Hey, I'm with you on that one Sounds like a good idea and I've thought that more than once or twice.

Kitt

Hi Junie. I had a NCV several years ago. I won't lie, it hurt like hell but it had to be done. They started at my toes and went up my back/spine area. When she got to upper back I about bit the blood out of my hand.

I have much pain all the time, but the good part of this is when they are over with they are OVER!!

I don't think they can give you anything because they are trying to see where the pain is and where it hurts worse or if at all etc.

Now I'm no stranger with pain, can take most anythng up to a point, but this got a bit past "a point". I have many other injections in the spine, nerve blocks, and other precedures, but I may groan, but hurts too bad to scream!

If you have ever had a mamagram done, you know they put your breast on a shelf like thing, then they screw those 2 plates together to the point of wanting to scream, but the nurse always says"don't move"!! Like I could?? thats what I tell the nurse, no need to tell me not to breath. couldn't if I wanted to

So, the test hurts, but some worse than others, but when they "hit the right spot" they sure as heck knew it

Go on and take the test, have someone standing at the door with your strongest meds, as soon as its over take meds with water before you dress.

When they tell me I"will be uncomfortable " I know whats coming

You'll make it dear, I'm still here to tell about it. Let us know how it goes and if they were able to find what they needed to do about your condition.

good luck, Jo

Or you can do what I did. say "touch me again and I'll punch you in the face".

Works every time.


But seriously, when I hopped off the table and said what I said, the person looked at me and said "I know, I know, some people find this a tad uncomfortable". That's when I wanted to take the electrodes and put them on her (nah, can't do that, too horrible).

Honestly, if you have PN and are numb, it will probably be like what happened to my husband. He never felt a blessed thing until they got up past his ankle.

He has had two of these tests and the results were always the same.

His feet are so numb, one time he went to the podiatrist and he had to do some work on a bad toe and the doctor said "I have to give you an injection" and I told the doctor, Don't bother, he can't feel anything." The doctor did not believe him. Well, the doctor did the work on the toe and looked at my husband and said "are you serious, you can't feel this". And Alan said "why, what are you doing?"


true story.

mel

The first time I had it, about a month after onset...I felt the needle electrodes, not much else. The second time 9 months after...well I kept waiting for something...tech told me after a while "ALL DoNE!" I guess that means I'm REALLY NUMB? My view is that if you feel it enuf to complain...well, to me: THAT'S A GOOD THING! You've got some nerve left!

Now when I'd had the same test for carpal tunnel a few years ago, the weirdest part was watching the muscles 'twitch' on their own..That was freaky. - j

Hi,
I think I've had 6 or 7 NCS/EMG's since PN onset 6 years ago.. (even had two in a row once because there was such a radical change from about 6 months earlier the doctor thought the machine was broken and did the whole thing over on different equipment - real fun)... what I've found is that it really depends on the doctor doing the test.... seems like each one has their own technique - some were really quite painless - one hurt so much I was shaking so bad when it was over someone had to tie my shoes I so wimpy..... but overall - have found them a necessary evil and have really helped my doctors track the progression of my PN......

(beware of residents - I had a resident start a test once before my neuro came into the room - I have no sensory nerve conduction in my feet or hands, and she have known that if she had looked at pror tests - but didnt - just kept cranking up the current until my body was literally jumping off the table because she couldnt get a response) - the doc came in - grabbed the equipment away from her and saved me - nothing needed to be said at that pont!

Anyway, overall I find them a helpful necessary "evil" and for the short periods of pain they give you - the benefits of the test definately outweight them.....
KMEB

If I ever saw that resident who cranked up your juice, I would punch him in the face.

And I'd love doing it!!!!

And I am NOT a violent human being. Believe me.


but jeeezzzz, give me a break!!!!

mel

the experience. Also maybe experience the joy's of PN! If only for an hour...

The plus side of going thru it all is that when those darling tests show something at least it proves, to a point, that it's NOT in our HEADS!

That all said and done, tests done do NOT always immediately show problem patterns. My guess is that the internal damage is either not complete or may be in the healing process. Small fiber neuropathies are often proven only thru biopsies, and results are valid ONLY when done under strict protocols. If those protocols aren't followed JUST SO, it's a waste of money and effort.

Further, there is research that indicates the room temp. where the test is conducted can adversely affect true nerve conduction results. Meaning if the room is too cold, you'll get good #'s when you shouldn't..[J. Kelly, Head Neuro Dept; G.W.U. Hosp.]. I'll see if I can dig up that paper-an interesting read.

Hope this puts your mind to ease, aside the fact that it probably should be gotten over with. - j

These site addresses are long:
http://www.onecallmedical.com/PDFs/E...dy%20Kelley%22

Another useful site is from an ins co:
http://www.cigna.com/health/provider...dy%20Kelley%22

Hope these help - j

Melody - I'll take you along next test!!!! Actualy, I was getting ready to start yelling at the resident myself because my goal for that test was not to end up looking like the bride of frankenstein from the voltage - but I think the docs "look "at the resident doing the test (and there as also an Attending and 2 others residents watching her zap me) - which was obivously - I will deal with you later - probably ruined her day....!

Dahlek is right - the temperature in the room is supposed to be regulated to get acccurate results, and usually I find they use a lamp on my legs especially to warm them and take the skin temp first to be able to maintain a consistency of test results.....

Also, yes, having objective proof that those there nerves do not work says volumns, and also watching the progression of the disease in this manner is helpful..... a little bit of pain for lots of potential information to me is worth it...

Thank you all so much.....I m overwhelmed by all the replies.......but I will admit I am still scared as I had no less then 25 atempts to have an IV started before they put in the cental line (which 2 clumsy nurses ripped out as they were flipping me all around and i was ordered to lie flat and still) and I hate needles....and no way can I tolerate this test without my pain meds and Lyrica so I just don't know. My numbness is scattered in my feet and legs...toes are complete and the total loss of feelings the many times I fell. I may just ask her to postpone it since it is so soon after my horrible experience at that hosp......I was treated so badly and suffered so much pain that I wanted to die! I was a nurse before the endless pain made me quit so I do know how I should be treated and I am very paranoid and scared for now.