Gambling on Life: My first nerve conduction study (and EMG)

This post, like others that will follow it, is a continuation of my Gambling On Life series.

So, to catch you up: I documented in a previous post that I was having some nerve issues, and have been on a journey for months now trying to figure out just what the fuck is going on.

My reumatologist exhausted his typical diagnostics, so I was referred to neurology. After the initial evaluation, he decided I needed a nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG). I knew this was a possibility; I had looked up what sort of stuff the neurologist would want to do, just so I could better advocate for myself financially (I am not getting another MRI unless it's likely I'll die without the information it provides).

So, we scheduled that ASAP, and a month later I was in an uncomfortable, open-assed gown.. Nervous as fuck.

Here's some details about these tests, and my feelings about them.

The Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): Getting electrocuted intentionally.

This is the test I was most indifferent about; I figured it wasn't going to be a big deal, unlike the electromyography (EMG), since it didn't involve needles.

Boy, was I wrong! I actually hated this test more.

You see, they place some sensors on various parts of your body to measure.. things.. As they shock you with what looks like a barb-less, clinical fucking tazer.

I figured it'd just be a little mild electricity, no big deal. Well, for the most part, that's true.. Except on certain areas, where I got repeated jolts of increasing intensity that fucking hurt, relatively speaking.

This was also the longest part of my visit.

Anyway, I had no lasting discomfort from this test, at least.. And afterwards, we come to the EMG.

The Electromyography (EMG): Are you into needle play?

Here's the part of the testing I was most nervous about. Again, as I have documented previously, I have some.. trauma when it comes to needles. At first, i figured it'd be no big deal; these weren't injections, or blood draws, so I should be fine, right?

Well, as much as I tried to reassure myself, I was practically vibrating with anxiety when this part of the test came up.

As it turns out, this was actually the easiest test to go through for me (no, I don't now have a trauma-related fetish for needles).

Again, like the NCS, sensors were placed on my body. Rather than tazing me, however, they stuck needles in me to measure stuff going on while I'm both idle and utilizing the muscles they are inserted into.

Here's the thing: The needle used? It's much smaller than a syringe-style needle. That means I barely felt it, and it was more of a nuisance than anything else.

I had some lasting discomfort in some areas afterwards, but I'm attributing this to my elevated nerve pain in general at the time.

The bonus part is this: This part of the test was fast.. And then I got my results right there, since it was my neurologist who performed the test.

As it turns out, I'm validated in that I have.. checks patient portal for after-visit documentation.. demyelinating peripheral polyneuropathy.

You down with the DPP? Yeah you know me.. Err, sorry. Couldn't help myself.

Now we get to go through the fun process of figuring out why I have it. Apparently what I've got is rare enough that there are only 2 options.. Viral, or genetic, and I'm pretty sure it's not viral in my case (as most of the viruses that can cause it I've tested negative for multiple times since it came up).

What really sucks is we've got to convince insurance to pay for the genetic testing, which.. Yeah, that's gonna work out great. Odds are I'll be paying for a decent chunk out-of-pocket here, but you never know: Sometimes insurance can surprise you (like they have with my regular labs, covering over 75% of the costs).

Oh well. Here's hoping the journey to understanding my issues continues to be a long one with positive results on treatment, rather than a short one with a headstone.