Nerve Conduction Study

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debkenny
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Location: Pennsylvania

Nerve Conduction Study

Post by debkenny »

My doctor has told me that he'd like me to have a Nerve Conduction Study, but I'm wondering what the merits are of having one. I'm having no other problems besides the RLS, and from what I've read, this study is not the most pleasant thing to go through.

Has anyone else had one done? Was it worth it? And finally, how bad is it to have done?

I guess I'm a bit of a wimp. I hate inflicting any additional pain on myself if it's not 100% neccessary.
Don't knock it till you've tried it. Different things work for different people. Raining on everyone's parade doesn't work for anyone!

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Not a clue as to why this would be important to have.

Did he say why? I guess he could be just very thorough, but it seems that most doctors do not do this when it is cut and dry RLS. Not that my doctors were the best or did the right thing, but having seen 5 specialists, not one did this. Maybe they should have, but I got the impression that it was so clear that it was RLS and there were no other symptoms, that it would be wasting time and money. Again, that doesn't mean they were right.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

debkenny
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:41 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Post by debkenny »

My understanding is that he just wants to make sure there is nothing else that could be causing the RLS symptoms. I just switched to this doctor a few months ago, because I wanted to try some alternative remedies, and the last doctor just wanted to keep giving me more meds. From what this new one has told me, I could have a pinched nerve somewhere that may be mimicking the signs of RLS. However, I have had it for over nine years now, so that really doesn't make sense to me. On top of that, I've been told by others that had the test that they would never have it again because it was so horrible. I don't want to go through something like that if it's just going to be an unneccessary fishing expedition.
Don't knock it till you've tried it. Different things work for different people. Raining on everyone's parade doesn't work for anyone!

Neco
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Post by Neco »

Perhaps you should bring this up with your doctor and let them know how you feel. Ultimately you are the patient and it is your right to refuse the test.

debkenny
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Location: Pennsylvania

Post by debkenny »

I have an appointment tomorrow to discuss it with him. So far I've just spoken to his nurse about it, so I'm hoping he'll have some more information for me. I'm still trying to figure out how much he knows about RLS.
Don't knock it till you've tried it. Different things work for different people. Raining on everyone's parade doesn't work for anyone!

sugbrendas
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Post by sugbrendas »

I had one because i kept complaining to my Neuro that my feet burned like someone had fire under them.

I had 3 in all because after the 1st one i had Gillium Barre' and had lost most of the use of my legs and arms but anyway..

I didn't think the regular NCS was bad at all. After the initial zing it felt like my RLS anyway.

BUT the deep muscle one was pure torture!! I will never agree to that one again.

I would ask if your getting a regular one or a deep muscle one.

brenda
Finally able to sleep on average 9 hours a night!
Brenda

Rachel
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Post by Rachel »

Deb,

Okay, I think I know something about this! I'm so excited. I might tend to babble though because the Darvocet and the Ambien are kicking in as I write.

I had a nerve conduction test done a few months ago. The reason it was done on me was because I was referred to a neurologist from my RLS doctor because of constant pain on my left side. The RLS doctor said it was not related to RLS. They used these tests to rule out nerve damage that would be causing the unexplained pain. Are they sending you for brain MRIs also?

So . . . off the to the neurologist, I went.

Actually, Deb, I LOVED the nerve conduction tests. Do you know why? I had it done on a Wednesday morning and I felt NO PAIN for three days. NO PAIN! I FELT LIKE A NORMAL PERSON FELT. Every morning I would wake up, expecting the pain to hit. No pain. Finally, on Saturday morning, I felt the pain back as soon as I opened my eyes. I laid there in bed and cried and cried.

Back to the tests--there are two.

The first one is when a technician came in and stuck electrical pads with wires underneath onto my nerve paths in my arm and leg. It slowly increases in intensity. It was SUPPOSED to hurt gradually. I say supposed to because to me it actually felt good. Yep, weird. The more she zapped me, the better it made me feel.

The second part was done by the neurologist and he stuck needles down into the nerve paths. The needles I didn't even feel.

I was able to drive home with virtually no soreness.

I too had heard that it was extremely painful. Deb, I would do it again in a second.

Let me know how it goes. I'll be thinking of you. If you have any questions, just ask.

Rachel

ctravel12
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nerve conduction study

Post by ctravel12 »

Hi Deb I have never had a nerve conduction study and you certainly are not a whimp. No one likes pain and I do not blame you for being cautious.

Let us know about your appt. tomorrow. Good luck to you and we will be here for you anytime you need us..

