EMG Experiences and preparation

[austignite2020]

When you guys had your EMGs, did the doctor/tech warm up your body first? I had one doctor that did, but another one didn't. Just curious about others experiences? Thanks!

 

[twinTwosome]

I did wear a blanket, but it was cold in there.

 

[Krackersones]

I think the warming has more of an impact on the nerve conduction part of the test or at least that is what my own "googling" has led me to believe. I "googled" this issue because the same thing happened to me. I had three tests and was warmed on the second but not the first or third. The third revealed severely slow nerve conduction in my sensory nerves (7 of them) and I read being cold can make your nerves slower. The first and second showed no problems at all. So I obviously wondered whether my results were accurate since I was not warmed on the third test which was done days after the second one. I asked the neuro about this and reacted in a very defensive manner. I don't remember his exact words but the gist was that the results were accurate and the warming issue had no effect. I think but don't know that every clinic or doctor may have their own norms or formula based on the conditions in their facility. I asked if the warming was not an issue because they account for this in the calculations. The neuro just repeated that the test was accurate. He did not want to give me more of an explanation and was offended that I was questioning him. I also read that drinking caffeine can speed up nerve conduction and I had caffeinated coffee that morning. I think these tests can be effected by different things but how much probably varies. It is frustrating because we want the test to be as accurate as possible. In the end, I try to realize that if there is something missed because of temperature etc it is probably not that significant. Maybe this is why the neuro was annoyed with my questions. Maybe he thought it might have made some difference but not enough to be analyzing it for the purposes of my situation. If you find out anything more, I would be interested.

 

[CheshireCat]

During my nerve conduction study, my neurologist felt of my foot and said it felt cold so he took the temp. He said it was like 88 F I think. He made me put my foot in hot water for about 15 minutes then came back and re-did the study. He said it was common for neurologists to not take that into account and he knows patients who have had surgeries for neuropathy that was not needed because they were cold during the conduction study.

 

[Krackersones]

clutchfan,What you said is not what I wanted to hear but I think it reflects a reality that we have to be aware of to some extent. Nothing really suprises me anymore.Krackersones

 

[BarbiePetals]

I had to warm up my hands under warm water before the test.

 

[seadragonsovereign]

I have had two separate NCT's now in both they warmed the areas to be tested under a heat lamp. There was no warming involved during the EMG portions.

 

[Krackersones]

But problems on the nerve conduction study point to non-ALS causes for fasciculations. So in some ways bad signs on the ncs are reassuring strangly enough.