[Hope15]

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.

[Leslie]

Originally Posted by Hope15

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

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by Leslie

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

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

[mrsD]

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.

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by mrsD

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 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...

[Kitt]

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.

[darlindeb25]

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!!!

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by darlindeb25

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 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.

[Hope15]

Originally Posted by Kitt

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.

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

[aussiemom]

Originally Posted by Hope15

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
I've had a few, the first one "hurt like hell". I left the office in tears. The next few didn't hurt, barely knew they were being done! But it was worth it to find out what was going on.

As for MRIs, had 7 of them for different problems. They are LOUD. Ask if you can have ear phones set to your favorite radio station. The techs usually tell me how long this set of noise will last, and I count them to tell time, and how much longer it will last. This has to be the least bothersome test on my list, I really don't mind them at all.

Barb