What are nerve conducter tests?

I am a diabetic and very nervous about this disease. my back has been itching a lot lately, so I make a doctor visit and he set up a nerve conducter test for me. I am mor nervous now because In the last five years of being a recoving addict, every year something new happens. If it was possible, I would never have used drugs. This can never be a good decision. Please tell me about this test.

The itch in you back without any signs on the skin could indicate peripheral neuropathy. I have had this done and there is hardly any discomfort. Your poor control while an addict has probably done its damage and now your job is to do the best control you can to prevent further complications from your diabetes.

It is a test to make sure that the nerves are not damaged and conduct properly. Small (very) needles are inserted at certain points and mild electrical charges are sent through the needle to see the reaction and see if the nerves are intact. It is a little uncomfortable but worth it in the long run to make sure you don't have more things happening to you.

You probably mean a "nerve conduction study."

Basically, this study examines how healthy the peripheral nerves are. Basically the person performing the test will attach surface electrodes to your arms and/or legs. They then will give you a gentle "shock" (think of it like the sudden shock you get from static electricity in the winter time) and record how fast the impulse is conducted which then can tell them how healthy or damaged the nerves are.

There is a second part of the study called the EMG in which they insert a small needle into selected muscles and "listen' to how healthy they are when you activate it. It's a little more uncomfortable but not terrible (I've had it done myself so I know what my patients go through).

Like you I was kinda concerned? I lost the feeling in my outer right foot and leg due to a Disc Bulge, so off for this Nerve conduct study? I was in a wheelchair at the time, had to be driven by taxi for two and half hours was stone cold below the waist by the time I got their. Anyway first thing a nice man placed a pad on my right foot and a circle thing on my ankle and fired some electrical current. It did not hurt, the right foot jumped and the left big toe jumped, which was unexpected and rather funny? He then switched legs and I waited for the right big toe to jump but nothing? I was a wee bit disappointed so asked him to try again, just in case it had not woken up, but he did not? Then the Nuerologist arrived and stuck needles in the right leg, up the outer side and fired and the computer took a reading. Then he moved the needles up above my knee and did it again. Then he moved to the left leg above the knee, did the reading and that was it, all done in less than ten minutes. I came out had to wait for a letter to state that I had attended this appointment. While waiting the Neurologist called down a Jnr Doctor and they were sat in the office looking at some results on the computer screen. The conversation went Neuro 'Now this is a interesting case, 48 female with Arthritis we need to try and distinguish between inflammation and nerve damage'. I am listening and then the cent dropped 'Oh thats me, 48 female with Arthritis'. I then thought well if they have the results and now need to sit down and figure out if the problem is 'nerve damage' or just 'inflammation' what was the point in coming? The results stated all was 'within' the 'expected' criteria? Now as to if that means for someone with Arthritis, or someone with a bulging disc, who knows? I do know one thing, the motor nerves, the part that drives the leg/foot is still working, however the 'sensory' part is not good. As long as the foot leg do what they are supposed to do, keep me walking, I can live with the problem. Nothing to be nervous about. You only start to worry when the motor nerves are damaged because then things do not work. I am now at risk of loosing my bowel and bladder function, motor nerves and I assume I should be worried?