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Topic: Ever have a nerve conduction study? (Read 396 times) |
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DonnaHar
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Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« on: May 3rd, 2006, 2:54pm » |
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Send me a PM letting me know what it was like. I have one coming up on Friday.
Somebody told me needles were involved, and with me trying to get my Coumadin level adjusted, (I'm a new user and my level is 8.3 right now) I don't want to bleed to death. Sure, I'll remind the doc. But needles?
I'm not happy with needles. Lab sticks are every 4 days right now and that's beyond enough.
Thanks.
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Gator
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #1 on: May 3rd, 2006, 5:47pm » |
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Here is what I found on the net:
http://www.csmc.edu/7080.html
Quote: In a nerve conduction study, several flat metal disc electrodes are taped or pasted to your skin. A shock-emitting electrode is placed directly over the nerve to be studied. A recording electrode is placed over the muscles supplied by that nerve. Several, brief electrical pulses are sent to the nerve. You will feel a brief, burning pain, a tingling sensation and a twitching of the muscle when the electrical pulse is applied. It feels like the tingling you feel when you rub your feet on the carpet then touch a metal object. The testing can be quite uncomfortable and makes some people nervous. Keep in mind that only a very low-voltage electrical current is used. Each pulse is very brief (less than a millisecond).
The time it takes the muscle to contract in response to the electrical pulse is recorded. The speed of the response is called the conduction velocity. The corresponding nerves on the other side of the body may be studied for comparison.
Nerve conduction studies are usually done before an EMG if both tests are being done. Nerve conduction testing takes 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending upon how many areas are studied.
Nerve conduction studies show whether the nerves transmit electrical impulses to the muscles or up the sensory nerves at normal speeds (conduction velocities). Sensory nerves allow the brain to respond to pain, touch, temperature and vibration. Different nerves have different normal conduction velocities. Nerve conduction velocities also tend to decrease as a person gets older. Slower conduction velocities may also be caused by injury or damage to a nerve (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) or group of nerves (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or post-polio syndrome). |
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Jasmyn
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #2 on: May 3rd, 2006, 5:55pm » |
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Good luck with the test Donna.
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Mikey
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #3 on: May 3rd, 2006, 6:26pm » |
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Donna, I've had several done, and what Gator put up is correct. There's NO needles involved just the disc. They will prep areas on your head and body so that the disc will make a good contact and that's really the most uncomfortable part of it. The small jolts they give you is about like a static shock in the winter time is all.
So You really have nothing to get worried about, the more you relax, the better off you will be.
Trust me, it's really not that bad.
Do you mind telling us what area of muscle that they will be checking? Sometimes, some areas are more uncomfortable than others is all.
Mikey............. 
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Jonny
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #4 on: May 3rd, 2006, 6:33pm » |
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Unless they came up with a better way in the last three years its done with needles, thats how the back specialist told me hows its done. he even joked that I shouldnt worry seeing that my body was a pin cushin already with all the tatts....LOL.....he then told me its really no biggie.
I never did have it done and maybe its done different ways on different parts of the body.
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
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fubar
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #5 on: May 3rd, 2006, 6:39pm » |
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Jonny, your are correct that it depends on the area of the body being tested. I had this test over 10 years ago and all they used was metal pads that they stick to your body with adhesive. The 'shocks' that send the impulse that they measure can be startling, but other than that it is a simple test.
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| « Last Edit: May 3rd, 2006, 6:39pm by fubar » |
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Mikey
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #6 on: May 3rd, 2006, 6:54pm » |
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The last one I had was about 2 months ago, and they done my whole right side because I'm having some weakness on that side, and they only used the disc, but they did not mess with my spine any, so you guys could be right about that.
I might have spoke too soon, that's why I ask about the part of the body being tested. I've never had them placed on my spine on any of the test done, so I wouldn't know how they handle that part.
Mikey.........
PS Donna, I would call my Doc and ask if they were going to use needles if you're worried about that.
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Redd
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #7 on: May 3rd, 2006, 7:00pm » |
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I had it done with the needles. Teflon coated and thinner than accupuncture needles, no blood, and painless. It was testing the conductivity in the nerves running down my shoulder to my hand.
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Jonny
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #8 on: May 3rd, 2006, 7:09pm » |
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on May 3rd, 2006, 7:00pm, Redd715 wrote:| I had it done with the needles. Teflon coated and thinner than accupuncture needles, no blood, and painless. It was testing the conductivity in the nerves running down my shoulder to my hand. |
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Thats what I was going to have, Pegg. because I was having pain in so many spots down my leg they wanted to find just which nerves were being pressed on by the bad discs in my back.
