EMG/NCV - "WTF"?

Results from our visit to the Brain Clinic (Neurology)

Why is an EMG test done?

An EMG is often performed when patients have unexplained muscle weakness. The EMG helps to distinguish between muscle conditions in which the problem begins in the muscle and muscle weakness due to nerve disorders. The EMG can also be used to detect true weakness, as opposed to weakness from reduced use because of pain or lack of motivation. EMGs can also be used to isolate the level of nerve irritation or injury.

A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test is often done at the same time as an EMG. In this test, the nerve is electrically stimulated while a second electrode detects the electrical impulse 'down-stream' from the first. The NCV test can be used to detect true nerve disorders.

This is the next stage of our process through the Neurology clinic, now that we know hubby had had 2 very small mini strokes sometime in the past. The "very small" part was good to hear, the "sometime in the past" hmmmm? You would think with all of the technology (like the CT Scan) that they could pin point a little better than sometime in the past (6 months ago, a year ago, 2 yrs ago?). Well I guess that is better than recently- Right?

Does an EMG hurt?

Yes. There is some discomfort at the time the needle electrodes are inserted. They feel like shots (intramuscular injections), although nothing is injected during an EMG. Afterwards, the muscle may feel a little sore for up to a few days.
LOL- glad it's not me! Sorry  dear :)

These are the next steps that have resulted from our hospital visit yesterday.We are making progress!!

Watched them do some pretty normal looking testing like close your eyes and walk putting one foot in front of the other (like the cops would ask a suspected drunk person) with some pretty funny results! Or close your eyes and touch your nose, sounds pretty easy, but when you have sensory nerve damage (partly from the mini strokes, diabetes and depression) it isn't as easy as it sounds. Too bad I didn't have the foresight to record it!