nerve conduction studies.

nerve conduction studies. (Full Version)

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sirsholly -> nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 11:18:39 AM)
i am scheduled for a nerve conduction study secondary to a reoccurence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I have read the cut and dry info about the test and about the "slight amt of discomfort." Yet it seems everyone i talk to describes AGONY. I have been told not to go alone...i will be unable to drive home, get an RX for some power hitting pain killers, and to just go ahead with a possibly unneeded surgery, as it is far easier than the conduction study. My question: has anyone had this done and if so, what can you tell me?

lusciouslips19 -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 11:30:39 AM)
I doubt that having surgery would be painless. I mean really. Think about it? Everyones response to stimulas is different. Everyone has told me root canal is very painful and I found the opposite to be true. Talk to the doctors about pain levels and what to expect.

sirsholly -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 11:36:42 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 I doubt that having surgery would be painless. I mean really. Think about it? Everyones response to stimulas is different. Everyone has told me root canal is very painful and I found the opposite to be true. Talk to the doctors about pain levels and what to expect. surgery was suggested by someone because they found the study so painful. The orthopod said "get yourself in the right frame of mind and it will not be too bad' [8\|] The neuro doing the test said some find it very painful but for others it is not too bad. Damnit...i wanna be one of the "others!!"

sirsholly -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 11:41:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 I doubt that having surgery would be painless. I mean really. Think about it? Everyones response to stimulas is different. Everyone has told me root canal is very painful and I found the opposite to be true. Talk to the doctors about pain levels and what to expect. surgery was suggested by someone because they found the study so painful. The orthopod said "get yourself in the right frame of mind and it will not be too bad' [8\|] The neuro doing the test said some find it very painful but for others it is not too bad. Damnit...i wanna be one of the "others!!" ETA...i had the carpal tunnel sx in both hands and with the exception of the first day it really didn't hurt. It was more annoying than anything else. I was nursing his highness so i refused to take narcs and did just fine with a dose or two of tylenol. But bypassing the study is going to mean finding a new surgeon willing to operate without the conduction study. For a reoccurence they all seem to want it done.

dreamerdreaming -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 12:10:05 PM)
I've had it done. It is definitely NOT agony. It feels like electricity going through your arm and hand, because that's what it is. The shocks are painful but not too bad, and they're very brief. As soon as you feel it, each one is over. They just want to measure how quickly a pain impulse goes through that area. If the nerve conducts it more slowly than normal, you have nerve damage there and they can gauge how much damage by how much more time it takes (in milliseconds or whatever) the pain impulse to travel from your arm down through your wrist and hand, than normal.Each shock takes just a second. Have the test done. It will give you and your doctor an accurate assessment of the nerve damage on each side, and it doesn't hurt that bad! Its really not that big of a deal. I would definitely not be worried or fearful of the pain at all, if I had to have it done again. It just feels like a series of small shocks. There is time in between each one, and the shocks are nowhere near as bad as say, sticking your finger in a light socket or making a mistake with your TENS unit.

sirsholly -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 12:30:08 PM)
Thank you DreamerDreaming!! You said what i need to hear!

lovingpet -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 12:30:30 PM)
I have had them in multiple areas of the body and I will say the ones on my arms and hands were less painful than those performed elsewhere. I did not find it to be terribly bad for the hand. It was icky and there was some discomfort, but I was not in agony nor was I unable to drive home. The worst test was on one of my legs and I still left the study in no real pain after the fact and able to function. During it, however, I was in tears and begging them to stop the test. I got through it though. I had some huge bruises, but nothing debilitating. Like others have said, have the test regardless as it will give the drs information that will help them treat you more effectively. They may find a different problem altogether and your surgery will be for nothing. Lots of things can be going on and this will give a clearer picture. There may have been mor than one problem in the first place, but the carpal tunnel was masking the other. Now the other problem has advanced and may be in need of attention. I wish you the best with this. I know it is a scary situation when it is unclear what to expect. I imagine if you could get a clear cut yes or no you could move forward and just handle what you know to expect. Unfortunately, the outcome is unknown and varies by person and even testing site on the body. It may seem easier to just skip this, but may cause more harm than good in the end. Please do the test and let us know the outcome. Take care and again good luck! lovingpet

sirsholly -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 12:33:23 PM)
thank you LovingPet. You are so right that it is needed. Sometimes fear overtakes common sense[:)] Obviously i have let this get the better of me.

lovingpet -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 12:36:43 PM)
People shouldn't be telling you horror stories in the first place. I never want my experience to cause someone else to not take the best care of themselves possible. That being said, I did tell you the truth about my personal experience with this test. Take a hand to hold if you want and a deep breath. It is a few minutes out of your life and hopefully time well spent. hugggs lovingpet

lusciouslips19 -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 12:44:06 PM)
Think of it this way: if you experience big pain, you probably dont need surgery as it means you have good conductivety, right?

