Pixel22,
From WebMD: "An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals."

The EMG and NCS (commonly done on the same visit) will determine whether you have neuropathy in the large nerves, typically in the leg(s). In the future, a repeated test can determine whether the dysfunction is getting worse, or if you are fortunate, better. These tests are a measure of your condition, which doctors understandably like to see. These tests do not measure operation of small sensory nerves near the skin, so if you only have small fiber neuropathy, these tests will be normal, as in my case.

I found the NCS to be no problem at all. They place sticky electrodes on the skin and pass some current through them. If your skin is very sensitive, I suppose this could be unpleasant. I did not like the EMG at all. They stick needles into the muscles in several places. It was not a horrible pain, just unpleasant. Just as with anything you are afraid of but have to do anyway, try to relax by breathing deeply and try to think about something else. If the practitioner can put you at ease, this will help. Good luck with it.
Ron

Well that makes some sense. I guess I always hesitate to "bother" them. I'm going to call and ask why we are doing it and if it is really necessary at this point or if we can take a wait and see approach. I've done lots of different tests in my life and it's not that I here it is painful that I'm hesitating, it is more that if it really isn't going to show us anything, why do it? Thanks. I'll give the office a call.

Hi Doc,

I know I am repeating myself but it is worth repeating. Your sense of humor never ceases to amaze me and makes me laugh out loud, literally. Thanks for making my day as you seem to do so very often.

i have had quite a few emg/ncs's over the last 11 years and while i wouldnt describe it as pleasurable, for me it was never a very painful experience. i wouldnt hesitate to get another one. for me its the only test that has ever come out positive. the fact that i have large fiber axonal peripheral neuropathy with demylelination. by doing them over the years i have been able to chart the spread and the degree of my pn. it has gone from mild-moderate in my legs and feet to severe and is now moderate in my hands. there is a reason i am keeping track of this that applies in my case due to the circumstances of my exposure to toxins that wont apply to you so you wont have so many done.
reasons for doing the tests, it establishes that you have long fiber peripheral neuropathy in case you ever need to apply for disability down the road. it also is used to determine the areas affected as well as degree of damage and wether it is primarily axonal damage or damage to the myelin sheath. this will help to narrow down possible causes and suggest other possible testing that needs to be done. the tests can also determine wether your problems are being caused by your back or nerve impingement from the spine.

the needles being referred to for the emg portion are very thin needles and most likely wont be even felt in most of the tested places on your body.

Hi Doug,

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you here. My experience was much like yours. The EMG was completely painless. I, too, did not even feel the needle insertions, except the one that I mentioned in my prior post that was VERY deep. And it really wasn't the "needle" that hurt but all the pushing he was doing to get it deep enough. The needles are so tiny (tiny gauge) that it really is difficult to feel them. I did not see the length of the needle but I think it was too short for the ONE insertion that I felt. I may not have felt that one either if the needle had been longer and he hadn't had to push so hard to get it into a deep muscle.

Now, the NCS, is a little bit different in my opinion because I don't like being zapped, not even the little static electricity zaps trying to close the car door in winter. I found a few of the zaps during the NCS uncomfortable when they increased the intensity and duration when they did not like the response from a lower intensity and shorter duration.

I also don't like the electrical zaps my own body gives me. My own body zaps me worse than the neuro during an NCS.

Honestly mine was awful. I didn't mind the electric shock part of the test (I've already been using a TENS unit and kinda like the shocks actually) but when the doctor started stabbing me with needles the pain was too much. I started crying and had a panic attack and had to make them stop before the test was complete. I have a huge fear of needles and they didn't tell me before hand that they were going to put needles in me. Only after I was crying and freaking out did the doctor mention they could have given me a sedative prior to doing the test.

I'm not trying to scare you out of getting it done, if your doctor thinks it will help get you better treatment then it is worth doing. But if you have a fear of needles like me you should mention it.