PsychLea
09-13-2003, 02:01 AM
Well,
I had the EMG and NCV today. Why don't they just stick your finger in a light socket :eek:
The test was normal, but the neurologist, a lady who was really nice, said that it just meant that the nerve had been freed and was no longer pinched. It didn't mean that I wasn't still having nerve pain. She said it was like someone hitting your bicep. You have a bruise, and it hurts, but you can still flex your arm and use it. So I guess in essence she was saying my nerves are still very irritable and painful, but no longer compressed.
This is a good explanation for those of us who have had normal EMG's despite continued pain.
She said that although I have the herniation and spur above the opsite, it was not causing any nerve compression and therefore, there was no need for surgical intervention. That sounded like some good news to me.
The next step is to do the pain management, which is already scheduled for next week. I hope to have better luck with this PM than the last one I saw.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
I had the EMG and NCV today. Why don't they just stick your finger in a light socket :eek:
The test was normal, but the neurologist, a lady who was really nice, said that it just meant that the nerve had been freed and was no longer pinched. It didn't mean that I wasn't still having nerve pain. She said it was like someone hitting your bicep. You have a bruise, and it hurts, but you can still flex your arm and use it. So I guess in essence she was saying my nerves are still very irritable and painful, but no longer compressed.
This is a good explanation for those of us who have had normal EMG's despite continued pain.
She said that although I have the herniation and spur above the opsite, it was not causing any nerve compression and therefore, there was no need for surgical intervention. That sounded like some good news to me.
The next step is to do the pain management, which is already scheduled for next week. I hope to have better luck with this PM than the last one I saw.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
Sponsor
emb
09-13-2003, 11:39 AM
Lea,
That is a great explanation. I have been wondering why I still have pain and sensory changed after the procedure. Now it makes a little more sense. Sorry you had to go through the torture chamber. Ouch.
Em
------------------
Em
DDD, 8/15/03ACF c5-6 w/plating
That is a great explanation. I have been wondering why I still have pain and sensory changed after the procedure. Now it makes a little more sense. Sorry you had to go through the torture chamber. Ouch.
Em
------------------
Em
DDD, 8/15/03ACF c5-6 w/plating
firefighter_101
09-13-2003, 12:28 PM
Lea,
I have a question for you. Do you like your NS? I'm going to someone else and my lawyer said he thought two good NS's were Dr. Anthony Russell or Dr.Stephen Cathey. I've only heard of yours because of your post.Please let me know your thoughts.
I'm glad your getting answers from your pain. I liked her explanation, everyone can understand.
Thanks,
Harvey
I have a question for you. Do you like your NS? I'm going to someone else and my lawyer said he thought two good NS's were Dr. Anthony Russell or Dr.Stephen Cathey. I've only heard of yours because of your post.Please let me know your thoughts.
I'm glad your getting answers from your pain. I liked her explanation, everyone can understand.
Thanks,
Harvey
mel333
09-13-2003, 01:26 PM
Hi Lea,
Thanks for that explanation as I am seeing a neurologist to have an EMG in a week or so. At least I'll know what to expect! ooouuch!. Hopefully PT will help and you don't need more surgery. Have you thought of epi's or shots? Take care,
Mel
Thanks for that explanation as I am seeing a neurologist to have an EMG in a week or so. At least I'll know what to expect! ooouuch!. Hopefully PT will help and you don't need more surgery. Have you thought of epi's or shots? Take care,
Mel
PsychLea
09-13-2003, 10:51 PM
Harvey,
Dr Anthony Russell is my NS. Dr Cathey is his partner. I don't have any real problem with him, except the last visit which took place out in the hall. Their office staff is a little dingy and irritating, but overall I have been satisfied.
If the PM doesn't help, then I am going to see Dr. Redding in Little Rock. He is really nice and I have talked with him several times in social situations.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
Dr Anthony Russell is my NS. Dr Cathey is his partner. I don't have any real problem with him, except the last visit which took place out in the hall. Their office staff is a little dingy and irritating, but overall I have been satisfied.
If the PM doesn't help, then I am going to see Dr. Redding in Little Rock. He is really nice and I have talked with him several times in social situations.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
PsychLea
09-13-2003, 10:55 PM
Mel,
Good luck with your EMG. It's not the most pleasant procedure, but it certainly isn't the worst. I didn't respond to the epi's, but the trigger point injections have helped in the past, so that is what I am having done next week.