dreamerdreaming -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 4:21:04 PM)
Anytime! Glad to be of service, especially to you. I love your insightful posts! The main thing I think that people with carpal tunnel should keep in mind is that the point of the surgery is to relieve symptoms and to prevent further nerve damage from developing. It will NOT repair the nerve damage that is already done! Therefore, time is of the essence. Those of you with symptoms should see your doctor right away. Don't wait until the symptoms worsen, or you may be left with lasting nerve damage. Sirsholly, please get the nerve conduction study ASAP and if surgery is needed, get it as soon as possible too. You or anyone else who has questions can message me privately as well. I am primarily here to communicate with my adored slaveboy, but questions are always welcome and I do love the boards.

kiwisub12 -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 4:45:04 PM)
I have had the nerve conduction studies to diagnose carpal tunnel - and it was uncomfortable in brief spurts. Sort of like being shocked with an electric fly swatter - and i don't like electrical play - and yes, if i needed it again i would do it. My Sir has hurt me worse during play -and while i agree that play is different, the level of pain was bearable. And as for driving home - piece of cake, and no - i didn't need pain pills. Someone is feeding you a line of shit - or they are major drama queens! [:D]

RumpusParable -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 5:01:15 PM)
"Put your hand in the box..." "What's in the box?" "Pain..."

DavanKael -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 6:06:37 PM)
If it's bad enough that you're considering the surgery, probably best to bite the bullet and get the nerve coduction tests done. I have nerve impingement in my neck and shoulder that radiates down my right arm all the way down to the fingers. It sucks. After the injury that caused it (About a decade ago), the doctors wanted to do a nerve conduction test and described it as rather uncomfortable. I asked what the point was. The answer was to prove impingement and justify surgery. My answer was: duh, my hand's numb, there's nerve impingement, and you're not cutting on me. I was in my early 20's. Cutting was not happening. But, again, if you're considering getting cut, probably best to get it done. And, remember: good drugs are our friends. :> Davan

thornhappy -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 6:14:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly i am scheduled for a nerve conduction study secondary to a reoccurence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I have read the cut and dry info about the test and about the "slight amt of discomfort." Yet it seems everyone i talk to describes AGONY. I have been told not to go alone...i will be unable to drive home, get an RX for some power hitting pain killers, and to just go ahead with a possibly unneeded surgery, as it is far easier than the conduction study. My question: has anyone had this done and if so, what can you tell me? Hi Holly-- I've had these several time to figure out if the hand stuff was coming from my neck or my wrists. They are uncomfortable, but the pain quickly dissipates. There is no need for pain killers, and you'll be able to drive yourself. thornhappy

chiaroscuro -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 6:38:56 PM)
I haven't had it done for my arms and hands, but I did have a nerve conduction study done of my legs and feet. It definitely wasn't a pleasant experience, but it definitely wasn't agony. Once it was over, I was a little sore, but didn't need painkillers and was able to drive myself. I hope your experience isn't too bad.

mistoferin -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/10/2008 8:44:17 PM)
I've had it done on both hands and honestly, I didn't feel anything at all. I seriously thought the machine must have been broken or something because there was no sensation whatsoever. I have been told that isn't the norm though. I did have the surgery done on both hands. Now that is the decision that I would put a great deal of thought into. I know that I have heard a lot of folks say they got great relief with it....but I've met just as many who weren't pleased with the results. I would fall into that category. If I had to do it again I probably would not have it done. The surgery did alleviate the numbness issue for awhile...but I lost a lot of strength. If I had to guess-timate I'd say it's well over half. I don't expect it will be coming back as they were done over 10 years ago now. The other problem is that if you go back to doing whatever it was that caused it in the first place...it comes back. I have met people who had better results with some alternative therapies also. Not trying to point you in one direction or the other, just giving you my own experience with it. As I said, you will likely find just as many people who have the opposite result. If you do decide to have the surgery I can tell you that I did not find it painful at all. The thing that surprised me the most in the days following was the extreme lack of strength. I could not lift even a cup of coffee.

sirsholly -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/11/2008 10:28:51 AM)
I want to thank all who posted. Yesterday when i wrote this thread i was fully prepared to cancel the appt today. Thanks to the encouragement here i had the test this morning. It was a bit uncomfortable but not nearly as bad as i first thought. Thanks to all of you again!!!

lovingpet -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/11/2008 10:36:29 AM)
Hugggggs Anytime :) lovingpet

califsue -> RE: nerve conduction studies. (11/11/2008 2:20:57 PM)
I had it done but found it to be extremely mild. My older sister also had the test and it didn't bother her at all. In fact, I went back to work afterwards. It seemed like the handout about and the things I read about it was worse than the actual test ended up being.

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