Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Nerve Test Thingy

A few days ago I mentioned going to the doctor with some discomfort and ending up scheduled for a round of bloodwork and a nerve conduction test.

You would think the bloodwork would be pretty basic. A quick stick and it's done. But not this time. Apparently this lab tech graduated from the Marquis de Sade College of Bloodletting. It hurt when the needle was going in. It hurt while it was in. And it hurt even worse when he pulled it out. And I still managed to walk out without bitch slapping him across the room.

And then came The Nerve Test Thingy. It was weird! First of all I had to walk around the room on tiptoe and then on my heels. No problem there. Then I had to hold my hands out in front of me, close my eyes, and shake my head. No problem again. Then I had to pat my head while rubbing my tummy. Oh, okay, so I made that one up. Let's move on.

The real core of The Nerve Test Thingy was the zapping, the poking, and the vibrating. The doctor had me lay down on the table while he attached all sorts of little devices to my arms and legs to measure response. Then he proceeded to zap me with a little electrical gadget that looked like those battery operated nose hair trimmers. It varied in intensity from a slight tingle to making me jump around the table like those actors when the yell 'clear' and zap them with the paddles! And then he put away that little gadget and poked me with wires (sort of an accupuncture thingy)...and oh yes, that was pleasant. NOT! Finally he touched me here and here and there (no, not THERE!) with a little vibrator. My job was just to let him know what I felt.

I'll get the results of some of this nonsense tomorrow. At the moment I'm not worried about the outcome. I think I'll be just fine. Unless they want more tests. Those things are worse than my original symptoms!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had that whole series done a few years ago. As I recall, the nerve test doctor's assistant was name Igor, and he walked stooped over with a hump on his back...

Hoping for the best possible news on results...

Anonymous said...

My Mum has had those tests several times...I can't say watching them being done is much of a comfort. Hope the results are good.

Radioactive Tori said...

I had those tests done before and they are NOT fun! When they did the needle nerve conduction one I had bruises all over my body from it for weeks! I had bloodwork once where the lady messed up somehow and my blood shot all over the room. I'm not crazy aboutu bloodwork anyway, so this was pretty traumatic! I hope the results show nothing serious for you!

Your comment on my blog yesterday was so sweet! You have no idea how that made my day so much happier! Thanks!

Max and Me said...

zapping, poking, and vibrating you say? and paddles? is it getting warm in here?

Star said...

Hi there. Michele sent me. Being just 52 I started having some strange symptoms. i have been attributing them to menopause, but latelt the schy muscles have been getting on my nerves and I thought about making a doctor's appointment. After your post and the comments, I think I'll wait. goodluck.

craziequeen said...

Hey Em,

A return visit from the Palace, thanks to the Mighty Michele...

So, will we get to hear if you have any nerves??

Nice to e-meet you - e-see you soon!

cq

Em said...

Meander, I love how you put the silver lining on the experience! For the rest of you, thanks for the support!

rashbre said...

Eek. I suppose its a way of testing that you are serious about the symptoms. You should certainly get a buzz from the tests.

Here via Michele's.

rashbre

Jill said...

What is so hard about drawing blood?? I got an inept phlebotomist once and punished her by passing out cold while she dug around in my arm with the needle. The next time I came in, she passed me off to someone else.

Ruth Dynamite said...

Sadists - every last one of them. With their big cold needles and rubbery tourniquettes. Oh - and their steely eyes.