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Redd
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #9 on: May 3rd, 2006, 7:18pm » |
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I had lost use of my right arm for about 6 months, started about 3 months after my car accident. It wasn't numb, in fact it hurt like hell, but I also couldn't move it.
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Ueli
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #10 on: May 3rd, 2006, 8:06pm » |
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Well, Gator and Mikey gave the schoolbook procedure, but in practice (at least in my case) it went a bit different.
Getting no results with the electrodes on the feet the neuro turned up the juice to full strength, and still no results. So he moved the electrodes towards the knee and I got such a jolt that I was momentarily levitated above the table. Not satisfied with no results from the feet he stuck in some needled. But from that to only result was that after 4 years I'm still struggling for the needle holes to get closed.
Donna, I hope your experience will be better than mine.
Ueli 
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marlinsfan
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #11 on: May 3rd, 2006, 8:09pm » |
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I WAS going to tell my horror story (3 herniated disks), but after reading what Ueli wrote, mine was a walk in the park.....
I will tell you, though, that when we were done, I was drenched in sweat. They make you take your clothes off, though, but do bring a towel.
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DonnaHar
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #12 on: May 3rd, 2006, 9:40pm » |
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My problem is three bulging discs pinching the sciatica nerve which in turn causes pretty bad pain in my leg and hip joint, my calf and ankle and top of the foot on the left side. I also have spinal stenosis (congenital with arthritic build-up as I age) and a little scoliosis.
Right now, I have a patch about 3" wide by about 5 " long that is completely numb on my lower left leg, and a numb spot on the bottom of my left foot. Feels like I'm walking in a shoe filled with wads of paper. When walking barefoot on tile, it feels like I am walking on hot and cold coins. I guess that pretty well describes the feeling.
When I have a bad flare up, the pain is crippling. I'm put on a 75 mg. Fentynal patch which does a good job. The last flare-up was over a year ago and lasted 3 months, but the burning feet and numb patches are slowly spreading even now..
So, I guess it's needles for me, eh? I'll just go in and take what is necessary. I'm a former clusterhead, right?
Thanks to all for the info. I do appreciate it, but even more, any prayers and vibes you might have would be well received too.
Love you guys and gals,
Donna H.
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Jonny
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #13 on: May 3rd, 2006, 9:49pm » |
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on May 3rd, 2006, 9:40pm, DonnaHar wrote:| My problem is three bulging discs pinching the sciatica nerve which in turn causes pretty bad pain in my leg and hip joint, my calf and ankle and top of the foot on the left side. |
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Oh Donna (thats a song aint it? )
That is exactly my problem word for word, my good days are ok, my bad days hurt....but when it rocks, it rolls....no standing at all.
I feel for you, baby.....dont worry about this test, we know much pain to worry about a joy buzzer test!
Kickass vibes!!! 
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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DonnaHar
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #14 on: May 4th, 2006, 5:04am » |
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Jonny,
"Oh Johnny" is an old song too, originally by a girl named Bonnie Baker. I wish you could hear it! Knowing you, you'll find it somewhere. My mom used to play it on an old 45 record when I was a kid. My dad's name was Johnny as is my youngest son's.
Thanks for the post and vibes!
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marlinsfan
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #15 on: May 4th, 2006, 1:59pm » |
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So the test is to see if your nervous system is damagaed. What are you doing about the pain? I went thru the epidural steroid injetiosn and worked OK in my lower back, worked great in my neck.
In my lower back I had a disk nucleoplasty done, and it relieved about 90% of the pain.
Check it out:
http://www.nucleoplasty.com
My doc in S. Florida who did it is not on that site, but I can tell you how good it was for me.
Good luck!
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DonnaHar
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #16 on: May 4th, 2006, 8:34pm » |
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I've had a first and second opinion about surgery and it would be necessary to place a rod and also fuse bone. Due to my heart valve problem, they both advised against it. If I should become actually disabeled with it, then they might reconsider.
