How painful is a NCS/EMG study

@valleygirl1955
I had the same experience. Bilateral arms and tears did eventually stream down my face. I found it to be painful and I do have pretty high pain tolerance. Actually, the Neurologist let me have a break after completing one arm. When he returned, he said he was amazed I was still on the table. He did say it is not uncommon for people to leave the office at halftime. But the truth is, it was the only way to obtain the diagnostic information necessary for appropriate treatment/surgery. Good luck! No residual pain from the procedure.

I put mine off for several months, dreading the pain. I wish I had done it sooner, as I would have been further down the road to trying to get a diagnosis. The worst part is the EMG, when they stick the needles in the muscles, but the test is pretty quick. Just do it? You'll be glad you did.

@bushelbasket I have read it takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours for lower extremities. I don't call that quick. Plus, from what I can gather they leave the needles in for about 1 to 2 minutes and move them around the entire time which seems would feel more like hours instead of minutes. Again, not my idea of quick. Quick would be in and out in under 30 minutes and maybe 5 to 10 minutes total with the needle crap. That would be quick.

I was in and out under 30 mins for both legs, but that’s just my experience.

@bushelbasket Thanx. That maybe won't be too bad. I just hope like heck that I get a good administrator of the tests and that if I say stop, they will respect my wishes. If not, I'll clobber them and then maybe they'll realize I'm not joking. I'm not above slapping the crap out of someone. Once, a nurse evidently didn't think my ankle was as touchy as I let on and I kicked the heck out of her teeth with my good leg and she never questioned my sincerity again. When I say stop, I don't mean for a teeny tiny break; I mean stop; I'm quitting and going home now. That is EXACTLY what I will stupulate in my agreement to having the procedure done and they better be sure that I MEAN every word of it! This may be a great diagnostic test, but I am not going to be tortured.

@valleygirl1955 Im curious about 1 thing, is this pre-surgical testing? I’ve had this procedure done on my legs several times. I’ve also had 14 back surgeries. I’m guessing by your Nick, you were born in 1955? I’m a ‘58 baby. And therefore a Medicare recipient? Both these tests and an MRI or CT are mandatory prerequisite tests if this is leading up to a surgery. There was no residual pain. But everyone is different. I would sum it up as moderate to moderate to severe depending on the person and test administration. Mine was moderate and there was no pain as I walked to my car after the test. When they are using the 2 needle probes, they stay long enough to hear any anomalies in the nerve from the speaker and move on. The second test is where you feel like you’re being electrocuted. But when it stops, the pain stops too. I’m definitely a patient advocate but I understand Medicare has unusual rules when it comes to diagnostic testing that you cannot escape. If you have a bulging disc, it’s important to know what nerve is specifically affected by it. This will confirm what an mri can’t. I pray you don’t need surgery as Medicare requires the most sadistic and painful test I’ve ever had. A Discogram of discography. I’d be more than willing to tell you or anyone that’s interested. You sound strong and independent. You won’t need home care or a day off unless you have a radical reaction which I doubt. Godspeed!

@bilt4pain thank you. Most helpful. Yes, it is prior to surgery. And yes, regular Medicare with Medicaid picking up the 20% . I realize now that I can stop it at any point I feel it too painful to continue, and I would. I just remember the 1 done on my arms as being excruciating and I tried to stopped it but the administrator kept saying "1 or 2 more"; like 15 times!!! I will stipulate in my consent that when I say stop; it means stop, I'm going home now; not stop for 30 seconds and continue. Hopefully this test and the administrator will be better than before.

@valleygirl1955 All my assumptions were correct. I hope you find the inner strength to overcome anything challenging about this testing. My worst experience at a neurologist office was going in for these tests, a doctor came in and said the brain tumor above my left ear was to be removed. What brain tumor ? I was scared to death. I didn’t have any brain imaging? I stayed in that room almost 90 minutes before someone else came in and said the doctor had the wrong chart and wrong room. Thank Goodness she wasn’t my doctor. It was a bad day, luckily I can laugh at it now.

@bilt4pain OMG!!!! I would have lost it right there and then. God bless you.

I've had both as well as biopsies for small fiber neuropathy. They're uncomfortable but I wouldn't say very painful. You might benefit from taking a pain reliever 30 minutes prior to the procedures. They involve some pressure with needles usually on the legs for peripheral neuropathies and some wires attached as well for the other part of the test. And it doesn't take very long at all. Just a few minutes.