerve Conduction studies that are performed by Neurologists. I remember getting a few responses stating that others, besides myself had had similar reactions.

Are there any here who have had reactions like this to these tests, or adverse reactions to various vibratory testing or treatments?

Melody brought up this subject in another thread. I am posting this here, because I am terrible about hijacking threads (I don't mean to, it just happens.)

After an Orthopedic Surgeon found abnormal reflexes, I was sent for head-to-toe EMG/NC studies. I am not exaggerating when I say I screamed through it. It set me on fire, starting at the area above my knees in the lower thighs, spread to calves, then all over my body. It was very, very painful, and I still suffer from burning like this, although at least a part of it is kept in check by the medications I am on.

My current Neurologist had never heard of this, but there were actually others who responded with similar stories. Many people have had no problems with this, although this was NOT their favorite thing to do, so if you are due to have one, this does not necessarily mean you will have the same experience. I have wondered if the cause could actually be small vessel vasculitis, which I also have, but did not know then.

The Neurologist I now see wants to repeat these tests and I have refused to allow this to be done. I believe if I am already inflammed, that adding additional insult to injury will only make it hurt more. I feel that we are within our rights to refuse or decline testing that could possibly cause more pain, unless it is a life or death situation...

How about it? Any of you experience this?

Cathie

Cathie:

The next time you go to your neurologist and they start in with "you really need to have an emg/nerve conduction study, simply reply with: 'Oh, no problem, as long as I can do one on you first.

Take a look at their face when you say this!!!

HAH!!!

Melody

I just had NCS/EMG number 10 or 11 (cant remember which) - full body - both arms, legs, down my back, etc..... aside from some qiick pain from a few of the shocks, and quickie stabs, (most I didnt feel and nothing left over...) and no residal pain. I've had one that was done by a resdient that apparenty thought he had to put the EMG needle all the way thru a person - that hurt a lot at the time - but just shaky for a while afterwards... the SSEP left me sore for a couple of days from all the vibrating I think.... (each doctor seems to have a very different style on dong the tests too)

Could the needles have triggered something in your muscles???????? Hope someone here has an answer.....

The first one i had done back in October of 2003 made my feet hurt worse for a short period of time. I dont remember exactly but for around a week. The next 3 that i had, did not have that effect. My feet have become much more numb since October 2003. They are not pleasant tests, but i do not find them that bad either. I wouldnt hesitate to get another one, to keep track of the progression.

Ah, what fond memories emg/nc tests bring back for me.

The last one (because I had a pinched nerve in my neck) and I know I posted this story before but for those of you who didn't read it......I was sent for an emg/nc thing and I arrived (and I REMEMBERED THE FIRST ONE I HAD FOR CARPAL TUNNEL) so I was not in a good mood to get another one.

I sat on the table and the nurse has this cattle prod thing in her hands (now this was over 8 years ago so maybe they've stepped it up a notch with the equipment, I really have no idea), but when she just touched me on my arm (and I felt a little shock) and I said a little "ow" and she zapped me again higher up, and I felt a little bigger shock and I said an even bigger OW!!. And then she moved up my arm and zapped me and I jumped off the table and I looked her dead in the eye and I said 'touch me again with that thing and I'll punch you in your F.....nnnng face".

She just smiled sadly and sighed and said: "I know, I know, some people find this a tad uncomfortable. I thought she had lost her mind.

Now Alan can go and get EMGs and NCs and feel ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Doesn't bother him one bit. And he's had plenty of them.

Maybe I'm hyper sensitive, I have no idea!!!

Melody

I had a very short second one done several weeks after the first one. I was hospitalized at the time. The doctor who did this one told me to tell my doctor that "something" was irritating my muscles...

OK, like why didn't he put this in the *#%&$!@ report TO my doctor??? But he didn't. Try telling a doctor something like that...

Cathie

First I will start by saying I'm confused on all aspects if this nerve issues but I do know pain. I'm not sure what you mean by burning but I had the emg/mri. I also had an mri of my brain/spine and of ankle/foot. I'm not sure if that may be another option instead of the emg. I have had mistakes the past 3 months like pt that kept me in the worst pain of my life and then I just get a "sorry" from the doc which doesn't take the pain away so I understand being hesitent. I'm suppose to go to a pain clinic where I feel the same way because all they have done is make me worse with meds and pt. Sorry not much help but also I'm trying to not let my mind fear the worst because of the past. It may have been a fluke but at the same time though the doc never heard of it doesn't mean it can't happen. Like I say even if there is a 1 percent chance. Could you maybe call another doc and explain for a second opinion?It also seems like your after symptoms might give them a clue of what the whole picture is. Take care and good luck.

I haven't had as many emg/nc exams as other members of the forum but I found that some of the discomfort can be relieved by a skilled practitioner. The 1st one I had for both feet, calves, thighs, legs and my back in 2003 nearly took me off the table when the "Dr" caught the muscles behind the knee during the emg and I have a high pain threshold - he was fortunate that I happened to be positioned facing a wall because my reflex could have taken his head off although the wall didn't do much for my foot.

After that I've had subsequent exams done @ UPenn by a "technician" but under the guidance of the chairman of the neuro group and even though the tests have been far more extensive, feet, ankles, calves, thighs, legs, arms, back, fingers, and toes they have been much less unpleasant. When I discussed w/ the UPenn neurologist he indicated that the skill of the practitioner can have a great influence on a discomfort during a patients' test and I know many patients in the area go to UPenn for that reason.

I can tell you that I was much less sore after all of the subsequent exams than the from the 1st one - I was nearly hobbled for a couple of days. I can understand your reluctance to repeat the last experience - perhaps as Daniella suggested a second opinion and/or a different neurologist to do the test might be somewhat helpful.

I hope you find some relief and answers soon - good thoughts to you.

Alkymst

"The 1st one I had for both feet, calves, thighs, legs and my back in 2003 nearly took me off the table when the "Dr" caught the muscles behind the knee during the emg and I have a high pain threshold - he was fortunate that I happened to be positioned facing a wall because my reflex could have taken his head off although the wall didn't do much for my foot."


AFTER READING THIS PARAGRAPH, IF I EVER HAD THE INCLINATION TO HAVE ANOTHER EMG OR NCS, WELL, FORGET IT!!!!!

lol Melody

Daniella, have you ever asked for narcotic drugs for your pain, like the fentanyl patches? I feel so strongly that pain must be treated aggressively. I think that pain breeds more pain. Please consider giving narcotics a try.