The flare ups have come along about every year or two and last almost exactly 12 weeks. The pain is severe and I use pain medication.....started out with 10 mg. hydrocodone tabs and graduated to 75 mg. Fentanyl patches which worked wonders. I got off the pain meds as soon as the severe pain passed. During the off-time, I just take Flexiril and extra strength Tylenol as needed, which isn't every day.. I still have a little back ache and leg pain, but it's bearable. After sitting awhile, I have to stand up and wait a minute before I can put any weight on my left leg. I try to be careful not to aggrevate the disks, but who knows what makes it start again.
The big problem now is the spreading of numbness on my leg and the bottom of my left foot. I could stick pins in it these areas and wouldn't feel it.
Well, tomorrow's the day for the test. 9:00 am. Keep me in your prayers or vibes if you don't pray.
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Carl_D
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #17 on: May 4th, 2006, 9:12pm » |
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The only thing that sucks is the jolts they give you, but it's not too bad. I found out I have neuropathy in my right pinky finger back a few years ago, and also have it in two toes on my right foot.
Will say a prayer that all goes well tomorrow. You'll do fine.
Hugs,
Carl D
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Jonny
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #18 on: May 4th, 2006, 9:17pm » |
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You will do fine, Donna......aint no stinking test can bother a CH/Sciatica sufferer 
I will be holding your hand....if my hand wanders just slap me in the face
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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cootie
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #19 on: May 4th, 2006, 10:59pm » |
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Good luck with the test. I have a large spot on my butt/hip area that has been numb about a good 8 years from a horse wreck injury to my back. I had problems with my one foot too for a few years where the side of my foot felt numb and when it touched the the ground it felt like I had a wad of cotton taped to the bottom side of my foot.......in winter it felt like it was frozen numb and drove me NUTS. Couldn't straighten my leg either totally for a while either when setting. I have a big hard lump now where the injury was on my lower spine and doc said I'll never get rid of the pain. Got a part in the middle of my back that's startin to get crooked from an injury and my neck is a freakin MESS......my vertibre rub together and click snap and pop 24/7 cuz of bad discs. The patches do seem to work but I I had to go to a lower dose cuz of the STUPOR they put me in. I am onea them people that has bad reactions to normal doses which are almost OVERDOSE levels to me. Excess wear and tear head to toe Pam
I get a couple flareups a year.....but the back/shoulder and neck pain is pretty much chronic. I had some GOOD wrecks on horses when I raced.
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| « Last Edit: May 4th, 2006, 11:02pm by cootie » |
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Charlie
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #20 on: May 5th, 2006, 12:04am » |
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Something I've never had. I wonder why?
By the way, I'm now on the generic of Coumadin. The nurse wouldn't let me shave in the hospital because... "our hospital razors are very sharp." I kid you not. 
Charlie
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cootie
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #21 on: May 5th, 2006, 12:33am » |
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Almost forgot........wanted to ask suma you back problem people a question if ya's don't mind ???? Has any of you had problems with sensations of feeling tempretures ? I'm havein lot of trouble with it and how the heck to dress anymore.....fineally warming up here too outside. I have the aweful burning that goes down my spine and my arms and sumtimes my hip and legs. It will drive you INSANE it is so bad. (the meds or patch help with controling it and pain stuff)....but my problem is that I am half cold half hot all the time in those areas now. I will feel warm on the outsides of my arms and spine but my sides and the undersides of my arms will feel colder and so will strips down my legs. Kind of like when ya get a tooth fixed and get novacaine and hot things feel cold and vice versa in a change way. I dunno how to dress anymore.....guess it is nerve damage crap. I put on summer clothes and walk around sweating and then gettin the quivers from bein cold and goosebumps at the same time !!!? I guess my temperture sesation indicator department is out of wack. Hot cold freaky flakey Pam
I'm NOT crazy honest I'm not......it's a true feeling or sensation I am dealing with now....new faze whatever. Had on shorts today but wore long underwear top cuz I kept gettin chills then I'd break out into a sweat cuz other areas were hot at the same time. Anyone know what I am sayig ??? It is really bazaar........ok I'll go back into INVISIBLE MODE and leave ya all alone.
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| « Last Edit: May 5th, 2006, 12:37am by cootie » |
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Re: Ever have a nerve conduction study?
« Reply #22 on: May 5th, 2006, 1:43am » |
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i have had it done a couple times once from hip to foot and once from neck to hip. both times the pads were used. i don't think you should be nervous about it, but when they turn up the juice your body parts start to jump around like the old frogs in high school biology class.
and yes pam you are crazy
i do the same kind of shit and i can't blame it on hormones so i know I'm nuts 
....tim the fruitcake
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