[Irene7]

Hallo,

my doctor sent me to a neurologist to find out whether I have peripheral neuropathy. He did an EMG and a NCS on me 4 months ago. Both procedures were extremely painful. I begged the doctor to stop, but he didn't. The nerves had to be stimulated again and again with ever increasing current until finally I cried out with pain. He gave me more than 200 electric stimulations and twice I had to vomit. then came the EMS which was even worse. The doctor inserted the needle 57 times, when he moved it around in my legs and asked me to contract the muscle I almost fainted with pain.
The diagnosis was that I probably have neuropathy, but the doctor wasn't quite sure.
Now, 4 months later, I still have excruciating pain in my legs, it is a burning pain that never stops. Besides, I have great difficulties moving my legs. I have the impression that my legs don't do what my brain tells them to. I can't walk any longer.
When I called the neurologist and told him about my symptoms he said that sometimes it just happens that the nerves are permanently irritated and that nothing can be done about it. He advised me to get strong pain medication and to buy a wheelchair.
Before the tests I could easily walk 10 miles, now I cannot even walk from one room to the other.
How can I get help? Can nothing be done about it? I am desperate.
Any answer will be welcome.
Irene

[numbfoot]

Hello Irene

That dosent sound good.
I am no expert but I think I'd be getting another opinion if you can.
Where are you & what is your age?

[darlindeb25]

When I called the neurologist and told him about my symptoms he said that sometimes it just happens that the nerves are permanently irritated and that nothing can be done about it.

This is his opinion before he has even seen you? He hasn't even done an exam of his own? Who did the original testing, a neurologist, or your PCP? People are specially trained to do these types of testing, especially with the needles. I have had this test done 3 times now, and never was in as much pain as your are speaking of.

There is always something they can try, sometimes several things. Have you had your B12 tested? B12 deficiency causes so many problems. Do you have any other health issues? Has the doctor tried to figure out what brought this all on?

[nide44]

Your test experience seems to be abnormally severe. The tech or doc doing it was very inexperienced or a total bumbler and an a-ss !
that many pokes, jolts & stabs means that he is fumbling around and doesn't know what he's doing - too many of them!! I wouldn't trust what he sees as the results, either.
I've had it done (EMG/NCS) 3 times at Johns Hopkins and have had mild discomfort and mild nausea as the most severe experience- and I'm a wimp when it comes to pain.
You need to see a different set of practitioners. Someone(s) who knows what their doing.

[mrsD]

I would get another opinion pronto. This is not a common result.

There may be malpractice issues you can explore.

The statute of limitations for medical negligence is typically two years in most states. But that varies. I'd get help ASAP to determine if you have a claim that is valid. If you miss the window, and become disabled, you are out of luck.

A few days ago I was coming home from an errand. Watching the cars on the cross street zooming by was a big dark SUV with neon letters across it --professionally done---
XXX Hospital and
Doctor YYY MD
Killed my mother.

I was stunned, so I looked this up on the net. This man's mother was negligently handled at our local (very well known hospital) and died as a result of a test procedure. The hospital accepted responsibility and took care of her for free for 8mos until she passed away (she was brain injured--she fell off the table during a procedure). But they would not release papers to the attorneys, who wanted damages beyond that. So this man has 3 vans with these signs and drives around advertising it. One the website is a video of our local TV coverage of this situation. So it is 100% true.

I found posts at some other forums about it and even their website. His lawyer has some National notoriety and I guess encourages this? Anyway, it was the first time I saw this type of thing.

I am not saying YOU should do this. But you should discover what your rights are and if you are permanently damaged. In the situation I give here, I think they are getting away with it, because it is TRUE, and the hospital has publicly stated that. I thought it was extreme however.

[BEGLET]

That sounds awful - and completely wrong.... never heard of anyone going thru such pain and so much agression for an ncs/emg..... yes, they can hurt - but shouldnt that much... and the docs attitude towards you is completely unacceptable. And never heard of after affects that lasted more then a couple of days. Agree wth others, go to another doc ASAP - its your life and your nerves they are messing with.....

And also, as Mrs. D says, I'd follow up with legal channels - as long as you have a case filed within the time limit of statute of limitations (here I think its a year once you find out exactly what really happened) - you are ok.... we have to fight back as patients or just get swept under the carpet... (document all your conversations with time, date, what was discussed, etc... depends on the state you live in if you can legally record them or not too)