Harriet Vane Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I am having an EMG tomorrow to assess numbness in my hands (probably due to bulging disc, but they want to cover all the bases). What will happen? How should I dress? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Wear something comfortable. Loose. These are not terribly painful tests but are really high ick factor. I am sorry that you have to go through this and hope that you get definitive answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Wear something comfortable. Loose. These are not terribly painful tests but are really high ick factor. I am sorry that you have to go through this and hope that you get definitive answers. Define "really high ick factor." What exactly do you mean by that? I know literally nothing about this test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I am having an EMG tomorrow to assess numbness in my hands (probably due to bulging disc, but they want to cover all the bases). What will happen? How should I dress? Thanks! During the EMG, they stick tiny needles into your muscles to measure electrical activity. They also usually do Nerve Conduction Studies, which involve taping an electrode to your skin and giving you a small electric shock. You don't have to do anything special to prepare. I was absolutely freezing during mine, and it messed up the results. They had to give me a bunch of warmed up blankets before they could continue. I don't know if that's common. I'm always cold. I found the test quite unpleasant. It's hard to describe. It wasn't terribly painful, just very unpleasant. Sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I found the test quite unpleasant. It's hard to describe. It wasn't terribly painful, just very unpleasant. Sorry. :grouphug: I agree about it not being terribly painful, but mostly unpleasant. The only exception for mine is that my issues were in my toes so they included the sensitive skin in the arch of the foot. It ranked less on the pain scale than a broken arm, rupturing ear drum, or labor :001_huh: but I can't say it felt especially great. They had me wear a hospital gown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) Is this different from a nerve conduction study? I had one of those. It was hell. It was like having someone stab you in the hand with a blunt object. Sorry..hope it's something different than that. :grouphug: This is different but you may have had an EMG and nerve conduction it at the same time--I know I did. I'm pretty sure the nerve conduction is the putting electrical shocks into the nerves. The EMG is needles in the muscles and they ask you to relax or contract said muscle groups. You'll be laying down OP. They record the muscle response. To my recollection the nerve conduction was more uncomfortable than the EMG but, again, they were all together for me. Neither is fun. OP, you'll be ok :grouphug:. I didn't find it terribly painful. Just dress comfortably. Edited February 17, 2012 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nynyny Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Is this different from a nerve conduction study? I had one of those. It was hell. It was like having someone stab you in the hand with a blunt object. Sorry..hope it's something different than that. :grouphug: If it's a nerve conduction study, concentrate on anything else during the procedure. Use breathing exercises--anything that distracts. I think it affects everyone different, and I am a big baby when it comes to that kind of stuff. Good luck. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Will I be allowed to read during the procedure? That would help--I can tune anything out while reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nynyny Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I don't know. Like the others said, I did not find the EMG painful, just icky to have muscles twitching. During the nerve conduction test, they are giving you little shocks, so it may be difficult to concentrate on a book. But maybe you won't have both tests. Hope you let us know how it goes.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I hope that all went well today! :grouphug: and :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 :grouphug:I'm hoping your test goes well today.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks everyone. I had the test this morning. It was really icky. The long needles in my neck gave me the heebie-jeebies (the ones in my arms weren't pleasant either, but the neck ones grossed me out for some reason), and I really *hated* the electric shocks. I was not able to read during the procedure because the neuro wanted to ask questions and get my feedback. I'm not sure if I would have been able to concentrate for the electric shocks portion. I'm just glad to have it done and now trying to figure out what to do from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks everyone. I had the test this morning. It was really icky. The long needles in my neck gave me the heebie-jeebies, and I really *hated* the electric shocks. I was not able to read during the procedure because the neuro wanted to ask questions and get my feedback. I'm not sure if I would have been able to concentrate for the electric shocks portion. I'm just glad to have it done and now trying to figure out what to do from here. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nynyny Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Glad it is over for you. Hope your results are good.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Thanks everyone. I had the test this morning. It was really icky. The long needles in my neck gave me the heebie-jeebies (the ones in my arms weren't pleasant either, but the neck ones grossed me out for some reason), and I really *hated* the electric shocks. I was not able to read during the procedure because the neuro wanted to ask questions and get my feedback. I'm not sure if I would have been able to concentrate for the electric shocks portion. I'm just glad to have it done and now trying to figure out what to do from here. I hve been thinking of you and hope you get answers. I have been down that road and it is not easy. Suffice it to say that I trust no one but myself. PM for details if you need more info. I am glad the test is over it is really icky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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