[KathrynL]

M neuro wants me to have a nerve conduction test/emg on June 19th and on the advice of people here, I'm thinking of not doing it. Will a nerve conduction test even show RSD? What's the point of even doing it? I was first diagnosed with RSD in 2003, but I've never had a nerve conduction test. The doctor said it was to confirm RSD, but does she mean it's to rule out other nerve entrapments to confirm it's RSD?

[painman2009]

this test can only tell the dr more about what is affected.. there is no tried and true test for rsd. ruling out is all they have.. I haven't heard or seen anything to say different

[LIT LOVE]

It won't confirm RSD. It could show nerve entrapment that if surgically repaired could possibly calm things down... Maybe.

Why now, though? Some WC docs just insist that all their patients have them done. Is it being performed at his/her office? If so, it could be for monetary reasons.

Have you had a bad reaction to needles from either blood draws or IV's? If so, this will be significantly worse. That being said, I underwent one rather than jeopardize my WC benefits.

http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_99.htm

http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_21.htm

[picobill]

The only test that can diagnose CRPS is a Triple phase bone scan, and at that it's only good around 65% or less of the time. As said they can use the Nerve conduction test to find areas where there is a problem that might respond to surgery or some other treatment that might help. Of course the if's are there if they find an area that shows problems, if whatever they try helps rather than hurts by causing the CRPS to spread... The one thing I know from people that have had the test done after getting CRPS is it's going to hurt like the dickens! Odds are also good that it will 'cause a flare.. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[LIT LOVE]

http://rsdfoundation.org/test/history.html

http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_c...uidelines.html

I think these 2 links might help.

Good luck.

[edever34]

My only concern is the needles. I had this done early on and it showed a nerve system with no response, but Dr. said that was NOTHING. Mind you this was one of the 14 Docs that I went to and never got a DX.

It did hurt a lot and I would never get it done again or any type of invasive procedure for that matter. Fondly-Carol

[Imahotep]

Originally Posted by picobill

The only test that can diagnose CRPS is a Triple phase bone scan, and at that it's only good around 65% or less of the time. As said they can use the Nerve conduction test to find areas where there is a problem that might respond to surgery or some other treatment that might help. Of course the if's are there if they find an area that shows problems, if whatever they try helps rather than hurts by causing the CRPS to spread... The one thing I know from people that have had the test done after getting CRPS is it's going to hurt like the dickens! Odds are also good that it will 'cause a flare.. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

This test and the hand scan show problems with my good hand. Well, I have RSD in it now but it's different than the originally affected hand in such a way that I can still use it a lot.

The nerve conduction test will often provide "false positives" early in the disease course and you're usually lucky if no operates. While there really is a conduction problem it is secondary to RSD and the one thing RSD hates most is being cut on or further injury.

[KathrynL]

Thanks everyone for all the great information. Thank you to Lit Love, those links you included were very helpful. The information was great. When I had my first go round with RSD, there wasn't this much information out there. Or at least I couldn't find it. I think maybe the neuro wants to cover all the bases and make doubly sure it's not a nerve entrapment. Ordinarily I would have asked her this when I was in the appointment, but all the pain has made my brain mushy. Perhaps I'll call her Tuesday to check.

She said she wanted to do the nerve conduction test to "confirm it was RSD." At first, I thought she meant the nerve conduction test would show RSD. But maybe she meant, if nothing showed on the nerve conduction test, it's definitely not a neuropathy, thus definitely RSD again.

I think despite the pain and risks involved, I may have to do the nerve conduction test. I'm on short-term disability leave from work, and I think they need some objective clinical evidence to give creedence to the RSD diagnosis, especially if I don't go back to work after my short-term disability runs out. The only "test" the docs have done is a neck MRI. Because I've had RSD before, they were pretty quick to say it's RSD again. I'm confident it is too, but they haven't made me do as many tests as I did the first time, so there's not as much info to give the disability company.

I know the nerve conduction test will be painful, is there anything I can do to make it less so? Will pain killers help?

[LIT LOVE]

I had Lidoderm patches and break through meds in my pocket to take as soon as the test was completed. I should have requested a driver, because my ride fell through, so I had to wait in my car for a good hour to make sure I was safe to drive--and that probably was still on the questionable side.

If this is a new area that recently developed, it might nor be as bad. I've gone through them prior to onset, early during onset, maybe 5 years post, 10+ years post. The last one was significantly worse, even though I wasn't properly medicated during the 3rd one.

Take a warm bath with Epsom Salts right away if this gives you relief.

It might not be that bad. (I totally can relate with having to go through with it even though I knew it was a bad idea. Going through with it meant they had no excuse to deny some of the more important referrals I've had during the past year--including WC paid Ketamine infusions.) Just be prepared if it causes a major flare. Speaking of which, a better diagnostic test would be a sympathetic block--and you could get some relief from it as well. A bone scan might be an option as well, or a thermogram (make sure this is done somewhere that has extensive RSD experience.)

[LIT LOVE]

I noticed your other post in the remission thread and it reminded me--if you're not currently on a course of steroids, that would be a good idea as well. I can't remember if I did or not, but I always have them in for flares, travel, etc. If it's the kind that builds up, you want to be at the strongest dosage the day of the test. If the packs starts at the highest dosage, start it the morning of the test, etc.

And since I'm having a weird flare myself, this was a good reminder for me as well! One of those Homer Simpson "doh!" moments.