An EMG isn't painful. I've had them personally. I've never had a laminectomy but have taken care of hundreds of patients that had them and they are the easiest to take care of. They usually go home the next day.

I have had an EMG a couple of times and I would say it was more discomfort than pain. I'm glad you're getting to the bottom of things!

I had an EMG several years ago. I would describe it, and did so at the time, as "exceedingly unpleasant", but not painful. I remember asking the technician if this is what was used for torture, without gels, on sensitive body parts, in evil places. He said yes. With the gel, on the legs, it's tolerable. But, if you use your imagination...

Btw, I had it because of an hours-long leg cramp, and they couldn't determine the cause. They did tell me, though, that it didn't look like I would develop the form of ALS that my grandmother had. I hope they were right about that.

I have had NINE (yes, 9) EMGs -- all done within 18 months of the car accident I was in (I was a passenger). I agree that they are exceedingly unpleasant to mildly painful. I'd say the first one was the worst, because I didn't know what to expect. After that, I knew I was in for some unpleasantness and pain, and if you know that's what going to happen, it doesn't come as such a shock. Somewhat akin to the nuclear stress tests for my heart.

I've had laminotomy. Not sure if this is the same as for your dh as the spelling is slightly different, or I've got the spelling wrong on my end here.

They removed part of the spine to give the sciatic nerve a place to exist. It was a success. I can walk again. They sent me home that night. Not a good idea, fyi, but that's their policy for economics. I'd recommend he stay at least overnight.

It's almost 10 years now. Life expectancy of the procedure for me was 1-10 years. I hope it keeps on lasting. Next stop is hardware and I'd like to put that off as long as possible.

The spinal center did extensive EMGs on me prior to surgery. Found lots of disturbances in the legs. I had twtiches, tremors and vibrations constantly in the legs. They thought it would improve post-op, but it's been worse since then. I live with it. Do not like, but like I said, I can walk again and that's more important to me. I highly recommend he not be a hero with the pain meds and nerve relaxers post-op. Stay medicated so he's comfortable during healing. Healing was pretty rough (in my case) and I was a lot younger than your dh is.

Sending good wishes to your dh.

Thanks to all! I guess we'll know how DH fares with the test after tomorrow.

The first neuro (who specializes in ALS) commented that DH has a congentially narrow space along the spinal cord for the nerves -- I;m blanking on the name of this canal. It's probably imprtant for the surgeon to have any and all further information he can get, because of that.

DH's most recent 'surprise' is that the index finger of his right hand has swollen and become hard to bend. IDK if the arm and leg nerves are in the same space along the spine or not.

Encouraging to hear how successful everyones' surgeries have been -- and Kath's endorsement, too. We'll know more after April 6. Happily our DS is able to be our 'Uber'. Downtown Chicago has become too much of a canyon for me to navigate, and the expressways are monstrous. (Who *was* that young woman who used to whip in and out of the city in her little Austin Healey without giving it a thought?)