#nerve study

[fbdirectory]

What is a nerve study?

I have had tingling and numbness in my hands. So the doctors ordered a nerve study. A nerve study tests each of your nerves to see which one

[insanisflava]

I have to get a nerve study in the morning. That means they are going to stick needles in my arm and shoot fucking electrical currents down my arm. I might die. *hysterical laughter

[jaimeeandjoe-blog]

'nerve study' is just another term for

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.

[onthematt]

Nerve Conduction Study (EMG) = NOT FUN!

So... today I went for an EMG or a Electromyogram Nerve Conductive Study. I guess the purpose of this study was to find out if my nerves are communicating properly with my brain and spinal cord. What I didn't know was that they were going to stick me with needles (NOT LIKE ACUPUNCTURE) and "listen" to my nerves to see if there was anything actively irritating the nerve.

The first lady came in and put electrodes all over my legs, After getting in a gown, of course [facepalm]. Then she said "I am going to stimulate your nerves. Some of what you feel may be unpleasant." She then took what looked like a small, handheld version of a cattle prod and began shocking me. My muscles were jumping all over... involuntarily. She prodded me on my ankles and behind my knees. When she was all done... In came the DR. Apparently the last lady was a RN or something. The Doctor then proceeded to remove a needle from it's sterile packet as she asked me if I had ever had this kind of test before. She hooked it up to the same machine and commenced jabbing it into my thigh. She finally stopped moving it when she got the right sound to come out of the machine. It sounded like static to me. After the thigh... she moved on to the calf... then the shin... and on to the same spots on the other leg. The pain and tingling lasted long after the test and I still am feeling some tingly sensations now.

Truth be told, I was really being a baby about the whole thing and still am. I'm just tired of being poked and tested. I just don't want it anymore. I want to be better... NORMAL!!!

The good part is that the test came back as being "normal". My nerves are working just fine and nothing seems to be irritating them or pinching them right now. The Doctor said that they are probably just still healing from the damage caused by the herniation.

So what now???? That's the big question. It (My Back) definitely hurts when I roll... particularly when I try to hip escape. My left foot is still half numb and the other half hyper sensitive. I still can't walk on my toe or heel of my left foot because my shin and calf are too weak to hold me up. When I am running or skipping or sidestepping as a warm up before rolling or drilling, I can feel my left foot slapping the mat or my toes dragging a bit. I feel like I might roll my ankle at any moment sometimes. Yet when I leave the academy after class... My back feels great! ... better than it does during the day. I guess because I'm warm still, because it's stiff as hell when I wake up the next morning.

Today... I am feeling impatient once again. I feel as though I am on the brink of coming back strong but maybe it IS a bit too early. Should I wait a bit longer? Is rolling or drilling good therapy? I just don't know right now.

What say you?

Thanks for reading... I see you all next post.