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I had one a few years ago. It hurt, but was in no way unbearable. In my case, the temporary pain was well worth the test's diagnostic capabilities.
If I recall, each "stick" hurt quite a bit less than when you for instance have blood drawn.
I also do not recall being sore at all afterwards.
Best of luck!
Thanks. My mother had this test (years ago) and said it was painful and most people have said it is, so if they think so then I know it will be painful to me. I'd like to think positive but I don't want to be in there and make a fool of myself and have to ask them to stop.
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Originally Posted by Viralmd
It's somewhat painful, but the risks of general anaesthesia outweigh the benefits. Ask if you can bring some music to listen to.
What about taking a pill to knock me out? I don't think music would help me but it's a good idea. Put it this way, I have to take a pill to get my teeth cleaned every six months, so I would imagine getting this test will be painful to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bellalunatic
I just had an EMG a few months back. What are you getting it for?
I'm not sure I am getting it. I have FM and chronic Lyme disease but I have always felt I have nerve damage as well. I'm in pain all the time and when I describe it to people they always say it's a nerve issue so I wanted to look into this test.
Thanks. My mother had this test (years ago) and said it was painful and most people have said it is, so if they think so then I know it will be painful to me. I'd like to think positive but I don't want to be in there and make a fool of myself and have to ask them to stop.
What about taking a pill to knock me out? I don't think music would help me but it's a good idea. Put it this way, I have to take a pill to get my teeth cleaned every six months, so I would imagine getting this test will be painful to me.
I'm not sure I am getting it. I have FM and chronic Lyme disease but I have always felt I have nerve damage as well. I'm in pain all the time and when I describe it to people they always say it's a nerve issue so I wanted to look into this test.
I'm sorry to hear of your chronic lyme disease, I have a good friend that has been battling that for a few years now.
I had an EMG in my neck checking for nerve damage to my vocal chords (from thyroidectomy surgery)
I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was painful, but the irony of the whole thing for me was, when it was painful in a few spots, it was because there wasn't any nerve damage. However, on the side where I didn't feel any pain, just pressure, well....that's where the nerve damage is.
They did do a local for the needle insertion, if that's a problem for you.
And it also didn't take very long. I've had more painful things happen to me...
Last edited by bellalunatic; 02-28-2010 at 10:40 AM..
What about taking a pill to knock me out? I don't think music would help me but it's a good idea. Put it this way, I have to take a pill to get my teeth cleaned every six months, so I would imagine getting this test will be painful to me.
You should definitely ask your doctor. I am not sure if medication could affect the results of the test.
I do not have a high pain threshold and I promise you, the test was not difficult to "get through." Truthfully, I spent the entire time wondering if the medical residents could see that I wasn't wearing any panties under my gown!
An EMG is a very useful test. In my case, the test was performed on my hands, feet, arms and legs.
There is no pill to 'knock you out.' 'Knocked out' is general anaesthesia and that always carries risks. You might want an anxiolytic (like diazepam) but my guess is that the anticipation is worse than the reality of the actual procedure.
There is no pill to 'knock you out.' 'Knocked out' is general anaesthesia and that always carries risks. You might want an anxiolytic (like diazepam) but my guess is that the anticipation is worse than the reality of the actual procedure.
Yes, I would totally second that! I was way more concerned with the procedure itself. I had to keep reminding myself that at least now there would be something definitive, and then I could move on to learning how to deal with it, correct it or treat it.
Try asking your doc for a prescription for Neurontin. In layman's terms, it calms down the nerves so they don't transmit as strong a pain signal, or any pain signal. It's been a miracle for me and my sciatica from a bad spine. If it doesn't work, or if you've already tried it, that's different. Take it at night as it is quite sedating until you adjust to it.
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