Well guess what??? I'm a bolter.

I'll never forget what happened after I jumped up and threated to punch the nurse upside her head. Now you have to know me to know that I can't be violent under any circumstance. I once was (way before Alan came into the picture), well, I was in an abusive relationship. So I know what it's like to be around violence, blah blah blah, so I am like Gentle Ben, you know, nice, sweet, won't hurt a fly. I immediately took the bus to my primary care guy and I ran into his office and said "don't you ever send me for that thing again". He burst out laughing. I said 'oh you think it's funny??" You see, one of my friends was his nurse so we knew each other.

Years previously, I had a nerve conduction test (together with an emg) and I had to lay on my back and she moved the needle into the upper part of my spinal column. She kept saying "stop moving, believe me I was lying stock still". Then she said it again "stop moving". I said 'what are you talking about, I'm still" and she said 'no, I know you are still but your muscles are moving".

Then she did the emg on my arms and I will never forget. It wasn't so bad. That I remember. But the thing that was funny was what she said. As she was moving the little needles around in my arm in different places, she kept looking at the monitor and she would go "oh, beautiful beautiful", and I would go "oh, my arm is beautiful"?? and she would go "Oh, no, your arm is very bad,very bad, but the picture is beautiful, beautiful".

I think she had bats in her belfry.

mel

I suppose it will vary depend on what they are looking for, and what it feels like depends on your own body.

I did the electric shock cattle prod thingy. I was fine with it. But then the neurologist jabs me with a big fat needle, and I screamed so loudly the patients in the waiting room heard me.

Mind you, I have fibromyalgia, so my pain perception is grossly exaggerated. I'm willing to bet most people tolerate the needle test better than I do.

fanfaire

I find it absolutely amazing how different we all are in the areas of needles, cattle prod thingees, etc.

I, myself, have this thing going on in my shoulder and I needed one of those cortisone shots from Dr. Fred. He comes in with this 7 inch thing. Alan looked at me and knew immediately it would be okay, because I'm not afraid of needles anywhere on my body except for in my mouth. Then you'll have to club me.

So Dr. Fred is going "now everything is going to be fine, don't be scared, etc. etc. and I'm laughing and I'm going 'go ahead and shoot me". He did his thing and when he was finished he said "I am absolutely amazed at you. No one reacts like you did to what I just did". I simply said "Ah, but you are Dr. Fred and you give a good shot". He laughed.

Mine was a while ago now but think it took about 30 minutes [approx], my own neuro done mine, it never hurt one bit but that's just me, i think it depends on the the person who is getting it done though, like how much damage, how sensitive they are to those nerve's to that particular person & perhaps the skill of the operator , maybe, not sure.

I think it depends on the person doing the EMG. I have had it done 3 times now and the last one was the worst. The first 2 were done in my primary care doctor's office by 2 different techs and the last one was done by a tech in my neuro's office. She was a little rough and the shocks behind my knees were brutal. I would of sworn she had little pliers and was pitching me very hard--it was quite painful and I am no sissy. I just kind of figure it's how the pig feels when the farmer prods him!!!!!!

I much prefer the EMG over the needle part. The neuro did the needle one and he broke 2 blood vessels which really hurt. I would think he would know better!

Steff,

I agree with the posters here. I have had several and really, they didn't bother me too much. I considered them to be a wee bit painful although I have heard some people say...never again. Then again, I get injections in my neck and back. My newer spinal PM goes so easy that it is really not all that bad. Whereas before, I had Residents doing it and they were extremely painful. So, to me, having an EMG is nothing compared to having a needle weeded down into your neck. It's not a matter of a quick injection at all...it takes some time as he goes. And I also think it depends on who is doing the EMG. My Neurologist is very good and goes very easy but very quick...maybe that is why it just doesn't bother me too much.

I have an EMG booked for tomorrow (2nd oct) at 5:50pm, at least now I sort of know what to expect. I am hoping he will test more than just my legs as they seem to be causing the least problems...