Electromyography Care

Make sure you talk to your doctor about the medicines you are taking. You may be asked to adjust certain medicines up to a week before the test, such as:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin )
• Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), or ticlopidine (Ticlid)

On the day before and day of the test:

• If you have myasthenia gravis , ask if you should take any medicine before the test.
• If directed to, avoid cigarettes, coffee, tea, and soft drinks for 2-3 hours before the test.
• Take a bath or shower before the test.
• On the day before, do not use lotion or oil.
• Wear comfortable clothing, but expect to change into a hospital gown.
• Tell your doctor if you have a pacemaker or other implanted device.

A small needle electrode will be inserted into a muscle at rest. You will be asked to rest or contract the muscle. The electrical activity picked up by the needle will produce a waveform. The waveform will be recorded and analyzed. The test is repeated on different muscles and limbs.

You will be able to leave once the test is done. Once you are home:

• Resume any medicine you stopped before the test.
• Resume normal activities as tolerated.

30-90 minutes

You may have some pain when the needle electrodes are inserted. The insertion feels like an injection into the muscle.

After the test, you may have muscle aches and discomfort for several days. Warm compresses and pain medicine may help.