PN worse after somatasensory test?
 

Wed I had a 2 hour, all 4 extremities somatasensory evoked response test -- basically they stick electrodes on you, stim and then measure response time.

I was fine during and immediately after the test.

Yesterday and today I am having the worst sensation in just my toes, all 10 of them -- as if someone is relentlessly sticking a gazillion pins in them. I'm not sure I've ever experienced this particular sensation ... and certainly not this long and this painful.

Has anyone had the SER and had a similar reaction?

I'd call the neuro who ordered the test but of course it's Friday afternoon and ... I don't want him to think I'm a baby. We really don't know each other yet, only had one appointment. :(

Ssep
 

Hi. If we are talking about the same test - (SSEP?) I remember it made each limb they were testing jerk repetedly for about half an hour each... and yes, the next couple of days the PN symtoms were much worse - I have a feeling the nerves were going - WHAT WAS THAT?

Hang in there :)

Hi, Karen, the test was called SER, and Billye gave me a good link to a description:

http://www.sparrow.org/neuro/neuro_ser.asp

It was pretty much as described. First they did the hands, then disconnected and connected at the ankle and behind the knee and lower back.

The goal for the tech was to get my thumbs to ... tremor I guess. And probably the same with the big toes of each foot.

I could feel the current in a very unequal way:

for my left ankle, the tech had to really crank up the current before I could feel it at all, and then he adjusted till I could feel it in the toes and the big toe was stimulated to move throughout the test.

for my hands, in the left hand I could feel the stim in all fingers; right hand, I could only feel it in the palm it never extended to the fingers, but he did get the thumbs to move throughout the test.

I have no idea what if anything that means.

It does indeed feel like my toes are screaming. ;)

Hi AGain
 

Looked at description - name and description the same - just diff intials.... maybe give it a day or so - I know just doing any out of ordinary stress on my limbs makes them buzz/hurt/feel weird for a couple days after... and your right - being Friday - the neuro is probably out golfing - I know mines never in the office on Fridays!:)

try this...
 

soak in epsom salts... the magnesium will block the NMDA pain receptors,
and give some relief, hopefully. It is simple, cheap and harmless and worth
a try. Whenever your feet feel awful, a good soak is very helpful.

I would use 2-4 oz in a foot sized tub (like the size you was dishes in).

Thank you, I will give that a try! :)