Topic: any one have nerve conduction study and EMG
MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
A new neurologist I am seeing wants to do a nerve conduction study and an EMG (electromyogram). Both tests are performed at the same time.
The testing "is designed to check the neurological and neuromuscular conditions which are caused by diseases of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system including nerve roots in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions and their extensions which are usually called peripheral nerves".
Apparently, it can diagnose Lou Gehrig's disease, pinched nerves, myasthenia gravis, and specific pathological conditions affecting the peripheral nerves (myopathies and muscular dystrophies).
Just wondering what it might really mean, or, do, wondering what to really expect. Anyone ever have these tests, get anything useful or not useful out of it?
**moving to medical**
[ 10-19-2014, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: faithful777 ]
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
All it told me was that I had carpal tunnel and I already knew that. Flared it up for weeks.
The test was EXTREMELY painful for me. I refuse to EVER have to do that again.
I think the painful one was the nerve conduction study, not the EMG.
It was like being constantly shocked with a cattle prod. Only difference was the setting and the instrument!!
PS... I took a pain pill and a Xanax before going. Nearly useless, but would hate to think what it would have been like without them.
What symptoms are you having?
My Dr was looking for neuropathy.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96173 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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MichaelTampa
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Member # 24868
posted
[I did mean to post this in Medical Questions, not General Support, so if anyone wants to move it, that would be nice.]
I have had false warm sensations in my right hand and right foot that come and go. Basically, it feels like I am holding something hot in my hand for a brief period of time, or similar for my foot, but I'm not.
I have been having all sorts of cognitive difficulties--word recall, focus/concentration, short-term memory, etc.
My symptoms are worse from exposure to fluorescent lights, wireless signals, perfumes. There are other multi-system symptoms.
It looks a lot like a migraine diagnosis to the neurologist.
He also did a reflex test on my knees, and they were incredibly sensitive and really shot/kicked violently. That is nothing new to me over the years. What he did that no other doc has done, is a similar test on my elbows, which showed very very minor reflex, which he thought was more normal. Because I had strong reflex but just in the knees, he concluded there was an issue with the spinal cord somewhere. He is also ordering an MRI of the cervical spine (spine near the neck), so it seems he is looking for something in that area.
It is a bit concerning if it could make things a lot worse for weeks. This is an out of town doctor, and I was hoping to be able to drive significant distance the following day. I wonder how usual your experience was.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- EMG / Nerve Conduction test done at that same time for me. It was the most excruciating experiences I have ever encountered. Ever. They stick needles deep into your tissue, for crying out loud. And they leave them there the entire test. Also move them around. I cannot tell you how painful this was, off the charts.
Some say they were not bothered by this so I must say that - and I'm hoping the needles are not as thick as when I had this done but the are most certainly not those thin acupuncture type of needles.
They told me nothing I did not already know: carpal tunnel.
They CANNOT diagnose all they say, either. They can tell you if there are nerve issues, period. The cause, they cannot tell by that test.
And they will likely be able to tell you no more than you already know.
As for pinpointing stuff, well, there are other diagnostics that are NOT invasive, painful and stress producing -- and that kind of pain & torture is bad for your adrenal system for days - AND for your heart (yes, it was torture for me, decades later the pain is vivid).
If they can't believe you in what you tell them, use their own diagnostic skills, their brain, they wisdom then I say they are rather poor diagnosticians to depend on a method of torture.
If they hit a damaged nerve, guess what then? And, with lyme, many of the nerve fibers are compromised, there is not the same kind of thickness in the myelin sheath.
But even just puncturing healthy tissue, that's just not good for anyone. Barbaric. -
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Keebler
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- Do you currently have a LLMD? Are you still treating for lyme / coinfections?
The symptoms all sound like classic lyme & co. Of course, there could be other things but a LLMD is best to assess who else / what else (test wise) to bring on board with diagnostic process. -
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Keebler
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[this type is excellent for those with lyme as there is no sudden twisting of the spine or neck - which should never be done with some who deals with lyme]
FIND A THERAPIST trained in UPLEDGER TECHNIQUE (not all trained in cranial-sacral also have the visceral training so do ask first.)
Some who are trained in this (such as a D.O. or P.T.) may be covered by your insurance. -
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
I had one done. I started to cry it was so painful. this ass of a doctor told me to shut up and quit being such a baby.
I stopped it and left. he told my llmd I was rude and uncontrollable.
well screw you....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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hiker53
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posted
I had both tests done and while they were not fun and I did have tears in my eyes, they were not as bad as the lumbar puncture headache. LOL
The tests did not keep me from doing anything afterwards (did not lay me up in bed or anything)
I learned nothing from them--still have the tingling in my foot that comes and goes.
I have very active reflexes--always did--even as a healthy child. Any time they tap on my knees or elbows with the hammer the MD sees a quick large response.
Don't know that it has anything to do with Lyme as I have always been that way.
Hiker53
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8559 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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droid1226
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posted
It all depends on what part of the body they are doing. I had my leg done and it wasn't bad, just felt like repeated shots like when you get blood drawn. But then he did my toes and that was not too comfortable to put it mildly.
