How important is an EMG?

PNMLT, EMG, SSEP, and other Nerve function testing.
The different techniques, results and opinions.
shana
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 6:24 am

Re: How important is an EMG?

Post by shana »

I'm very sensitive to meds, I can't handle any pain meds for example. I've tried Valium in the past, did not react that great to it but maybe I'll try a tiny tiny dose now and this way I'll know how I'll react and then I can decide whether or not to take it before I have my EMG.

Thanks for the idea!
Shana
'08 diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis
'09 vestibulectomy-Dr. Goldstein-failed
'11 right labral repair and release-Dr. Coleman
2/10-8/12 severe depression, minimal dr appointmen
4 different physical therapists '08-'12 no improvement whatsoever
'13 pudendal nerve blocks-Dr. Chapman
More PT
Dr. Conway officially diagnosed PN/PNE 7/13
9/13 Bilateral hip repair Dr. Coleman
10/13-5/14 Major Depression, no dr appointments
More PT
6/14 Dr. Hibner confirmed diagnosis
Looking for help..hoping for answers
User avatar
Karyn
Posts: 1655
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:59 pm
Location: Lowell, MA

Re: How important is an EMG?

Post by Karyn »

Hi Shana,
I understand what you mean about the med intolerance. I can't take them either. It's been very difficult getting this across to the medical community. I'm not in any way "against" pain meds. They simply don't provide pain relief for me and make me feel worse than I already do because of the side effects. Interestingly enough, though, valium is one of the very few things I can tolerate and is helpful.
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
shana
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 6:24 am

Re: How important is an EMG?

Post by shana »

The last time I tried Valium was back in 2009 so I guess it's worth giving it another try and see how and if I can handle it
'08 diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis
'09 vestibulectomy-Dr. Goldstein-failed
'11 right labral repair and release-Dr. Coleman
2/10-8/12 severe depression, minimal dr appointmen
4 different physical therapists '08-'12 no improvement whatsoever
'13 pudendal nerve blocks-Dr. Chapman
More PT
Dr. Conway officially diagnosed PN/PNE 7/13
9/13 Bilateral hip repair Dr. Coleman
10/13-5/14 Major Depression, no dr appointments
More PT
6/14 Dr. Hibner confirmed diagnosis
Looking for help..hoping for answers
User avatar
Karyn
Posts: 1655
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:59 pm
Location: Lowell, MA

Re: How important is an EMG?

Post by Karyn »

Just a suggestion, Shana ...
Try getting a script for 5 mg. and take it before you go to bed at night. It may even come in 2 mgs, but I'm really not sure. I normally don't take it during the day because it makes me too tired, but if I had a ride for imaging or an EMG, I would.
Best,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
User avatar
Violet M
Posts: 6651
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:04 am
Location: United States
Contact:

Re: How important is an EMG?

Post by Violet M »

Shana, the way I looked at it is that the EMG is not much worse than the pain I experienced a lot of the time anyway. Maybe it will help you to psych yourself up if you think of it that way. I guess by the time I had the EMG I was in too bad of shape to be humiliated. In France you just get undressed in front of the physician -- they don't have the dignified procedure here in the US where you undress and gown up before you see the doc. You just take your clothes off and have the procedure. :shock: It was over with so quickly it's nothing to get too worked up about. ( And mine took longer than usual because the numbers were so bad.) Good luck. ;)

Violet
PNE since 2002. Started from weightlifting. PNE surgery from Dr. Bautrant, Oct 2004. Pain now is usually a 0 and I can sit for hours on certain chairs. No longer take medication for PNE. Can work full time and do "The Firm" exercise program. 99% cured from PGAD. PNE surgery was right for me but it might not be for you. Do your research.
shana
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 6:24 am

Re: How important is an EMG?

Post by shana »

Violet,
I guess I'm not really surprised that in France they don't leave the room while you undress, honestly I used to think what's the point of leaving or even covering up when you're just going to de-gown in a minute when the dr walks back in but I guess there is some level of dignity there and I should appreciate it.

I'm not really concerned about being humiliated, I'm way, way past that. It's sad when I think about it but at this point I don't feel like any parts of my body are private anymore they've been seen by more (medical) people then I want to admit, but I guess that's part of life for people in the condition I'm in.

As I had said earlier, I tend to psyche myself up and work myself into a frenzy for no good reason, I'm going to try taking valium or ativan and I'm going to work with my therapist on how to stay relaxed and not work myself up before the procedure.

Shana
'08 diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis
'09 vestibulectomy-Dr. Goldstein-failed
'11 right labral repair and release-Dr. Coleman
2/10-8/12 severe depression, minimal dr appointmen
4 different physical therapists '08-'12 no improvement whatsoever
'13 pudendal nerve blocks-Dr. Chapman
More PT
Dr. Conway officially diagnosed PN/PNE 7/13
9/13 Bilateral hip repair Dr. Coleman
10/13-5/14 Major Depression, no dr appointments
More PT
6/14 Dr. Hibner confirmed diagnosis
Looking for help..hoping for answers
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