EMG scheduled

[mom_2x_2002]

I have scheduled Hannah's emg test that needs to be done before we go to TX. It's scheduled for 5-21. What kind of reactions should we expect from Hannah? I know each child is different. How have other children reacted to the test?

Nicki

[PeggyF]

Nicki,
Hopefully you will have someone doing the EMG that has done EMGs on children before and will do it quickly.
When my daughter had hers done the pediatric neurologist started the test, but received an urgent call, so his students that were observing "finished" the test and did it far too long. Emma cried so much. The EMG lasted for over a half hour when it should have taken 10-15 minutes, tops.
How old is Hannah? Will they be testing only certain areas?
I hope Hannah has an easy time with it.
Good luck!
Peggy

[Tammie]

My son cried every time his "old" dr. did one. We have a new dr. and she's never done one because she doesn't feel it's necessary to do one everytime you see the dr. But I'm wondering why you have to have one before you go to TX? When we went to TX the first time they did all the test there and they did the EMG while he was under, right on the muscle. Whatever you need to have done, make sure you have a caring doctor that has done these on children and knows what they are doing. I know there is a numbing creme that they can put on the arm before they start. Good luck to Hannah.

[Tracey]

Alexyss has had 2 EMG's. They sedated her. It was not so bad. The older they are, the harder it is to tell how they will react. Give HAnnah some Tylenol or Motrin after she comes out. It does hurt a little afterwards. Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome!
Tracey

[KatiesMom]

Katie's EMG took about 10 mins tops. The doctor who conducted the test was wonderful. He is Dr. Wessel at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Katie hated it and what child wouldn't. She cried...a lot. We still have problems getting her to lay down. Her EMG was done on a Friday and that whole weekend she would be fine and suddenly start screaming....like she was thinking about what happened. Fortunately, the test produced postive results and we better understand where her biggest problems lie. God bless you all as you face the test. Our prayers will be with you.

Cheri, Mom to Katie, 11 Mos., LOBPI

[Barbara]

My granddaughter (lobpi) has had 2 EMG's, both performed at a childrens hospital by a pediatric neurologist. I, too, was quite worried about having the EMG's but actually, she came through the testing just fine. She was 5 mo. old for the first one and 10 mo. old for the 2nd EMG. She was not sedated either time nor did the neurologist use the numbing cream. She cried briefly during the testing but was fine before she even left the room; it just didn't seem to bother her much. The 2nd EMG surprised the neurologist by showing biceps, triceps, and deltoid although the first EMG conducted before her primary surgery had shown almost no reaction in these muscles. We were pleased by the results of the 2nd EMG because it seemed to prove to us the success of her primary surgery. Good luck to you with Hannah's EMG testing!!

[Francine_Litz]

Nicki - just wanted to wish Hannah good luck for her EMG. I hope that it goes well and that it's as painfree as possible.

-francine

[mom_2x_2002]

Well Hannah is 3 and her pain tolerance is high. I think for someone her age. We were told if we wanted her sedated we would have to take her to our children's Hospital which is 3 hrs away. I thought we would just give it a try this way. Actually it was TX who said we should get the EMG done before we go there. Its just the standard one that they do. I can't remember all the names of the different muscles. Her doctor has done this plently of times before. She actually schedules a 2 hr block where that is all she does is the EMG test. So no student doctors. Thank goodness

Nicki

[PeggyF]

That's great. I hope Hannah gets through it without any difficulty. It sounds like she is in good hands.
Let us know how it goes.

Take care!
Peggy