Take care and have a nice evening.
Charlene
Taking one day at a time

mowenlind
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Location: Texas

Post by mowenlind »

I recently had both tests done. My neurologist detected some weakness in my left leg, so to rule out anything else he ordered these tests. It showed I had mild nerve damage. I posted a topic titled "peri neuropathy" a few days ago concerning this. The one test (to me) felt sort of like when you hit your funny bone though milder. The other with the needles was more uncomfortable but bearable. I think my legs have some numbness from having painful and severe RLS all these many years. I know it's made my pain tolerance high! Good luck, what ever you decide.
Mowenlind

Aiken
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Post by Aiken »

I was tested recently for peripheral neuropathy. Didn't show anything interesting. I'm not sure how much good it would do for a real RLS sufferer, but there may be some conditions that mimic RLS with a neuropathic cause (versus dopamine issues). Perhaps your doctor has one in mind.

I think my test was pretty average. It's not fun, no, but like all briefly-unpleasant things, it ended and I was okay. It was bearable, and my doctor was in good humor, which helped.

The only bad moment was when he went a toonce to far with a needle and nicked a blood vessel. I yelped, he backed off, it stopped hurting, and I got a really impressive hematoma to show my wife. :)

You'll be fine. Even if you have a hard time, just remember that time stops for no one, so no matter what, your session will end. :)
Disclaimer: I often talk about what I do and what works for me, but these are specific to me and you should always consult a healthcare professional before trying these things yourself, lest you endanger your health or life.

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Rachel, I wonder if that stim stuff that Susan is trying would help you. . .

Also, my BIL got this device that is for neuropathy (he's diabetic). I wrote about it in the Non-pharma area about a year ago. He swears that it really helped his pain. It also does some kind of stimulation/conduction or some such. Who knows? This might be what works really well for you.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

Rachel
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Location: Massillon, Ohio

Post by Rachel »

Ann,

I'm wondering too if Susan's zapping would help me. None of the doctors have said "neuropathy" though. Just the fibromyalgia.

Deb, can you live with not knowing if you decide not to do the tests? I don't mean that question sarcastically either. At least it will rule out nerve damage.

I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best,

Rachel

SquirmingSusan
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Post by SquirmingSusan »

ViewsAskew wrote:Rachel, I wonder if that stim stuff that Susan is trying would help you. . .

Also, my BIL got this device that is for neuropathy (he's diabetic). I wrote about it in the Non-pharma area about a year ago. He swears that it really helped his pain. It also does some kind of stimulation/conduction or some such. Who knows? This might be what works really well for you.


Ann, I looked up that post about your BILs device - It sounds like it works on exactly the same principle as the Alpha Stim, but is only for the legs. It mimics the signals that the nerve cells use to communicate to each other, and "retrains" the nerves to work properly. The Alpha Stim can be used all over the body, and also has the ear clips so they can run a current on your head :shock:, and it also works on the center in the brain that blocks out pain.

It's weird science, but it does actually seem to be based on how the nervous system really works.

Susan

SquirmingSusan
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Post by SquirmingSusan »

Rachel wrote:
I'm wondering too if Susan's zapping would help me. None of the doctors have said "neuropathy" though. Just the fibromyalgia.

Rachel


Rachel, the Alpha Stim is for all kinds of pain, not just neuropathy. I don't know where you live, but it might be difficult to find a practitioner who knows how to use it. Psychiatrists use it a lot, but they only use the stimulation on the head. It's more complicated to apply it to the body. If you'd like me to ask my PT if he knows other practitioners who use the technique, I will.

It's probably worth a try since you had so much relief from the nerve conduction test.

Susan

Rachel
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Location: Massillon, Ohio

Post by Rachel »

SquirmingSusan wrote:
Rachel wrote:
I'm wondering too if Susan's zapping would help me. None of the doctors have said "neuropathy" though. Just the fibromyalgia.

Rachel


It's probably worth a try since you had so much relief from the nerve conduction test.

Susan


That's what I thought too! However . . .

I went to a wellness center/chiropractor about 6 weeks ago on my own, and I told her about the nerve conduction test. She did electrical stimulations on my back, left shoulder, and left leg for about two weeks.

NOTHING!

Isn't that weird?

She then offered up cold laser therapy which forces oxygen into the muscles. I actually think I have an offshoot of fibromyalgia called Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The cold laser therapy has been very helpful in reducing the pain even though it sounds like a scam.

I thought I would post this info for everyone instead of private e-mailing you. If it helps only one person, then it will be worth it. If anyone has awful pain out there, google cold laser therapy and see what you think.

Of course, maybe it was the needle part that helped. I have often thought of trying accupuncture.

But honestly, so far the Darvocet has made the most significant improvement in my pain. I think. I'm not sure anymore. I should start journaling everything, but I feel like then I have given over my entire life to this thing.

And so it goes . . .

Rachel

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