a bizarre electrical endurance test. first comes the nerve conduction study, wherein they attach electrodes to your arm and then zap you with a zapping machine. every time they zap you, your fingers twitch. sometimes it tickles and feels pleasantly weird. less often, it feels like someone else has taken over the part of your body that moves your fingers, and the sensation of shock is really your own resistance to this entity trying to clench your fingers for you. eventually your whole consciousness is directed to the tips of your fingers, waiting for your next jolt, and hoping for the curious tickling feeling and not the other thing.
the poking was no big deal. i didn't watch, so in my mind's eye, the pokes were caused by little sewing pins being stuck to my arms in various parts. the worst part was feeling the electrical sensation through my arm. it was a cold, bright sensation vaguely akin to biting down on tinfoil with metal fillings (but much less intense).
the coolest part about this test is how the audio feedback sounds. sort of a popping, record-scratching, yeah-yeah-yeahs kind of sound.
fortunately for me, the test was negative for nerve damage! i will see my regular doctor on monday for a follow-up. at this point, though, it seems like the real issue is still tendinitis. so more conservative options are, thankfully, still on the table.
