How painful is a NCS/EMG study

I've had these tests done on 4 different occasions due to switching neurologists. They all wanted their own results, not what the findings were the previous time. It's not that bad, but it can take a few minutes. They insert a needle into the skin and run an electrical charge through it and "listen" to how the nerves react. It's not pleasant, but it could also be worse.
They'll also use the point of a safety pin to test your reflexes and sense of touch.

@mrmacabre
Its not pleasant? I'm assuming that means it actually hurts. I can't tale.it right now with the IT band on my right thigh being so inflamed and the quad muscles on that leg being also very sensitive. I'll just put it off till I can tolerate better. Also, I have a very bad ankle on the other leg and I can't stand anybody to touch it. Will that area have to be poked and prodded? If so, someone may end up with a very black eye!!!!

I’ve only had it in my hands. The pain was transient and mild, definitely worth the results (it allowed my hand surgeon much more knowledge to plan my hand reconstruction surgeries)

I had it done years ago on my arms and it was bad; especially the EMG part which I had to eventually stop completely. However, I don't think i can stand that kind of pain on my legs; neither of which are very good. Don't have the luxury of taking it easy for a few days afterwards either, and no one to drive me. I would hate to have a major muscle cramp while driving on these narrow two lane mountainous roads around here. Guess my safety isn't worth a damned; just their money making ability. I still have no idea what more this is going to prove than the MRI I have already done which states very clearly the damage and where it is at. Just another procedure to give them more money

@valleygirl1955
I wouldn’t say the tests are painful. More uncomfortable because of testing individual nerve function with probes. It is definitely a helpful test for neuromuscular assessment of nerve health.

@dlydailyhope
Uncomfortable? For how long. I don't have the luxury of taking a few down days. I live alone and have no support system so I'm responsible for keeping up my place I live at as well as myself, cleaning, eating, everything!! Can't be down a few days at light duty for an uncomfortable test. Besides, your idea of uncomfortable may actually be very painful to someone else. I had this done on my arms and it was painful. Full stop. I had to stop the EMG part due to the extreme pain it was causing. So, uncomfortable; maybe for you.

@valleygirl1955

Good luck. Sorry to bother you with my response.

@dlydailyhope you didn't bother me; and I believe that all information is good; so I will ponder on your response and plan according to my personal pain levels. Thank you for responding

@valleygirl1955
The test is only uncomfortable when they are doing it. You will not need downtime to recover. While it isn't pleasant, the test is certainly tolerable. And you could ask for the doctor to go slow. MRI cannot show the same results as this test. You can do this !!!

@carolynhughes75
I hope so