Can an EMG cause nerve Damage

[lsroesch]

On 6/13/2008, I had a second EMG study. I was fine through the nerve study, but when the doctor put the needle into my leg for the muscle part, I screamed and felt like something was shooting through my leg, pulsating. I could not believe the pain I was in. The doctor was going to stop the test.  I needed him to continue since I have had a pain shooting through the front of my right leg for the past 3 years and nothing I have done has helped. I had a bi-later framinotomy last October, and still had the pain, then I went through 7 1/2 weeks of Spinal decompression and still had the pain. The first EMG study showed nothing, I was in pain afterwards. I was told that the nerve was irritated and it would be fine. Which it was later. This EMG study was different I called the physician after a couple of days to  tell her that I was in extreme pain from the EMG, and they put me on Neurontin 600 mg a day. It did not touch the pain. I called back two days ago to tell them that I had a numbness started in my foot area going up my leg. I also have a spot on the side of my leg that if you touch it, it radiates down my foot. The pain is unbelieveable. I have actually cried to get up out of bed in the morning. There answer was: " take 1200 mg neruontin this week and 1800 mg next week".  First of all, I could hardly function on 600 at one time, so I separated it into 300 2x a day. They want me to take 600 mg 3x a day. The worse part of the whole thing is, it doesn't touch the pain, just my head.  Now, My question is, "Is it possible that the EMG person hit a nerve in my leg?", and if so, what can be done to help it? I can't stand it anymore, It has been 2 weeks, and it is actually getting worse day by day, and no one will listen to me.  

[KobiT]

Worst thing I did was agree to that test. I could barely walk hours after the test was done to both my legs. Pain spasms caps back pain amplified. It took me months to heal yet my leg nerves jump sometimes uncontrollably.

[MammoDiva1]

It has been a 1.5months post EMG and the WORST left leg pain ever. I DID NOT have this pain prior and I put my trust in this doctor and this was my outcome. I haven’t had any sleep since and all they want to do is give more and more meds!!!  Has anyone  started a class action lawsuit yet?

[Poston192]

I had an EMG over 6 months ago. I  have had  severe pain in my left upper arm that is severe to touch ever since. I see lots of complaints about this but no medical sites willing to list this as a permanent risk , side effect or physician error.

[Real_Worth]

I had simiolar expperience.   It shold I've never been done on my bad leg. It through my whole body into convulsions and tour the ligament fascia in my lower leg and pulled my ankle out of joint. Then the doctor grabbed my foot as if to work out a cramp which finished the job I am still suffering from a year later. I had to sue the doctor Who apparently knew nothing about my history or how to use that damn machine I'll keep you posted

[Kbear22]

I had an EMG test done 7 months ago. It caused me severe muscle weakness and pain which I still have. The muscle weakness is still there and I can't lift anything heavier than 5 lbs or it'll cause me pain. I have pain in the back of my feet when I walk for more than an hour. After the test my body was in such shock I had diahrrhea all day and it actually paralyzed me. Told my doctor he doesn't believe it was caused by the test. I still shake and my bones crack loudly and I am in cosntant pain. Improvement is almost barely DO NOT AGREE TO THE TEST DONT TAKE A CHANCE.

[bBarry]

It's too bad everybody comes here and complains but nobody ever comes back to let the group know when and if the pain ever resolved.

[Campa0303]

Did u ever find out what this was?! I have the exact same thing happening. It's like you took the words outta my mouth. So wierd only hurts when lightly brushed, but it is unbelievable pain. Did it go away for you?

[iv0618]

In my case, I went to the doctor complaining about spasms and did not have pain until after the EMG. In my case, I believe the doctor did something to me to hide what was really going on, because I was given the wrong medication that caused the spasms. They later told me, the spasms wasn't caused the the medication error, you have neuropathy. I never hade neuropathy pain until after the EMG. I believe doctors will do anything to cover for each other and that includes covering for pharmacy errors. One day they all will have to stand before God and anwer for the wrong they have done against people.

[Nicole7897]

My girl friend also has increased back and buttock pain much worse after having the EMG with Lags Spine in CA. I told her that this can happen and if it doesn't get better you may have a law suit on your hands. Med, meds, and more meds is all they are offering for pain relief and it hardly even touches the pain at all. I took her to ER yesterday and she is worse today and out of her mind's wits because she can't do much of anything. She used to walk almost daily and now she is like a cripple.

[Sunflower1949]

What is the latest with your girlfriend's condition?  I am experiencing extreme leg weakness and groin pain following an EMG of the lower extremeties.  I know that I will be needing a fusion at L3, but I did not have these debilitating symptoms prior to this test.  I am now using a walker and a cane and I cannot get any answers either!

[bBarry]

Same here. Got EMG 2 months ago. Doc said excited nerves but they didn't ache then like they do now. I am sitting here after 3 1/2 hrs of sleep with a heavy duty vibrator on my legs. Never again!

