EMG Test Experiences?
 

I looked in the search box for this and I didn't find much about this test. My Neurologist called to follow up with me today. Since my numbness, tingling and pain seems to be progressing rather quickly, she suggested doing an EMG. I'm not at all sure what this test is supposed to do and from a google search it appears it is quite painful. I'm just not sure I want to have anymore poking and prodding done at the moment, and it appears some people claim it worsens their symptoms. I really don't want to make matters worse. How painful is this test?

Here is one site concerning EMG/NCV testing.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healt...emg_92,P07656/

The test may or may not be painful. Sometimes, it depends on who is administering it. Let them know if it is painful.

I will never have another EMG/NCV test. I do not have to in my case as it is mostly for the benefit of the doctor. I know that CMT is progressing as it does and I do not need another test to tell me that. A top CMT neurologist told my support group this as well. It was painful for me. However, I cannot see that it would make matters worse. Just my experience. I know others who have had it are fine and for some others it was painful.

Hi Pixel22,

Like Kitt said, an NCS/EMG is different for different people. Personally, I did not find it "painful" but there are some moments of some minor discomfort. The best way I can describe the NCS is sort of like when you touch something in winter time and get that little static electricity zap. Not necessarily "fun" but for me, I would not term it as "painful". Well, maybe a little bit when they do the sustained repeated zaps at the same site. The EMG test was actually much easier for me than the NCS. There was only ONE needle insertion that "hurt". It was for a deep muscle and the doc was having trouble getting the needle placed in the right spot. All the other needles were completely painless. I did find a little bit of difference when performed by a different doctor, (I have had the testing done several times by different docs) but not much so I guess it may vary by whom is performing the test.

I was very apprehensive before the first time as I really did not know what to expect. I had heard some horror stories and had read some things on the internet. I was very surprised that it was nothing like I had feared. If my fears had been realized, I would not have had any of the subsequent testing done.

Keep in mind that was MY experiences. Not everyone has the same experience and there are many factors that may account for differences in opinions on how unpleasant or painful the test may be for each individual. Some people may have conditions that would make the test more painful than it is for another with a different condition. Maybe I was just lucky or maybe I just had really good neuros performing the testing. I always had a neuro doing the testing, never a technician. In fact, until I read some things online, I did not know anyone other than a neuro performed these tests. That could be a factor, too.

Bottom line, don't get too worked up about it. The unknown is the really scary part. It may be a cake walk for you or you could find it a bit painful but until you experience it, no one can tell you exactly how YOU will feel. As I said, I did not find it bad at all. I have had other procedures that were much worse.

We've had good threads on this in the past; I'm not finding the one I'm thinking of—"emg" is too short for the search engine, and I can't recall any other search criteria/terms.

I agree with the others; apprehension & fear are your nemeses here—not the test itself. When we get startled by the "zap", there's a tendency to think of it as painful—when it's really just a little... unnerving. :p

When it's over, treat yourself to something fattening. :wink:

Doc

I guess we can all put up with some discomfort if it leads to a better diagnosis. I guess that's where I am confused. She told me I had PN and I mentioned to her that since I saw her last, it's moved to my hands. It sounds like many people have that, so I'm unsure of what she's looking for now. Painful or not, I wish I knew why we are doing the test and what we are looking for. I think I would prefer a pedicure and call it a day.

Just a thought. It might be a good idea to ask her what she is looking for.

I guess my first post to this site will be adding my 2 cents worth to this topic.

Like others, I had heard horror stories about the amount of pain to be expected. As it turned out, the Dr. had already inserted the needle 2-3 times before I realized what he was doing. When I did, I asked him if that the needle I had heard so much about. He kinda laughed a little and said "Yeah...How much was it supposed to hurt?"

The worst part was getting 1 artificially induced "charlie horse", but that didn't last long either.

All that being said, I'll give the standard disclaimer.... This was how MY experience was and I can't guarantee anyone else will have a visit as uneventful as mine.

:Wave-Hello: Welcome Doug1961.

My PN is like that, progressing to hands and arms. I also have the pins and needle feeling on my upper back, kind of like the sunburn feeling. I have almost two months before my nerve study, so I can hear if you survived.. ;)
I would think the nerve conduction is for gauging how damaged the large fiber electrical system is doing... We call it I. The electrical field as a "high resistant connection", so if the myelin sheath is damaged, it will slow down the signal. To bad they can't re-wire us yet...:rolleyes:

Have you asked your doctor? For whatever reasons, some doctors are remiss in volunteering information, but will explain things if asked. Those are perfectly reasonable questions, and I don't know of any reason why your doctor wouldn't give you a candid answer.

