anyone ever had a "EMG"?
 

im having cronic pain in my arms all the way down to my hands and fingers where at times it hurts to touch them :(.some one told me the "EMG"test are painfull:(its a test they have to do to my neck.they saw from my "MRI"and found there is a lot of damage there.had surgery and therapy to my shoulder but after 2yrs still no relief nor can i return to work.so they think its my neck with its rupter disc's.maybe pinching a nerve.anyone ever had this done:confused:....thanks:winky:

Hi! Sorry you're experiencing so much pain. I've had 5 EMGs. They hurt briefly during the the exam. From your description of the pain (painful to the touch), have they considered RSD?

hmm?not sure what that is but i will let the doctor know that it hurts when i touch my fingers and can he also do "RSD":confused:seems it hard to get people to listen to me when i try and tell them that i have a:( problem or what is bothering me

Hi ~ I've had the EMG and YES it's painful. They put "leads" on you that are attached to a machine - much like you'd have if you were going to have an EKG. Then they "turn on the juice" and zap you with electrical currents and it HURTS like the devil! Luckily it doesn't last long. They also poke you with needles to see if you can feel it in different places i.e. lower leg, thigh, etc. Perhaps they'll be poking you in the arms, hands, etc. They won't be poking your neck, I'm pretty sure.

That's briefly a description. Best of luck. Hugs, Lee

thank you much "Leesa" and yes its my arms,hand shoulder and my neck where it hurts.they dont have to poke me for that:D i feel the pain already:D
thank you again "leesa":Thanx:

don1956, I have had several through the years (both arms and legs) and I have to say I didn't think they were too bad. There was only one time where it was was painful but I think it was because my Neurologist was in a hurry that day. And, yes, she has placed a needle right around the C7 level before. Other than that, yes, you will feel it but just briefly. Heck, acupuncture hurt more than the EMGs did LOL! Anyway, I honestly think it depends on WHO is performing the test. So far, with the exception of that one time, they have been fine. If they told me tomorrow I needed another, no problem. :) Btw, my mom just had one done and had never had one before. But like me, she just thought it was uncomfortable...that's about it. Oh, forgot to add, and this is really strange. But my arms always felt BETTER afterwards. I don't know maybe the shocks helped in some strange way LOL!

Emg
 

I had an EMG over the summer. I just had a 2 level ACDF. If you use a doctor that is certified and well versed in the EMG it is mildly uncomfortable. You feel twinges and maybe a radiating pain down the arm. Definitely less painful than a muscle spasm or the pain involved in disk herniation. If you are concerned about permanent nerve damage it is worth doing the test. If you plan on surgery regardless, than it may not matter. My feelings after putting off the ACDF until I could not handle the pain is . . . don't wait. The rewards are worth it. I have been off narcotic pain killers since a week out of surgery where I was taking narcotics 3 times a day for 6 months.

hey,hey thanks folks for the tips:D i knew i could get the right answer here.im going in next wednesday night(6:15pm:eek:)thought it was kind of strange though.but i guess this will finally anwer why after surgery i still have pain(its been 2yrs).i hope i can return to work.i only need 5 more yrs and i can retire...thank you all again:hug::hug:

Hello Don
 

I have not had this test because I went with someone who did. I refused this tests and stated I have no wish to feel a cattle prod. I am not interested. This former doctor said politely, then I am afraid I am not able to help you. I have since found out there are alot of different tests than can be done. I found another SNS and had wonderful results, I wish you all the best. Ginnie:hug:

your right ginnie im not to thrilled/or looking forward to getting "CattleProd":(
but if this is what it takes (or they want).....:(

Yes I have had several. The electrical conduction part isn't so bad...but the needle portion is very uncomfortable. They put a needle in your muscles and have you contract the muscle while the needle is still in. That hurts. But, it goes away after a couple hours.

I had an EMG recently and it was not bad at all. I was very "scared" of the pain that might be involved as I had heard horror stories. Yes they do place leads on different parts of your arm and hand. They do send a current from one lead to another in order to establish that amount of time it takes to get from one to another. I was told that if you go to someone who is qualified and trained it wouldn't be painful. They were accurate. I did feel some discomfort, but nothing like the pain I was having from the pinched and herniated nerves in my neck. Definitely check with the doctor to make sure he is well trained and has up to date equipment. Good luck

I've had 2 EMG's
 

Before they discovered my pinched nerves were a result of degenerative disc disease in my neck, they assumed I had carpel tunnel and a pinched ulnar nerve. I've had 2 separate EMG's, considering how bad the pain is the test is pretty easy in comparison. It's a bit scary with the needle part, but I'm a complete suck when it comes to needles and I did fine. It stings a bit but it really doesn't last too long. I found the electric pulses can 'bite' a bit.

Good luck! It's not that bad in comparison to other things I've had to endure with all this! You will do just fine.

thanks you all so very,very much for your input :hug::hug:

Responce
 

Dear Don, I had a different location for the last post to you, maybe under the disabilitySSI post for today. Had to do with the EMG you have to do. Some times I loose track of the posts. In any case I wish you all the best in which ever direction you choose and I hope your results will help you.:hug:ginnie

hi "ginnie" and all.just got done with my "EMG"its wasnt all that bad:Di didnt mind the needles and pins(sound like a song:wink:)anyway he was conversing with a intern who was there.they kept talking about and "C5&6"they didnt tell me what all that means:confused:any one here knows:Scratch-Head:

Hi Don,

c5 & 6 (or c5 & c6) are the fifth and sixth (of seven) cervical (neck) vertebrae. They were most likely talking about the disc between c5 & c6. Here's one diagram:

http://www.highlandchiro.com/images/spinal_chart.jpg

Doc

Hey,thanks "Dr.Smith" :Wave-Hello:...now all i need to know from my Dr.(not Dr.smith:D)is what is next:Scratch-Head:....i'll let you all know friday

Emg
 

Hi, I've had 2 EMG's done because of the same pain you are having, yes the test is kinda of painful but not as painful as the pain we currently have, after the first test I was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel. Then after complaining about radiating pain down the right side of my neck to my fingers, with numbness which included my toes. My Neuro requested another one for the right side and then I was told I have a old chronic right
C5 radiculopathy.
The only painful part of the test is the needle sticks (If need) which goes way soon after, but as I said, considering the pain you have now, this test is a minor. ;)

well all done and the test went well.its not that hard or painful(IMHO;))any way they did find something wrong with the disc's in my neck so next thursday im going to see the neck surgeon:(

I had an emg done on both legs and feet about a month ago. It wasnt that bad really. I had a great doctor that talked to me about all kinds of stuff and let me know when he was going to give me the shock. Its sort of like, that hit in the shin they do to check your reflex's. It doesnt feel good, but the pain is gone immediately so its not that bad. The only part I really didnt like was the needles in my feet. When he stuck my foot it did hurt really bad, but I have a rare form of psoriasis on my feet and hands so Im far more sensitive and he didnt do the other foot due to the one hurting. But after it was done and I walked out of the office I couldnt tell I had anything done to me at all so its a no sweat thing.

Hi don1956, I have to say I have had 2 EMG's and yes there is some mild discomfort, but I cannot say it was painful compared to our daily chronic pain, and yes they tested around my neck area, but I would do anything to get better! I had a 3 level ACDF C4-C7 in 2009 and still experience radiculopathy in both arms down to my hands, severe constant headaches, and due to the EMG results, I was then sent for another MRI and then to a vascular surgeon, I now know I have increased disc herniation at C3/4 with indentation of the thecal sac and mild flattening of the spinal cord, moderate forminal narrowing due to ostoephytes at C4/5, C5/6 and C6/7 and recently diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. So Don1956 don't be fearful of tests and don't allow others to put fear in taking tests as the EMG will be smooth sailing
Bunz50

"bunz&Married"thanks folks.yeah that "EMG"test was nothing:Dit was much easier than a "rootcanal":trampoline: my doctor is sending me to see this neck specialist,a surgeon next week.obviously to disscus my options and i bet he wants to take another "MRI".i tried telling my doctor that i didnt feel well and that my neck and all the way down to my fingers hurt:mad: bet they belive me now!!:mad:

I just found out that the EMG is NOT a very reliable test anyway. :confused: My neurosurgeon told me this. Well, if they aren't very reliable, why are they doing them??? Weird!

I think positive EMGs are rare but when you have a positive EMG, there's no denying there is a nerve problem. The only question may be in interpretation of the exam.

My first EMG was positive showing a problem. By testing various nerves, they were able to pinpoint the problem to my brachial plexus rather than the neck, elbow or wrist. The doctor even spent extra time documenting the exam because it is rare to have a positive diagnosis for TOS using an EMG. Even though the exam upset the nerves, I was happy that someone finally believed me. The exams are worth the temporary discomfort.

first hello"Sheri" and you are right about "Finally believe me".for 2yrs after my surgery pain is still in my neck down to my fingers.when my doctor got back the results,he had his nurse do the explaining he was not there:mad:anyway there now sending me to a neck specialist(surgeon).Its the c5&6pinching my nerve:eek:

hello again bunz50 and sheri.its been a while .but the update .well they discover i have like you "bunz50"c-4thru c7 along with the "fibro"in my shoulder.now no more trying to convince anyone now.i get nerve blocks in all 4disc's and i get pain pills(gabapentin300mg) that i take 3times aday.now i got approve for "SSDI"(thank you jesus)and also to you all here:grouphug:

Hello don1956, congrats on winning your SSDI! I know it does not help ease your pain but does help with the stress of finances, as well I hope you are getting some relief with the pain meds, again congrats!
Bunz

Re: another opinion
 

Hi Don, glad to find you on neuro talk. Sorry your neck is so bad. Make sure you get two opinions before you opt for surgery. I e-mailed to you also. I know you are in pain, and I hope there is a resolution, so that you can have more quality of life. ginnie