[AlanRichard]

On a Friday afternoon, my EMG, about 2 years ago was performed by neurologist's technician on both arms and legs  When current was applied, each extremity really reacted (jerked) with a tremendous force.  Dr. gave me the results, "slow reflexes, nothing to worry about."  About 3 hours later my arms and legs were all becoming tremendously painful, like razor blades or needles scratching. I took Tylenol that night, hoping the pain was only going to be temporary.  Pain did not cease, although the Tylenol helped slightly.  I saw my family doctor Monday morning, who prescribed RX for Gabapentin, and agreed with  me that the peripheral neuropathy was caused by the EMG test.  I saw another neurologist who said the EMG  test was incorrectly performed. Personally, Gabapentin has been a lifesaver, no side effects, and inexpensive!  I'm not considering a lawsuit - too much time would be wasted, too much frustration, too much negative feelings, and too much cost.  I'm gratefully enjoying the positive results of the Rx.

[jman59]

I had an EMG done 4 years ago, it still feels like there is something zapping me on different parts of my legs and feet.  I have diabetic neuropathy in my feet and legs.  The test on both legs became extremely painful but  she kept zapping me and i tried to take the pain, the test was finally stopped...
Beside my diabetes meds, I was put on neurotin and eventually put on Lyrica. The drug helps to some extent but I'll get that zapping feeling when i'm at rest on the recliner at home. After four years of this I still can't get used to it!

[DJWils]

I had an EMG down the right side of my body on Nov 19, 2014.  They found nothing, and the docotr implied that it was in my head.  I had gone from arare numbness for 10 to 15 minutes on the right sie from the mouth down to toatl numbness on November 14.  By November 16, I could no longer walk without a cane and fell two times just getting out of bed and to the bathroom.  By the day of the test, I could not even walk more than 25 feet even with a cane and had to be wheeled into the exam room. It turned out that I had internal Shingles that the nerve specialist should have caught with the information provided such as a mysterious rash with a trail of blisters that did not hurt but were present. The day after I started feeling a binding of the muscles above my elbow and knee.  It is as if my muscles cannot relax.  The anti-viral I stated takng reversed most to f the r[poblem except for the binding feeling.  After 4 months of not being able sleep for more than 2-4 hours at a time, I contacted the doctor's office and asked for help in the way of a muscle relaxer.  The dotor refused to prescribe muscle relaxers even though the condition did not appear until after he performed the EMG unless I came back for an examination.  I do not trust this doctor and will never go back to him.  Does anyone have a solution or suggeston?

[JamesEH]

I HAD AN EMG ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO ON MY ARMS. IT WAS SO PAINFUL AS I FELT SEVERE PAIN TRAVEL THROUGH MY ENTIRE BODY. I CALLED THE DR BACK AFTER A WEEK AND HE SAID IT SHOULD GO AWAY. Never DID. IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. PAIN NOW ALL OVER MY BODY- ESPECIALLY IN MY LEGS. BEEN TO SEVERAL DR'S. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED OR WHAT TO DO. MAYBE JUST IN MY HEAD???

[TommyKnocker81]

Has your pain after EMG test went away? If it did, in what kind of time frame.
Thank you for your reply.

[Claire_MHModerator]

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[Nancy2u]

I had an EMG on my arms and legs.....but since I had it done I have had in my left arm numbness a couple of times.  But now I get a cramp in my thumb and first finger and they draw up tight....I use my right had to pull my finger back in place.  I have never had anything like that in my life time. Did they do some damage to my hand?  They said I have a pinched nerve in my left arm but strange I never had anything like this until now.  

[PJUUIII]

They did it to me 8 yrs ago. I was in so much pain from my feet all of a sudden out of nowhere (I was a runner, dancer, and tai bo enthusiast) and drs would do nothing. I finally thought I was going to be admitted to a hospital (DR. ***** told me if the mg showed anything, she would, but otherwise would send me home to be in agony again for God knows how long) (I had been fervently seeking medical attn, for almost 2 months of pain so bad I literally was screaming most of the time), could not even STEP DOWN on my feet or even lay in bed in ANY position without horrible pain in them (it was only in the feet, remember). After the emg was only started I was cursing Latin from pain that shot into my sciatic nerve. After security was called on me (a Nightmare I don't even want to get into), I went home. a few hours later was startled by a pain the likes of which I will never forget, then WITNESSED with my EYES my vastus lateralis move to the front, and the connect to my knee somehow, now the pain was beyond compare. I suffered thru this with no pain management, as I had the whole time since EVERYTHING they gave me made it worse. It is now 8 years later, and I am in a wheelchair since. I now have peritonitis from the diverticulitis and a whole body infection. It has taken me 1 hour already to write this because I keep having to stop because of pain. I will probably die from this since I  now have PTSS from the way the drs treated me the whole time I was seeking help (I stopped 4 yrs ago untill recently), hospitalized twice from the diverticulitis(which they found 8 yrs ago with MRI and did NOTHING), with no lasting results, now all the pain is all over my body, I have electrical sensations constantly, cannot go out of the house because I am hit with excrutiating pain at any given time and might "scare" someone, and I am done . I sincerely hope I die.