In this group, we're somewhat familiar with that test & why it's done, and it does have to do with honing in on diagnosis. Unfortunately, that doesn't always result in better/different treatment options. :Dunno:

Doc

Pixel22,
From WebMD: "An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals."

The EMG and NCS (commonly done on the same visit) will determine whether you have neuropathy in the large nerves, typically in the leg(s). In the future, a repeated test can determine whether the dysfunction is getting worse, or if you are fortunate, better. These tests are a measure of your condition, which doctors understandably like to see. These tests do not measure operation of small sensory nerves near the skin, so if you only have small fiber neuropathy, these tests will be normal, as in my case.

I found the NCS to be no problem at all. They place sticky electrodes on the skin and pass some current through them. If your skin is very sensitive, I suppose this could be unpleasant. I did not like the EMG at all. They stick needles into the muscles in several places. It was not a horrible pain, just unpleasant. Just as with anything you are afraid of but have to do anyway, try to relax by breathing deeply and try to think about something else. If the practitioner can put you at ease, this will help. Good luck with it.
Ron

Well that makes some sense. I guess I always hesitate to "bother" them. I'm going to call and ask why we are doing it and if it is really necessary at this point or if we can take a wait and see approach. I've done lots of different tests in my life and it's not that I here it is painful that I'm hesitating, it is more that if it really isn't going to show us anything, why do it? Thanks. I'll give the office a call. :)

Made my Day
 

Hi Doc,

I know I am repeating myself but it is worth repeating. Your sense of humor never ceases to amaze me and makes me laugh out loud, literally. Thanks for making my day as you seem to do so very often.

i have had quite a few emg/ncs's over the last 11 years and while i wouldnt describe it as pleasurable, for me it was never a very painful experience. i wouldnt hesitate to get another one. for me its the only test that has ever come out positive. the fact that i have large fiber axonal peripheral neuropathy with demylelination. by doing them over the years i have been able to chart the spread and the degree of my pn. it has gone from mild-moderate in my legs and feet to severe and is now moderate in my hands. there is a reason i am keeping track of this that applies in my case due to the circumstances of my exposure to toxins that wont apply to you so you wont have so many done.
reasons for doing the tests, it establishes that you have long fiber peripheral neuropathy in case you ever need to apply for disability down the road. it also is used to determine the areas affected as well as degree of damage and wether it is primarily axonal damage or damage to the myelin sheath. this will help to narrow down possible causes and suggest other possible testing that needs to be done. the tests can also determine wether your problems are being caused by your back or nerve impingement from the spine.

the needles being referred to for the emg portion are very thin needles and most likely wont be even felt in most of the tested places on your body.

Hi Doug,

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you here. My experience was much like yours. The EMG was completely painless. I, too, did not even feel the needle insertions, except the one that I mentioned in my prior post that was VERY deep. And it really wasn't the "needle" that hurt but all the pushing he was doing to get it deep enough. The needles are so tiny (tiny gauge) that it really is difficult to feel them. I did not see the length of the needle but I think it was too short for the ONE insertion that I felt. I may not have felt that one either if the needle had been longer and he hadn't had to push so hard to get it into a deep muscle.

Now, the NCS, is a little bit different in my opinion because I don't like being zapped, not even the little static electricity zaps trying to close the car door in winter. I found a few of the zaps during the NCS uncomfortable when they increased the intensity and duration when they did not like the response from a lower intensity and shorter duration.

I also don't like the electrical zaps my own body gives me. My own body zaps me worse than the neuro during an NCS.

Honestly mine was awful. I didn't mind the electric shock part of the test (I've already been using a TENS unit and kinda like the shocks actually) but when the doctor started stabbing me with needles the pain was too much. I started crying and had a panic attack and had to make them stop before the test was complete. I have a huge fear of needles and they didn't tell me before hand that they were going to put needles in me. Only after I was crying and freaking out did the doctor mention they could have given me a sedative prior to doing the test.

I'm not trying to scare you out of getting it done, if your doctor thinks it will help get you better treatment then it is worth doing. But if you have a fear of needles like me you should mention it.