Hi all. I am having my very first EMG on Monday, and I admit it, I'm scared.

I have talked to a couple of friends who have either had it, or knew someone who did, and they said it was extremely painful, or they ended up in tears. Why would they tell me that when they know I am about to have the test myself? I find that just out right cruel. Yes, I know the test is not fun, but can anyone offer any advice or info before I have it?

Can someone explain exactly what this test reveals? Does it also reveal if nerves are being compressed somewhere?

Also, just before the test, I am having two MRI's. I mentioned to my primary doctor that I am somewhat claustrophobic, so he prescribed some Xanax for me. I am going to call and check, but I thought I would ask here as well if the Xanax might affect the EMG results? I want to becareful there.

My other question is about pain management. I am hyper sensitive and don't do well with antidepressants, especially the low dose older antidepressants that are often prescribed for pain. Not only do they not work for me, but they make my heart go out of rhythm. Scary. So Gabapentin and Lyrica would be my basic choices? I am on Gabapentin now, 1800 mg. and I guess it needs to be raised. I am also taking Vicodin for my bad back and sometimes that does help with my neuropathy pain. I heard Oxycontin might be better for break through pain?

Thanks for any advice here. I really appreciare this board and the people on it.

Hi Hope -

I've had two EMG and they weren't bad at all. There were 2 zaps that made me tingle a bit but nothing painful. Now the MRIs, that's were I have my problems. I have had several but always in the open MRI unit.

Leslie

Some doctors give Valium before EMGs... so I don't think the
Xanax will be a problem.
I had EMGs in my arms, when my carpal tunnel was terrible, and it wasn't bad. But it depends on the person.

I can't address the pain meds, since people are all different and respond differently. You'd have to discuss this with your doctor.

Good luck.

Thanks Leslie. It's comforting to know that not everyone having an EMG has had a horrific reaction...

Thanks MrsD. I can't understand why someone would want to make me feel so bad just before the test. Maybe they aren't really a friend after all...

Here is a site concerning an EMG. I also had the NCV test.

http://www.medicinenet.com/electromyogram/page2.htm

Check out the first and 3rd pages as well.

My test hurt. But many other CMTers say they had no trouble. It can depend on who gives the test. You should have no problem with the medication you doctor suggested. I did not have any medication.

You should do fine and hopefully get some answers. I wish you well.

I've had 2 EMG's. It also depends on the doctor doing them, I would guess. I had the same doctor both times. We would be lying if we said it isn't uncomfortable, yet I am sure you can handle it. The most uncomfortable was the base of my back. Your friends should not have said anything until after you had the test done. It will be worse if you are afraid, so calm down, and do this test knowing it may give you answers you have been looking for.

I had 2 MRI's also. I have panic attacks, and I even managed to do the MRI's without Xanax. MRI's are not painful at all, they are very loud.

You can do this!!!

Thanks for the link Kitt. I hope I can get some answers...

Thanks Deb. One of the top neurologist at the teaching hospital that I will be going to will be doing the test, but I am still nervous. I keep telling myself that this may give the doctors some good information on my neuropathy, so, I will get through it somehow. Everyone sure is different though. I have read everything on the net from it hurt like hell, to it wasn't as bad as I thought.

I've had five or six EMG's and NCS's to get to my diagnosis, plus the full cat-scan and MRI of the head, neck, spine and pelvis. Often more than once.
I too, am claustrophobic? But, I tolerate it because I know that it'll help get me diagnosed. That gets me into and out of that 'tube' without issue. Tho once I did have a problem? It got fixed and FAST because I wasn't shy about complaining. Xanax should help you get thru it all tho. I know it's helped me!

The scans [CAT and MRI] are to see if there is any brain or skeletal damages that could be affecting your nerves [slipped discs and such].

The EMG's and NCS's use electrical current to essentialy track how fast or slow current in your muscles or nerves is going from point A to point B.
How WELL you fare in these latter tests really depends on the SKILLS of the person who is doing them! I have had both experienced docs and techs who do nothing but such testing and they were so good I literally fall asleep during the tests! Demand and be SURE that you have someone experienced in the room if you have a newbie doing it! Newbies gotta learn sometime? But ONLY if a veteran is supervising, in my book. When you get that 'confirmation' call about these tests? Be sure to state that you will be on the Xanax from a test earlier that day. IF they aren't happy? Tests can be rescheduled. OR call your doc.

As for the meds? At different times the doc's ordered it to be at the MRI center waiting, other times they'll phone in a script to my local drugstore and I'll pick it up the day before or the like. You mite want to call and ask your doc's office staff about this 'silly question'? They get these all the time and will make things clearer.

Here is another site for EMG's and NCS's: http://www.webmd.com/brain/electromy...uction-studies

Gotta ask tho? Two MRI's? Do you mean with and without contrast or just something like spine and neck? If you have a copy of the 'orders' Make a copy and ASK if you can for a copy of the results... Some states this is harder to get than others. I'm lucky in that I can and DO get!

I think a lot of us here have been thru what you are about to experience! Just prepare to be BORED thru it all, nothing else and you will come out and go on the way home? WOW THAT WAS A WASTE OF TIME! Not really tho, these are key tests for diagnosing anything neurological!

By the way? Be nicely chatty if you can with the techs and/or docs? Ask them every single silly question you can think of! Better yet the sensible ones -such as what does this all mean? Explain, Please? Sometimes they love to give you preliminary results so's to reassure you -but you often get much more....FINE BY ME!
IF something does hurt tho? Don't be shy about doing a good Cat-Type YOW!!!! now and then when it gets nasty. Speak up.

Hope also that they are taking a ton of blood work to go along with all this!
Let us all know how you survive, please! 's - j