I wish I could say that the EMG I had was painless. I have a very high tolerance for pain and, yet, the EMG I had at Mayo a couple of years ago, was probably the most painful test I have ever experienced. I am scheduled for another one and am not looking forward to it.

I've had the unfortunate need (over the past 20 years) of undergoing 3 nerve and muscle conduction studies, under three different neurologists, 2 of which were qualified/certified to do the procedures. EACH was painful for me, particularly since fibromyalgia is an intrinsic aspect of my medical history. The first time, I put up with as much as I could and finally told the male doctor to just PLEASE STOP. On a Pain Scale, my pain ranged from a 7 to 9 out of 10. The second neurologist ( I later learned) was NOT certified and yet insisted she could do the test "with very little discomfort, NO pain.." I don't recall what she gave me but it definitely made the testing very tolerable. Then the last one was in '21, with a board certified neurologist whom I verified was indeed qualified, trained/licensed to do the procedures. The Pain ranged from a 6 to a high of 9 (out of 10). So I don't understand how anyone could label these procedures as not painful at all. I would say the person has an extremely high pain threshold and definitely has no issues like fibromyalgia. The testing in 2021 was for determining why I was having nerve pain and numbness in the ankle/foot/lower leg areas traumatized in a harsh fall onto concrete slab floor in a food warehouse facility. My foot "caught" under a misplaced large obstacle and got seriously wrenched in the fall. THAT 2021 study was worthwhile having endured because it did show evidence of "damaged" areas, thus supporting my claims of the described pain and the consequential affects on my ability to stand/walk for longer than about 30 minutes (had to then sit, elevate legs, place alternating warm/cold on the affected areas). I could only take Alleve since I have serious adverse reactions to ALL pain medications, especially the more intense ones like codeine, morphine, tramadol, gabapenten.
It's been 2 years since the accident date, and I am STILL with those issues in the affected leg/foot. My neurologist diagnosed regional pain syndrome and referred me to pain management doctor who insisted on something else instead, to which I said no and returned to my neurologist, who supported my decision. I am now waiting to see another PM doctor (recommended by my neurologist), to see if he will administer the parasympathetic block. Life has been tough these past two years, since the fall affected my entire left side, but the areas still with pain issues are the entire leg (torn meniscus, nerve damage along sides of knee and down both sides of leg). The left arm/elbow/hand/shoulder have thankfully healed significantly. Needless to say, my life as I knew it changed drastically that fateful June morning in 2021...