Any advice?
 

I am scheduled to have an EMG next week out of town, after suffering for 4 years with numbness and weakness in my arms and hands, shoulders, and nerve pain in my feet and legs, as well as some sciatica. I do have degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, scoliosis and have had prior back surgery.

It is about a 4 hour drive to where I will be taking the test. Will I be ok to drive home alone after the test?

Is the test done without a verbal indication from me regarding the pain level that I am feeling or is it all done by machine? Some days are far worse than others and I am concerned that by doing one test on one day, might not give the true results.

Can someone please explain to me what to expect?

Thank you so much!

I could not drive 8 hours in one day by myself if I didn't have any kind of tests done. I would plan on getting a motel room.

The EMG test was not fun when I had it.

EMG consists of tiny needles stuck deep into muscle, then moved around (pulled in and out). The needles are attached to wires that are attached to a computer or computer-like machine. Sounds HORRIBLE, but if the person knows what they are doing, NOT bad. I've had it once, my sister has had it twice. When my MG specialist did each of us, virtually painless. When another doc did my sister's test, it HURT!

The machine makes a crackling noise that is somehow important (I'm not medical, so I don't know why). The doc listens to this noise AND looks at a computer/monitor screen to see "something". He didn't ask me or my sister anything during the test -- except to sometimes "flex/tighten/move" a muscle. The noise and the visual on the screen answer the doctor's questions.

The EMG has no side-effects that I know of. As soon as it is over, you are fine. You might have a few tiny little pin-point bruises the next day -- like you got an injection.

The RNC on the other hand.....the test from @#&*^%!!! For my sister, who also has neuropathy, pretty easy. For me.....................I thought I was gonna DIE!! I called the thing a TASER -- cause that is what it sort of looks like and definitely what I think it feels like as it SHOCKS the poop out of you!!! :eek:

I was completely exhausted by the RNC. Couldn't have driven to the corner market.

Actually, I'm with Celeste. With MG, I could NOT drive for 8 hours in one day! I have trouble driving TWO hours (and ALWAYS have a back-up driver in the car with me, just in case).

What is RNC? I looked it up on the internet, and all I could come up with was the Republican National Committee. I think the probability is great that you are not referring to that RNC.............

:D Repetitive Nerve Conduction is what I was intending. I think it is also called Repetitive Nerve Stimulation and maybe a few other things????

I just say it is the thing I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do again!!

That must be the one where they shock you with an electric cattle prod over and over and tell you to hold still. I agree. I won't be playing that game again.

I drove after the EMG, but I only had to drive a half hour. My muscle were sore and achy afterward.

kathie

I have had tons of these, and while I would not go seeking one out, because they are not pleasant, they are not horrific and you recover as soon as they stop.

I had IVIG infusions next door to the room where the neuro did the EMG's for about 6 years. There was never any problem with the patient walking or doing anything they wanted to do after the test (they had to walk by our door and we saw all of them)! There were a couple I could have told they had mg before the test.

I would worry about the 8 hour drive with mg though. I can do about 4 and then I have to rest. I have been known to pull off in a church yard and sleep for a couple of hours before driving the other 3 hours to get to my sisters house in Virginia.

Take it easy and don't overdo! That will definitely make your mg worse.

Juanita

Hi, Sue. Welcome to the forum!

First, please read my thread on vitamin deficiencies.

Do you know if you're having a RNS/RNC test, a regular EMG, or a Single Fiber EMG? They will often perform both a RNS/RNC and EMG at the same time.

You should avoid caffeine for at least 24 hours before the test. It might affect the results. You should stay warm and hydrated for the test (no matter which one it is).

The RNS sucks but it's doable. They will insert a needle and give you a series of stimulations into your muscle. If you need to make noises or talk, do it! Let the techs know if it's too much or if you need to rest in between "series" of jolts. Ask them to tell you when they are beginning and how long each series will last. Meditation can help, if you do it.

An EMG hurts, but it's more like a single prick of pain at a time. It's the test I least hated. ;)

A Single Fiber EMG requires your participation. The tech or doctor will ask you to lift up your forehead or one finger on your hand, for example. That helps them get a better signal. It's more of a constant stimulation but it's not as bad necessarily as the RNS/RNC. For me, the facial muscles hurt the most.

You can do it!!! It's a temporary inconvenience to figure out what is going on with you. Perhaps you could arrange to give yourself a treat of some kind afterwards, for getting through it!!! :cool:

I hope the test goes well and that you get answers!

Annie