Electromyography Test (EMG test)

[medboy]

I'm curious if anyone has experience with the EMG, Electromyography test? My colon and rectal doctor wants me to get one done. I have the typical symptoms of Levator Ani with the golfball in the butt and sometimes tailbone area. Had an MRI with no findings. The doctor is suspecting possible nerve damage. I guess I'm a bit anxious about whether to go this route or not. I don't want to take a chance on making things worse. And if the test shows I have nerve damage, then what? Nerve blocks? I suppose I better talk to the doctor some more, but I wonder if anyone here has had this test and what did it benefit you? Thanks for any input.

[webslave]

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1189&p=5707&hilit=e ... aphy#p5707
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3268&p=16621&hilit= ... phy#p16621

[medboy]

Thanks for the link. The test described there doesn't sound too bad. The one I'm supposed to have involves the use of needle sticks in the muscles and nerves and electrical current passed through. I guess it's kind of like acupuncture needles, but it didn't sound too fun. I still wonder what it will really tell the doctor beyond what we already know.

[Ausie]

I'm getting a EMG test done in mid January so I'll tell you if it shows something ??????????

[medboy]

I'm scheduled for January 15! Are you before that?

[Ausie]

Heh medboy i'm in on the 13th of january good luck

[medboy]

I got mine moved up to January 2. I'm first! I'll let you know.

[JoVoChicago]

I've undergone an EMG for Diabetic Neuropathy of the legs and feet.
Let's just say that it isn't quite as bad as a day where my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome is at a 10.
That being said - if they find evidence of nerve damage - you're correct - they'll likely prescribe something for your nerves like Neurontin along with an Antidepressant like Cymbalta along with an anti-seizure med like Klonopin.
There are some new drugs out there that supposedly can rebuild nerve systems - but they take a long time and can disagree with some people.
Personally - I've found that the less I let Doctors poke and prod me - the better I get.
You might be able to convince your Dr. to give you a trial run on the Neurontin and or Cymbalta - see if it helps and save yourself some unpleasantness in regards to the EMG.
In any event - I've had a full EMG - and I had heard horrible things about it - but it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined.
Hope I helped.
Good Luck.
Joseph

[medboy]

Thanks for the info.! Actually I am on Neurontin already, but just on 300mg per day at this point. I'm supposedly titrating up. I think I need a lot more!

[Ausie]

Hi there I also take neurontin 800mg 3 times a day. Didn't like the Cymbalta [different people different effects]. So did the EMG show anything ?

[medboy]

Are you able to function ok on that much Neurontin, like go to work and drive a car and stuff like that? I know I'll need more of it, but I wonder how much.

By the way the EMG is not until January 2.

[Ausie]

Hey there medboy. Yes, I function OK on this amount of Neurontin. I have heard that a few people are on that dosage, the problem is the other drugs, it depends on the amount of pain your in, and it is something that you should discuss with your doctor to be safe. So how do you deal with sitting ? I work as a full time carer, I am still trying to come to terms with what I can do and can't [afraid to aggravate my symptoms ], I am trying to establish quality of life , I think we have only one EMG in the whole state

[tiger]

if you are going to do EMG testing, I would also suggest a pudendal nerve latency test. It is harder to find someone to do it.

[strobers]

Can somebody please tell me what type of doctor does this test? Is it a specialist?

Thank you.

S

[Jay]

Hi,

Typically, neurologists perform EMG testing. The idea is to put an electrical shock through the nerve and see whether it is delayed or otherwise disrupted enroute to its destination. Some physicians place a good bit of faith in this test, while others are more skeptical.

Very few doctors perform PNMLT, and if you are not having motor dysfunction, it won't show anything. The test focuses on the motor fibers in the nerve, which comprise about 20% of the pudendal. The remainder is sensory.