nerve conductivity test

[mopinko]

on top of flaring whatever-it-is-i-have. oh.my.fucking.god.
and they don't even warn you. :banghead:

[Warpy]

1. The EMG is one of the most uncomfortable tests out there

and yes, you should have been warned.

Personally, I think anyone having that test needs Valium, a lot of it.

However, the information it can turn up can mean the difference between a diagnosis that can be treated and one that can't.

[Lurking Dem]

2. They didn't warn you?

That's almost criminal.

[mopinko]

3. they warn you what the test will be like, but not the aftermath

and i guess my doc thought i was already on enough pain drugs. i shudder to think what would have happened to me if my friends had not warned me.

[Lurking Dem]

4. Ah.

I didn't have much aftermath other than the interminable length of the painful test putting me in bed for the day. But I'm often in bed for the day.

But you've been sounding like you're in a full flare of whatever it is they don't know you have, right? It HAD to have exacerbated that. I'm guessing you also have some adrenal exhaustion from your body's attempts at fighting the inflammation.

One of my biggest problems with the test is I don't exhibit that I am in pain. The worst one is the fat needle they stick in the nerve between your thumb and forefinger and then have you squeeze their hand while they electrocute it.

I don't let go. I don't cry out. I don't break into a sweat (the nerves that control that are dead) so all they go on is what they read on the screen.

Everyone was amazed when my neuro and rheumy tests came back that I wasn't screaming all the time and demanding drugs.

As my regular doctor so succinctly told them, "She is not a whiner."

The GOOD news is it hurt. You have some nerve conduction. Trust me, it could be worse.

[kdmorris]

5. OK, I'm a little weirded out now

Mine didn't hurt. I barely felt anything. I had it done for numbness in my feet (Diabetes, don't you know).

Was I supposed to feel anything except the jerking feeling?

[Lurking Dem]

6. The more nerve conduction you have

the more it's going to hurt.

My legs and feet were mostly just jerking. But even the jerking means you have nerve conduction.

It depends a lot on who is doing the test as well. Some techs are better than others.

I discovered I had lost a toenail last night. Never felt a thing. I guess my pedicure days are over.

[mopinko]

7. guess i rang the bell.

doc ordered an mri of cervical spine. whooooopie, more tests.