EMG Test: Going in Optimistic

[nibdenice]

Hi all,

Well, my EMG is finally tomorrow a.m., after about 5 cancellations. I'm determined to get through this, even though I wish I wasn't doing it.

I see everyone here on the board who has done it -- if you all can do it, so can I. I will go in there and think good thoughts and just get through it. I hope it's not too bad. I think the electric shock thing just freaks me out.

Do they put all the needles in at once and then do random shocks, or is it more controlled.

Yikes -- it might be a long night. I don't know why I'm so concerned. Maybe it will truly be no big deal. I'm just hoping to get some peace of mind from this.

 

[diotz2]

Good luck! You'll be fine. Really, it isn't that bad...

 

[JennFiction]

Hi Katie,

You are brave. I haven't had an EMG...I may get one some day...if I ever graduate, and get a real job with health benefits. I am sure you will be fine!!!! I'll be thinking of you ) !
Jen

 

[TheTrex]

Katie,

I've had EMGS twice. To me they really weren't that bad. My neurologist did the nerve conduction test first. He poked me and then used a tape measure to determine the length of nerve conduction. All was normal.

Then he did the muscle test. He poked me with the muscle at rest and then had me activate the particular muscle he was testing to see if there were any fasic's. It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't that bad either. Nothing even close to what labor feels like. Not close at all.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. The relief you feel after being told everything is normal, as I'm sure it will be, is by far worth it. I have had other medical procedures that were much more uncomfortable.

Sometimes we have to go through a little bit of discomfort in life. But to me that short period of physical discomfort wasn't nearly as intolerable as the mental and emotional discomfort of being so afraid that something is wrong me.

A little word of advice. Trust your neurologist when he tells you everything is okay. I was relieved for awhile and then on the rollercoaster ride of fear thinking that maybe he was wrong. I came to this forum and got the reassurance I was looking for and now I am doing much better, physically and emotionally.

Good luck and take care,

Lee