Nerve conduction study

[Anonymous]

If you did it how was it? Some people say is awful other say just mildly uncomfortable. Also, what additional informations you got from the testing if you already had a recent diagnosis of neuropathy?
TIA

[Anonymous]

They can treat neuropathy without that test. Most doctors do not recommend that tests as it adds no value. I a doctor trying to do that test and all my other doctors were like yeah no. Told me they wouldn't do it for the reasons stated above.

[Anonymous]

I'm a lawyer in a field where all cases involve medical issues, not a medical professional. I see a lot of these tests. The ones I've seen are to try to determine the cause for symptoms. For example, tingling in the hands and wrists can be a neck issue of carpal tunnel syndrome (or whatever else causes it). Treatment is very different depending on the reason for the problem. Before you undergo surgery, you need to know if you need neck surgery or wrist surgery and a NCS can tell you.

I also see them for neuropathy of the feet. Again, same thing - more than one cause for the condition and NCS are used for diagnostic purposes and treatment plan development.

The test isn't a first round test. Other things are done before recommending it.

As to how they are, it depends on your own tolerance. I had decades ago and it was awful because I don't tolerate the type of discomfort well despite having a high pain threshold. OTOH, my friend who had one recently says it wasn't so bad.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the answers. Initially dr thought the neuropathy was caused by spinal issues seen in x ray. Now he says is not sure anymore about the cause of the neuropathy because of the onset of other issues and the NCS has bern suggested

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you need it to determine the course of treatment. But if you're worried about whether it is medically necessary, insurance won't approve it if it isn't medically necessary and the provider is not going to administer the test until insurance approves. So, it won't happen if it is not medically indicated.

[Anonymous]

I had one for carpal tunnel to rule out neck issues (I also have a pinched nerve in my neck, but that’s not what is causing my hands to go numb). The test wasn’t as bad as I thought, I chatted with the doctor the whole time to distract myself

[Anonymous]

I had one for carpel tunnel. Wasn’t too bad. Advised I did not have it and should not get surgery. So, very helpful.

[Anonymous]

I also had one for carpal tunnel. The test was exceptionally painful.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the person who administers it, unfortunately. I’ve had many, at different hospital throughout my life, because of an inflammatory condition that causes neuropathy. Go to a place where they do them often and there’s a separate technician who does them. Do NOT have your regular neurologist conduct it. I had one at a local DC hospital wheee the regular neurologist conducted it and it was like a scene from one of those hospital shows where the perfectionist inexperienced Dr was trying to ge the test done exactly right (literally consulting a textbook as she went) without regard to the discomfort it was causing me. I had to ask her to stop multiple times. Other times with a technician, it was a much better experience e where they did the minimal possible tests to get the info they need. Eg not ever single part of the test needs to be administered! Be careful and ask qs beforehand. Never again will I go back to this neurologist at a local DC hospital for this test.

[Anonymous]

I had one with my neurologist who has a subspecialty in neuromuscular conditions. It was NBD. The techs did the first part of the text and she did the second. For me, it wasn't a big deal at all despite all my apprehension around it. I did not experience any pain.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the feedback, it seems the experience with the test is very operator dependent so I will try to go in a big center. It seems also that for done of you the test results were useful

[Anonymous]

I've done it twice and it was no big deal. It was sharp zaps but if you use something like a tens you its just a bit stronger than that.

[Anonymous]

DH had lower leg/foot pain for years. He spent 2020-2025 and thousands of dollars getting spine related treatments. After all, he had sciatica, had a disc operation and had scoliosis. MUST be back. He lived in terror and cure seeking and medication seeking because of his spine terror. Injections, nerve blocks, facet joint ablations...Also podiatists for orthotics.

Finally went to an ankle doc at WOSM. Said I don't think it's your back go see this guy for a nerve conduction study. Turns out it was a pinched nerve in his lower leg. Not back at all.

But it had been left untreated so long the damage was permanent. Dry needling and massge helps now. He gets that weekly. But no spine fusions!

[Anonymous]

Forgot to add he saw Dr. Kurtzke here
https://neurologycenteroffairfax.com/physicians-practitioners/

He never said anything about it being painful.

[Anonymous]

I had one. They found nothing. My hand still tingles. Feels like pins and needles. Something is wrong but no one seems to know what.