Michael, you will be able to drive unless you have bad carpal tunnel right now. Take a bunch of anti-inflammatories and bring a wrist brace?
Also, try upping your magnesium BIG TIME before and after. I think I was deficient in mag at the time and that could make a difference.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96173 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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MichaelTampa
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Member # 24868
posted
Thanks to all with their responses/experiences. It does seem like it's quite the terribly unpleasant experience. Just regular searches on the internet for other people's responses to the procedure gives a much more pleasant review. It seems it is much more rough for people with lyme, compared to what the other reasons are for doing it.
To give a little more context, I am in the process of documenting varoius problems/symptoms I have to help with future legal-oriented actions to come, trying to be a little vague here.
So one potential benefit could be documenting a problem that nerves aren't working as they should, even if it provides no insight into treatment. Having an LLMD think I have lyme without tests saying so may not be as convincing.
If there is some real issue with nerves in the neck or spine, pinched nerve or whatnot, that needs addressing beyond what treatment an LLMD might provide, that could be worth knowing from a treatment aspect. I guess I don't know if this test has enough of a chance to do that. I have had shoulder pain to a few years that has been improved doing structural work, so I know things haven't been right structurally for some time, at least in the shoulder area.
Keebler -- Yes, I have an LLMD I am working with for treatment. The neruologist is involved because they are more trusted for documentation, and also in case there are other aspects of my case where additional problems exist that need to be addressed. What are you suggesting if they hit a damaged nerve? Is that when it hurts a lot, or are you suggesting it could cause permanent damage or other long-lasting symptoms?
Hiker -- Could you clarify regarding the tingling in your foot that comes and goes ... was that caused by having the study, or was that something that you had beforehand (that the study evidently didn't help treat)?
Lymetoo -- I understand the anti-inflammatory suggestion to keep the pain down. What would a wrist brace be for?
[ 10-19-2014, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: MichaelTampa ]
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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Keebler
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- TuTu may suggest bring a wrist brace to the appointment / test so that you can better / more safely drive home. I remember when carpal tunnel was the worst for me, driving was dangerous if I just turned my wrist on tiny bit the "wrong" way.
A wrist support will give you added protection and safety. I also assume you've figured out various ways to hold the steering wheel, etc.
Wearing wrist braces, especially at night helped me so much. Our hands can be pushed into all sorts of positions at night and the wrist braces will prevent that kind of bending.
Also assessing ergonomics in all aspects of your life can help. At computer, sitting, how you move your body, all the fine details.
A method like FELDENKRAIS for body mechanics -- and UPLEDGER for full body cranial sacral -- and an Upledger practitioner assessing this issue would be what I would do first. Their techniques can also help.
Q: "What are you suggesting if they hit a damaged nerve?
Is that when it hurts a lot, or are you suggesting it could cause permanent damage or other long-lasting symptoms?" (end quoted Q)
Any of that. It's also very stressful to the adrenal system. That state of bio-chemical toxic alarm can be more for some than for others. If you do this, be sure to be sturdy with adrenal support.
I also just want to shout "Stop the painful diagnostics !" -- there must be other ways to "see" inside.
They also must just believe what the patient explains as that tells them a lot.
It's time to step away from invasive methods, even if some manage to do okay, many certainly do not. By this day and computer age, there simply must be a better method if they want visual diagnostics. -
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Keebler
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- Michael,
You may want to research, find out what this CAN do and what it cannot -- and what other tests may do the same with less invasion,
the current state and the exact instrument they will use. Likely, you can call the department where this will be done to get key detail.
See if you can find that instrument's direct website for any video.
Also - what I would do - is actually go by the place where this will be done. Make some kind of "informational interview" appointment with a tech who can show you the range of the exact needles that will be used.
Maybe you will find the test has progressed in nature. Let's hope so. But I'd want to SEE before I decide and absolutely before the moment of the test.
I hope you find what you need and that the information help.
WONDER if taking any anti-inflammatory agents BEFORE the test might skew the results of what's really there? Just wonder about that. I don't know. -
[ 10-20-2014, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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lpkayak
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posted
Three times neuros stopped cuz i screammed so much frim.pain
No results
I dont think its helpfulfor lyme
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I've had them both (at the same time) due to numb shin and foot sole etc. I didn't think it was that bad but it also didn't shed much insight into anything.
Mine was normal but i did have the 'skin punch biopsy' done afterward (leg) which was not pleasant but not horrific, and did at least confirm a Small Fibre Neuropathy.
At the time the diagnosis was used to try and direct neuro meds but i didn't know at that point that i had Lyme. Ultimately it's usefulness was just as a component of the Lyme picture.
Having said all that, if you are well insured maybe you want to just do it in the possible event that you are having an issue that can be identified and helped. Honestly, i didn't find the actual tests bad at all. Good Luck:)
posted
I had it too. I was terrified. I called my Rheumatologist office panicked about the test. It was very painful but I think I imagined worse. It all depends on your pain threshold...
When it's over the pain is gone.
It will help rule out those diseases. It did in my case then I kept searching until I finally was diagnosed with Lyme.
Have you had a Western Blot?
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