Chapters 2 & 3 of Nerve Contuction test
- by jessame
- 2010-10-05 08:10:48
- Conditions, Meds & Tests
- 1353 views
- 5 comments
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I had to have a nerve conduction test because my toes on my right foot are numb. So last week I go for my appt. and the tech and & missed our connection, so my drs. office rescheduled it for today. I show up for the test and as she was swabbing my feet and calves with alcohol she asks if they explained the test to me. When I replied that they had not she started to explain it to me when she stated that as long as I didn't have a pacemaker I would be fine. I told her that I did have one and she abrubtly halted the description of the test and informed me that she could not do the test. When asked why, she replied that the company that she works with won't do the test on people with pacemakers due to liabilty issues because of the electrical currents(low voltage) used to do the test. I explained to her that it was safe and would not affect the pm, I even volunteered to call my EP. But the answer was still no. I just don't understand why some medical diagnostic facilities won't keep up on what is and isn't safe for those of us with pm/icd's. Now I am back to square one as far as my foot goes. The MRI that is really needed I can't have.
Oh well I guess I will just have to see what my doctor says.
Has anyone had problems with getting medical tests done knowing that it is safe and convincing them to do it?
Just curious. Thanks,
Mona
5 Comments
NCS
by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-10-06 01:10:41
Funny you posted today, I was searching last night for your prior posts and could not locate them. Due to a back problem and ongoing nerve issues I was referred to a neurologist for an NCS&EMG. I am waiting for a call but did read in their brochure that if you have a PM your NCS will be limited. I am afraid I will run into the same problem but really need the test! I researched a little last night and did find info that as long as it was not above your torso it was fine. I would get as much documentation as you can from your EP, PM rep, etc and then talk to someone in the office who may have a bit more sense and have the authority to approve the procedure. Are there other clinics you can call to see if they will perform the procedure? Please let us know what you find out!
Good luck!
Heidi
EMG
by Pookie - 2010-10-07 11:10:10
I had an EMG done on my 5th & 7th cranial nerves (which are located in your face near your ear & jaw) and I did just fine. The doctor who performed it was well aware that I have a pacemaker and so does the Neuro doc who ordered the test.
Mona, I'm surprised they wouldn't do it as your foot is a pretty long ways from your pacer.
Pookie
NCS
by jessame - 2010-10-08 12:10:04
Hi Pookie,
An NCS is a nerve conduction study. Not sure how it works but it involves low voltage electrical currents.From what I have read they sometimes do an NCS & EMG combination.I just googled it and found a lot of articles on that study.I'm still a little ticked that they would not perform the test. My podiatrist assumed that they would have a medtronic tech there to turn the pm off and monitor me while the test is being done so he wasn't too pleased with what happened either. So he is going to send a report to my primary care and then I guess he will have me see a neurologist to have the test done. I have friends that have had the test done and it has alway been with a neurologist, so we'll see.
I was glad to have read that you got to meet Blake. Other than communicating with everyone on this site the only person that I know with a pm is actually in my family. My sister-in-law had hers placed ten years ago. In fact she just had a battery change last month at John Hopkins in Baltimore,Md. The thing is she never wants to talk about her pm so we don't. She really never has any problems stemming from that, which is a good thing.
I think this club ought to plan a PM/ICD cruise. Maybe just a 3 day or something. Wouldn't that be fun? We could always see if we could pay for a cardiologist to come along just in case. LOL!!
Well glad to see you back! You sound so happy :p
Mona
You know you're wired when...
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Nerve tests
by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-06 01:10:00
Maybe you can find some other company or neurologist that would be willing to do the test. With the test confined to the lower part of your body it should be no problem. You may need to have a Medtronic rep available to monitor the pacer and assure them.
frank