[c_pain]

Wow, I just wish I read this info. before I did this non-sense test called EMG, the test was not that painful to me, may be because I have hade a lots of pain during the past 2 years, the problem or shall I say the crazy severe lower back pain, and the nightmare headache began after a couple of hours I got home from the EMG test, I take baclofen, Neurontin, and migraine headache medicine, it has been about 5 days now since this EMG test done, unfortunately too bad for me the pain is killing me especially the headache, since nothing and I mean nothing works for it, I am told by my neurologist to drink a lots of fluids for the next several days, and the pain should go away. If fluid does the trick that's easy since I love to drink water. But it is amazing that all physician are oblivious to this pain we are going to after EMG, they need to check this forum and ask them selves, why we are getting this pain, at least they need to start doing some research about it.

[kfri]

I too Had an EMG done April 2013. Previously I had had 2 done by another DR without issue(One showed some minor sciatic irritation On Left) This EMG in April was done only on the Right side and performed in a cold room & Dr's technique was not as good as the other. The needle went into my Right thigh and the muscle tightened and hurt a lot more than usual.
I was there because I was having nerve irritation in legs and mostly feet burning swelling redness. All of my motor skills were fine. When I got home within a couple hrs my leg was in severe pain could barely straighten knee. pain in lower leg near anle and on foot. Toe began twitching. Called office and they said that can't happen just rest and drink water. of course my test came back normal. They never followed through with another Dr saying it was a hematoma. I am still in pain and my right leg has never been the same I have severe pain stabbing swelling. EMG's are dangerous and should be a last resort and not performed more than once. I would love to take action but don't know how.

[ellie_yellie]

I recently had a EMG, and it seemed to be okay until the needle
Totally unaware that was going to happen. My leg was in pain already and then he put the needle in my groin, I saw stars and swore in Spanish.
Now I've been to the emergency room and to the doctors office, I'm not happy at all. Now I'm suppose to go for therapy on my right leg and lower back? But I said that my abdomen is hurting and my groin area, how is physical therapy going to fix that? Can't drive because every time I move my leg over, the pain shoots right up to my thigh and my groin area! God help us all.

[eurogaping]

I had a emg of bilateral wrist a live"_electrocution.ive had hell bent shooting pain,"unbelievable "-tingling in fingers,shooting pain to tips of fingers,fron the severe jolts of electricity,shaking nonstop,its a ******* scam I hate doctors and their referal schemes ,using patients as gueony pigs for profit.its ;class action lawsuit"time .ill never give docs my legs(and I thought it was me)

[Jalittlelady]

Hi
I had an emg done on my legs in May of 2012 and I have had nerve pain in my legs  and knees ever since ever since.before the test I had no knee problems,now I have meniscus tears in both knees . Did anyone seek legal advise and if so, was there something that can be done legally

[Bill71132]

Hi..I read your past experience with the EMG and wondered how you are doing,  I also had a very bad experience with my EMG taken on August 13th 2013.  That evening my left leg swelled to twice the size of my right
leg and foot and ankle as well.  Doctor finally sent me for a MRI with the final results being a full torn Archillies tendon,  Went for another MRE on my
right ankle,  Result was a partial tear.  I told the neuroligist who performed
the test that I felt the voltage was too high.  I had surgery on my left tear on 9/5/13 and hopping on the right foot.  Sore as hell.  Tinking of taking legal action as well.  Let me know how you made out.  Bill

[stopthehurt55]

To all who are suffering, I pray for your speedy recovery. My saga began almost 2 years ago. I sustained a severe foot crush injury at work. After a year of therapy and unsuccessful treatments, I had surgery to remove a damaged section of my foot. Now months after the surgery, I'm dealing with inflammation, pain, insomnia...You name it. Recently I had an EMG procedure done due to continuing numbness in the foot. After the 2 hour procedure, the doctor  said I may have a Herniated Disc in the back. Now a few days after the EMG (which was extremely painful from the shocking, then the needles) I have increasing lower back pain, pain in my legs, ankles, foot, and overall feeling of malaise. Reading the posts on this forum has me worried due to the fact many of you poor people are still in pain months after the EMG was performed. I have already been suffering with ongoing issues because of my foot injury for almost 2 years. It has been a life altering experience not for the better. Here's hoping we all can overcome our agony and have a better quality of life. Good luck and God bless.  

[auntmame]

I had an EMG done on my leg in May, 2012 and I am still suffering from it.  I've had 3 previous EMGs done over the years so I know it is not pleasant but this was unbearable.  During the test, the doctor asked me, "What happened to your leg?"  About two inches of my calf collapsed.  He said "You must have been sitting in the waiting room with your legs crossed."  It is now 8 months later, my calf is the same, and the nerve pain continues in the spots where he inserted the needle (ankle, shin, lower calf), and my knee and groin.  Three times I had to go for urgent care to get anti-inflammatories because my knee swelled up so bad.  When I told my primary care physician, she told me "that's impossible."  I am so glad I found this site.  Obviously, it's not impossible but I don't know what to do or who to go to for this.  I will NOT have another EMG.  I had hip replacement this past November and the nerve pain from the EMG (along with my knee swelling again) got so bad it was worse than the surgery.