Do electrical nerve conduction studies hurt?

I have had them before, and no it does not hurt

If you don’t have nerve damage, they do hurt. It is basically like an electric shock; not unbearable but it does hurt. I had them to test for carpal tunnel syndrome damage.

@janbb and @DrBill Did both of you have the test performed with the needles, or was it the nodes they stick to you? If it was with the needles they put into your muscle, do they give you anything for pain?

Oh gee – I don’t remember, it was a while ago. I think it must have been nodes because I think I would remember the needles.

@janbb Okay, thank you.

When I had one done it didn’t hurt. When my grandma had one done it hurt a lot. I have no idea of we had the same thing done? She had neuropathy, my tests came back normal, but I have muscle trouble.

From many years ago, I remember the same thing as @janbb: I felt it, all right, but it was just a light, quick zap, bzzzt, not bad. Not pleasant, but definitely bearable. There were no needles.

I’m going to have to call now, because I’m not sure if the test is going to be done with or without the needles. :(

My test had needles. I had one test with needles, I think that was a muscle test? And, one without, I think that was the nerve test. Although, I might have confused them. They were both done on the same day, my whole body.

@JLeslie Oh, okay. So are the needles small? I’m thinking the worst and having trouble imagining that needles stuck into muscle wouldn’t hurt.

Needles are very small. The needle pricks did not hurt, if that is your main concern. The electrical impulse did not hurt me either, but it seems that depends on the person.

Don’t be afraid. Remember you can stop at any time, you have the control.

@JLeslie I’m trying not to be scared, but it’s difficult. But thank you, I hope my experience is similar to yours.

I was a little nervous also, because my grandmother had a bad experience, so I understand. The electrical impulses are very quick, and if it is painful you will have suffered for a moment, and again you can say you don’t want to go forward. One question to keep in mind is how will their treatment recommendations be different for you depending on the results? If they are going to give you the same meds no matter what, then if it is painful there is every reason to not continue. It is not like getting a painful procedure done where you are at the mercy of the doctor and must continue like a surgical procedure, you have much more control, because they put the needle in, send the impulse, then stick you in the next place, and the impulse again. It’s not like a bunch a needles inserted all at once, and then you go through the process. At least that is how it was for me.

I promise the needle prick does not hurt.

Let us know how it goes.

I had some done with needles and one with little like patches. Some spots hurt quite bad others i felt no pain. Even the ones that hurt bad it only hurt for a couple seconds and then its done. Youll be fine. Good luck with the test and I hope everything comes out ok.

I just got my wrist and my feet done. The needles arent bad. They are not sharp.
No intense pain
The feet are a bit more sensitive.