Em,
It is frustrating when the pain continues. Maybe it just takes awhile for the nerve to heal. Anyway, it still is aggravating that I am still on pain meds this far out.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
Good luck with your EMG. It's not the most pleasant procedure, but it certainly isn't the worst. I didn't respond to the epi's, but the trigger point injections have helped in the past, so that is what I am having done next week.
Em,
It is frustrating when the pain continues. Maybe it just takes awhile for the nerve to heal. Anyway, it still is aggravating that I am still on pain meds this far out.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
firefighter_101
09-14-2003, 12:15 AM
Lea,
Thanks, I'll tell my man to set me up with either one of them. I'm scared to ask about the visit in the hall!! That doesn't sound good at all.I'm going for another MRI Monday. Dr.Mason released me, in pain and on my last visit his report to my GP said I was having problems and he still released me..... go figure. I sure wouldn't use him again!!
Have a good weekend and thanks again,
Harvey
Thanks, I'll tell my man to set me up with either one of them. I'm scared to ask about the visit in the hall!! That doesn't sound good at all.I'm going for another MRI Monday. Dr.Mason released me, in pain and on my last visit his report to my GP said I was having problems and he still released me..... go figure. I sure wouldn't use him again!!
Have a good weekend and thanks again,
Harvey
firefighter_101
09-14-2003, 12:18 AM
Lea,
Did you see the post below where Lori was asking you a question? I wasn't sure if you missed it or not.
Harvey
Did you see the post below where Lori was asking you a question? I wasn't sure if you missed it or not.
Harvey
sroman127
09-14-2003, 11:48 AM
I am going for an EMG this Thursday. Can you tell me if it is really that bad? My brother said it is an awful test, my mom said it isn't that bad, she just wished it took less time. The nurse in the doctors office said that she has never had a woman complain about the test, but the men whine and carry on about it. So, I am curious to know what I am in for, don't like suprises! Thanx
PsychLea
09-15-2003, 12:52 AM
Let me see if I can explain the EMG. :)
Basically what they are trying to do, is see if there is any interruption in the nerve signals and if the nerves are transmitting properly to the muslces. They do this by using electrodes,electric shocks, and needles to "listen" to the nerves. The electrodes are hooked up to an oscillator which shows the electrical responses, much like an EEG measures brain waves.
It was uncomfortable, but no unbearable. They did my upper extremeties only. They put my hands in warm water for several minutes. I'm not sure why, but it may help the electodes conduct better and/or increase circulation to the hands. The neuro palpated the muscles to find the location of the nerves, marked it with a pen, then used a device that delivered a short electric shock. This felt like sticking you hand in a light socket. She did this about 15 times on each arm, then would take a tape measure and measure the length of the nerve and the oscillator would tell her how fast the nerve impulse was conducted.
This was the most uncomfortable part of the test, but it wasn't something that was terribly painful.
The needles were next, and they really weren't that bad. They used the same lancets that diabetics use and stick them in various muscles and then wiggle it around,"listening" to the oscillator and seeing how the muscles react to the stimulus of the needle. They stuck me about 20 times, but since the nerves are less senstive on the arms, it wasn't that bad at all.
It's not something I would want to do on any regular basis, but it wasn't that painful, and it only took about 30 minutes.
Hope that helps and wasn't to befuddled for you :)
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis
Basically what they are trying to do, is see if there is any interruption in the nerve signals and if the nerves are transmitting properly to the muslces. They do this by using electrodes,electric shocks, and needles to "listen" to the nerves. The electrodes are hooked up to an oscillator which shows the electrical responses, much like an EEG measures brain waves.
It was uncomfortable, but no unbearable. They did my upper extremeties only. They put my hands in warm water for several minutes. I'm not sure why, but it may help the electodes conduct better and/or increase circulation to the hands. The neuro palpated the muscles to find the location of the nerves, marked it with a pen, then used a device that delivered a short electric shock. This felt like sticking you hand in a light socket. She did this about 15 times on each arm, then would take a tape measure and measure the length of the nerve and the oscillator would tell her how fast the nerve impulse was conducted.
This was the most uncomfortable part of the test, but it wasn't something that was terribly painful.
The needles were next, and they really weren't that bad. They used the same lancets that diabetics use and stick them in various muscles and then wiggle it around,"listening" to the oscillator and seeing how the muscles react to the stimulus of the needle. They stuck me about 20 times, but since the nerves are less senstive on the arms, it wasn't that bad at all.
It's not something I would want to do on any regular basis, but it wasn't that painful, and it only took about 30 minutes.
Hope that helps and wasn't to befuddled for you :)
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis