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Nerve Conduction Test: A Blogging Related Injury | Print |  E-mail
Written by Joeprah   
 
on Wednesday May 14, 2008
Editor's rating No rating
Average user rating 10/10   (4 votes)
Views 517    
Favoured 45

How Not to Sit at the ComputerSo, I see a neurologist every six months because I have mild retardation (see juvenile myoclonus) and in-between recent visits I developed some numbness (left pinky and ring finger) and discomfort in my left elbow.  Apparently, I do not subscribe to proper posture when I am in full-blog-mode (see sloucher pictured left) and the fact that I rest my head on my left hand via elbow support is somehow not helpful.  On my visit last week, my doctor told me that there is a chance the nerve may heal on its own if I change my habits, but there was also a chance that I may need surgery (nothing big, an out-patient dealy).  But, I was told I did need to schedule an EMG or Nerve Conduction Study/Test and today was the day. 

I really had no expectations going into the study other than I knew that it would take about an hour.  It wasn’t until I was in the examination room that I found out what the study was comprised of.  Basically the test is a combination of electric shocks and a bunch of needles.  It was like I was in the movie Hostel for an hour and this strange man with an expensive watch and a last name I have always had difficulty pronouncing induced pain in a myriad of ways.  How is the study conducted? 

  1. you are grounded—you know, like an electrical appliance
  2. the doctor gets out some of that jelly stuff that I think they use during sonograms
  3. the doctor dips his stun gun/cattle prod into the gunk
  4. the doctor gears up the amperage so to better shock you
  5. you are shocked
  6. steps 3-5 are repeated up and down each arm maybe like 50 times or so
  7. you blackout
  8. once you regain consciousness you notice the test isn’t over
  9. the doctor now has a needle/slim sturdy metal implement
  10. the needle is attached to a electrical measuring device
  11. the doctor says something ironic like, “this won’t hurt”
  12. the doctor plunges said needle/metal implement directly into an arm muscle about an inch deep
  13. you are asked to flex said muscle with the needle in it
  14. steps 11-13 are repeated numerous times up and down the arm
  15. the doctor says something alarming like, “this may hurt a little”
  16. you are stuck in the fleshy part of your thumb about ½ inch deep
  17. it hurts
  18. you are asked to flex said muscle with the needle in it
  19. steps 15-18 are repeated a number of times in the hand
  20. you blackout again
  21. you regain consciousness as the doctor says you may need surgery to repair a pinched ulna nerve

During all these test the doctor will invariable say something really crazy like, "relax" or "relax, please."  I felt like saying, "You just shocked me with that cattle prod thing, so it's a little hard to relax at the moment," or, "I'll relax as soon as the needle is out of thumb muscle."  I basically felt like this guy:

 

So, for all of you out there that are having tingling in your hands/fingers, get it checked out.  How do I prevent getting a blogging related injury?Ergonomical Split Keyboard

  • Don’t lean on your elbows
  • Don’t slouch
  • Don’t spend too much time in one positionComfy Mouse Pad
  • Do use an ergonomic split keyboard that conforms to your arm angles naturally 
  • Do use an ergonomic mouse pad that conforms to your wrist angle naturally mouse pad
  • Do Support your feet (I was told that is important too)  

So, if you have noticed I haven't commented your blogs regularly as of late, I have a note.  Do you have a blogging related injury?  Care to share?

**This has been a public service announcement from team Joeprah, happy blogging.**  

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Users' Comments (35) RSS feed comment
Posted by Christine @ Serenity How?, on Wednesday May 14, 2008 , , Guest
I had that testing done several years ago. It was so strange and when I get nervous I laugh, so I laughed my fool head off through the whole thing. Maybe they should have been testing me for brain damage instead. :grin
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Jeremy, on Wednesday May 14, 2008 , , Registered
Great! Now I know why my hands, wrist and elbow have been hurting! This illness must be contagious.
 
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Posted by CO Green Dad, on Wednesday May 14, 2008 , , Registered
Ouch...sorry man. But yeah, don't sneeze my way if you please.... :)
 
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Posted by Natural, on Wednesday May 14, 2008 , , Guest
i hate this keyboard 
 
an ergonomic split keyboard that conforms to your arm angles naturally. 
 
i'll risk the damage. :grin
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by amy turn sharp, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
don't want those injuries...must stop looking like you on the puter. I have worst posture known to man!
 
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10/10
Posted by tuxedoxpress, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
Excellent Public Service Announcement - even better than the Beyonce kid's duds (and I do mean duds). 
 
What I want to know Joeprah is how you managed to black-out, not once, but twice. I would have loved to know that trick for when the neurologist did that 'darn' test on my lower extremities. 
 
I LOLd when I remembered the doc saying "Relax", while he was shocking me. Well, at least I can't blame blogging for my probs. But I DO suggest you eliminate the slouch. As an old woman, I can tell you that it will come back to haunt you in later years. 
 
Thanks for sharing! 
 
Brennan
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Deborah, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Dear joe, I get terrible neck pain from slouching as you have depicted in your illustration. Sit up straight! Otherwise, when you're my age, your nose will be touching your breastbone. I also have a pretty common blog condition, as opposed to injury, called buttus spreadus. English translation: lard ass.
 
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Posted by Bad Momma, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Oh crap! I think I'm in the early stages of what Deborah has. OK,... gotta go, my neck is hurting and my nose is about to touch the keyboard. I think it's too late to change the slouching habit.
 
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Posted by stewartallyn, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
So you don't stay in one position to long, try the two beer approach. 
 
First beer with right hand...second beer with left hand...get up and stretch legs while going to the bathroom. Repeat as often as necessary. No cattle prod needed to pass out.
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by MileHighDad, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
:? Yo Joe, bummer... Who ever woulda thought! So, do you now have a nervous twitch from all the zaps? :upset 
I too have a Blogging injury, I am left handed, my "flip you" finger on that hand has gone numb at the tip on the pinky side of life. My "dad workstation" has me inputting on a laptop with a touchpad. That dang touchpad! It gets touched by this digit at that spot, this is the second time with this so, it's about time to go find my mini-mouse and hook it up and let the feeling come back.  
MileHighDad 8)  
http://www.milehighdad.com
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Matt, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Oh great....now I think I have it! That sounds like a really great way to spend a day...do they make a home kit or something?
 
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Posted by abunslife, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
Well, I endured childbirth with an epidural that failed on me...so I know what pain is..... I had a nerve conduction test done before I had my bilateral carpal tunnel surgery and man oh man that freakin hurt like a mother, and I didn't even get a cute wrinkly baby afterwards. You better do whatever you need to do to get better.....I have permanent nerve damage in my hands because I let it go to long and having the surgery plus recovery is no fun with children in the house. Oh, and it's real hard to pull up your own pants for a few weeks.
 
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10/10
Posted by peteej, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
Dude, major bummer on the electroshock therapy. Thanks for the link on your condition, but i have to say, it was a little over my head. I got lost at "CACNB4 encodes a calcium channel ² subunit."  
 
I am an avid follower of the "hunchback of notre dame" posture method, which is probably not a good thing.
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Kim, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Yikes.. thanks for the warning.. as I lie in bed all slouched up with my lap top.  
 
PS. I have been MIA due to sick kiddies.. I finally got your button up for the contest.. I am a little late.. yep. that is how I roll.
 
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Posted by Quirkee James, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
"you blackout 
once you regain consciousness you notice the test isn’t over" 
 
:grin  
 
Your posture looks a lot like mine at the desk. I wonder if that's why I'm always numb.  
 
Nah, it's probably the bourbon.
 
» Reply to this comment...
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Posted by Hockeyman, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Funny, during my vascectomy I remember the odd moments not happening during the pre-routine shave or this novacane injections. It was during procedure 1 of 2 that the doctor was discussing his mashed potatoes from eating out the night before with the nurse. I was like...HELLO? You just cut open my man bag...pay attention asshole! Needless to say he did a good job I guess as it worked. :grin
 
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Posted by JO-N, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Joe, thanks for sharing this. I tend to get backaches and headache when I sit in front of the computer too long. I'm slowly cutting down the time I spend bloghopping.
 
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Posted by Melisa, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
Be sure and let us know if you start to feel nervous when storms are rolling in, like that guy in "The Great Outdoors". :grin
 
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Posted by Kim Martucci, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Hi! 
I was referred to your blog by Surburban Scrawl...hoping she gets points towards the contest! I enjoyed your blog...Now I'm back to forecasting the weather in DC...don't tell my bosses I was here...shhhhh!
 
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Posted by Mama Bear, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
:cry  
I am crying for you, I have had that test at least 7 times in my 38 years. Funny, I was at the neurologist yesterday too, my right side is starting to show desensitivity to temperatures and sensation. YEAH, not. I have my MRI scans to be rechecked for MS next Wednesday.  
Do I have bloggin related injuries? Funny. I have pitiful posture, so I mess with myself daily, and still dearest I am an addict.
 
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Posted by Audubon Ron, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
You sustained the injury at Navy Seal training when you threw yourself on that live grenade, which turned out to be a dud, but was thinking only to save your buddies, landed on your elbow, for which you received a purple heart anyway, right? 
 
I’m think’in we need to play the sympathy factor here with a little more intensity.  
 
For example, as I type I’m dipp’in Mission chips in a salsa container that says, “Best eaten by July 22, 2004.” I’m always keep’in it on the edge, man.
 
