EMG/NCV test
 

I am scheduled for an emg/ncv test in a few days. I will admit im nervous. Have any of you had one done and did it hurt?

Thanks,


Colleen

no need to be nervous

been thru 4 of them...other than a mild "taser"-like zap discomfort, you'll be fine

what about the needles. did they hurt?

needles do NOT hurt, so relax

correction to my 1st reply....I have never been tasered...just trying to add a little humor...I know you must feel some anxiety...we've all been in your shoes

the zap feeling is more like a brief milli-second of static electricity...just a little irritating to some

btw, welcome....people here are friendly and helpful

Had one and never again. It hurt like heck. I do think that depends on who is doing the test. At least that's what I have heard. Also, it may depend on what you have. Others I know have said that it hurt and some it did not.

i wouldnt say its a pleasant sensation but it is no big deal for me. Ive done a number of them on legs, feet, arms, hands and back and i wouldnt hesitate to do it again. the needles are very thin and didnt hurt me at all. I wouldnt put it off because the rules on reimbursement for doctors for emg/ncs is changing in january and it is probably going to be harder to get one done since the doctors reimbursement is suppossed to be reduced by 40%

My son is having one tomorrow morning, and he said that he appreciated the warning from the nurse making the appointment that it would hurt, so I decided to chime in. I have been through three, the last one lasted two hours. The electrical current will be the main source of discomfort or pain, the needles will not hurt. The longer it goes on the more annoying it will get. Kitt and I have hereditary neuropathy, I don't know if that makes it worse, but the tests do stir up my condition- I have escalated electrical zapping and buzzing for a few weeks after the test.

It hurts, but the pain is definitely not a reason to skip the test. It isn't as bad as a toothache or migraine, and if your doctor talks to you through it it is actually quite interesting and informative. My regular leg pain is worse than the tests. I actually like it, but that probably says something spooky about me.

My son is having it done to determine nerve damage after a car accident- he had a winged scapula afterwards. I am hoping it gives a clue to whether he has CMT. This is my second son, the eldest one definitely has it.

Emg
 

That test hurt like hell to me too lol just depends on how long and where the zaps are..i was told to keep up with my results and I wouldnt have to take it again.

Thanks for all the replies everybody. I am nervous but starting to feel better after seeing all youre replies.

I will go on saturday. I am just nervous. thanks for the wealth of information.

I agree and forgot to say that it was the electrical current that was painful and not the needles. I often said that if I wasn't dancing when I went in I was dancing when I got out of there.

The electrical current really got to be painful toward the end. And it does make a difference who is doing the test and for CMTers it more than likely depends on the type of CMT one has.

Hey kitt. I am glad its not the needles that hurt. Because thats the part thats freaking me out the most. I cant deal with needles. I am a needle phobe.

Thanks again,

colleen

Even though I was hurting from "normal" pain, the emg wasn't painful really. It did not make it worse. A couple made me nerve slightly more sore afterword but nothing remarkable. Everyone is different though. Good luck and I hope you get some positive news :)

Hey Colleen
Just curious, were you known as the Excercise Goddess on another forum? With Stacey?

OK, now I am really confused. I had what I thought was a nerve conduction test by my neurologist. There wasn't any needles that I can recall!! I do remember two "pad" type things, sort of like one on each end, and then the zap of electricty going through. Both legs and feet, and one arm was done. It was a weird type feeling, but did not hurt at all. I have posted the summation on this website, but cant find the dr's printout anywhere right now! Any ideas on what type of test I had if it did not involve needles?

Judie
:confused:

It is do-able
 

I have had the EMG ( electromyogram) which is the needle part. I did not mind it. There are several things that might cause one test to be different from another and those things are the skill level of the practitioner and the areas on your body that are being tested. I thought the thumbs were the most tender.
I have also had the NCV's ( nerve conduction velocities) and that is the zapping part. This is my least favorite test. When they zap you it feels like u have hit your funny bone, big time. And to me it isn't funny!! :yikes: The worst part is IF they can't isolate the nerve and they keep zapping it, it can quickly start to feel like they are snapping you with a rubber band, repeatedly. Caused some swelling on the back of my leg and the tech finally gave up. At Cleveland Clinic a physician did the EMG and a tech did the NCV'S. Like I said it is do-able. :Good-Luck:

Aussie mom,

I was known as the cyclist. Stacy was known as the exercise goddess.

Colleen

Thanks for letting me know about the test. Im having it done on my leg. Im still nervous but you guys have me feeling a bit better about it now.

Colleen

cthomas

I had 2 (of both) done this past summer and despite being terrified of needles it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. However if you are very nervous my doctor prescribed some anxiety medication for me to take which really did the trick (i was given valium)

hope this helps :)

I just sent you a PM. Hi!!!!!!