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.  

[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???