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Posted by Momo Fali, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
Dude, you are such a wuss! I had one of those tests when I had a pinched nerve and it didn't hurt at all. Oh wait...maybe that was because of the Vicodin.
 
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Posted by jt12blk, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Registered
I swear, your description sounds eerily similar to accounts of alien abduction. Does the "doctor" have grey skin, and huge, black eyes? just curious. 
 
Michael was diagnosed with a similar sort of thing just before he turned three. He used to have this spasm and then he'd drop whatever he might have been holding. Doc diagnosed Myoclonic Jerk, and he's been on medication for it ever since. Haven't had a recurrence fortunately, so by next year he should be able to get off the meds.  
Hang in there - and watch your posture!
 
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Posted by Heather, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
I had that same injury - pain in my elbow and numbness alternating with tingling in those fingers. My doctor said that it was caused from leaning on my elbow too much when working at my desk. But I didn't go through anything like you did. And I quit leaning on my elbow and it went away.
 
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Posted by jen, on Thursday May 15, 2008 , , Guest
Joe I am so sori to hear that you suffer from epilepsy 
my bil does too 
 
as for the rsi I guess having such a great blog such as yours comes at a price hope it gets better
 
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Posted by prin, on Friday May 16, 2008 , , Guest
:-O I'm sorry you got tortured. I hope you recover quickly... Or is that possible with nerve things? Dunno. Either way, I hope you return to semi-functionality in the not too distant future. :D
 
» Reply to this comment...
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Posted by Wayfaring Wanderer, on Friday May 16, 2008 , , Registered
My middle finger is numb right now from my laptop touch pad....haha....that's no good! 
 
I'm all set up at work, with all the stuff you listed.....I had neck surgery over a year ago so it was necessary.....along it wasn't blogging relate....but it doesn't get aggravated at times :cry
 
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Posted by Dallas Meow, on Friday May 16, 2008 , , Guest
heh 
blackout 
really! :roll  
-- I have permanent nerve damage, what I need is a split keyboard but I need wireless... and oh yeah, under 30.00 cuz I am poor and cheap. 
guess I know why I haven't found one yet. . . :zzz
 
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Posted by Half-Past Kissin' Time, on Sunday May 18, 2008 , , Guest
Thanks for saving me the co-pay, Joe. The funniest part of that post was that I was sitting with my face resting in my hand as I read it!
 
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Posted by Jo Beaufoix, on Sunday May 18, 2008 , , Guest
Ouch, ooo I must follow your guidelines too, and I definitely have the lard arse happening. Boo. 
And that clip was awful. I really felt sorry for the bloke. Though it was kind of funny seeing all those tiny police people hanging off his arms. Bad Jo. (Me, not you.)
 
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10/10
Posted by Piper of Love, on Monday May 19, 2008 , , Registered
Wow Joeps, that is a crazy good post! Way to power through it. 
 
Seriously, I know what you mean. I am having major pain in my shoulders and between my shoulder blades from slumping over a keyboard for hours on end. Plus, I'm on a computer all day at work. I just threw down some cash yesterday for some back stretching exercise stuff.  
 
It really sucks because blogging, commenting, and buzzing is pretty much my favorite thing ever. But I get hurting so bad I just have to lay down sometimes. Need a laptop!!  
 
How freaking old am I that I just complained about my back?? Sheesh.  
 
Ownage!
 
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Posted by AshMom, on Monday May 19, 2008 , , Guest
:eek OMG! I had one of those tests and ... yikes! The little happy pastel pamphlet they gave me provided no warning and the doc was pissed that after 1.5 hours and both legs, I just couldn't take 30 minutes *more* in my spine. Afterwards, the nurse asked the doc if I was a "survivor." The doc just gave a sad shake of her head in the negative. I think it was really a test to see if I had the devil in me. I obviously failed.
 
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Posted by ourcrookedtree, on Monday May 19, 2008 , , Registered
*Carie slowy uncrosses legs and readjusts position* Uh oh. That must be why my left should tingles. You sound much worse than me...must be yoru ag catching up to you : Feel better soon, and take some of your own advice!
 
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Posted by Jo-Lynne (dcrmom), on Thursday May 22, 2008 , , Guest
Oh shoot me. Just shoot me. If I have to have that test done, I will die. I am having lots of issues with my right arm. Going to doc tomorrow.
 
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by so grateful to be mormon, on Friday May 23, 2008 , , Guest
wow joe, that is some doctor's note! kathleen
 
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Joeprah Who is Joeprah?  I am a stay at home dad to three daughters.  I have an amazing wife, and under the direction and encouragement of close friends, I started this site over a year ago.  You can follow me at The Examiner.com, Twitter, Stumble Upon and Cre8Buzz.  Read more...

 

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