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.

OOPS! I really, really didn't mean that as a pun...more fact-of-life thing.
Well, EX-NURSE Junie, DID ya complain? I would have thought folks'd taken you more seriously than those of us who 'really have nothing wrong'...well, you get my drift. Hopefully you changed hospitals! Please say yes!

Before you cancel tho... I for one, don't recall having any IV's or other apparatus during NCS's...am I losing it here? IF you are soo anxious about it how about asking for a 'happy-type pre-med'? For other med issues I had multiple MRI's, Went in for one more - and since it was FACE DOWN ...well I went into full stage-2 panic mode. Next time...pre-med=NO problem. There are lots of meds that won't affect the NCS at all. Why not ask? [Be sure to tote a hair-dryer for pre-heating if the room is cold...docs just don't think of these practical matters...they would if it really cost them $$'s tho] Humm, I just remember the 'sticky conductor things' and the 'needle things' for the different tests, none was awful in themselves.

This is a real issue - talk to your doc before the test and take the measure to keep it all at bay and get the whole thing over with. Then, you can keep the whole thing from going sour when it really didn't need to. Hang in there! - j
PS I used to for 1/2 of my life go out 'COLD' after I'd had a needle [shots, blood draws...etc] Now I get IVIG MONTHLY...just can't watch the 'thing' going in...