Hi all,
Just a quick question, my wife today has had her sensory evoked test done, and they have said that the results will be back with consultant today (the test never finished till 4.30pm). The voltage they used on ars was low, wife said 3 and on right leg 15.6 and on left leg 20.6. What we both want to know is it normal for the consultant to get the results so quick and for such a higher voltage in legs rather than arm.
Thanks in advance
Hi,
I’ve never had this particular test, only the visual one, but as there is nothing to be sent off to the lab, I don’t see why the results shouldn’t be available almost immediately. Any delay would only be the time it takes to present them nicely, and I’m not even sure how much of that would be automated, or just filling in an empty template. So I don’t recommend you read too much into it being quick. If the results are already in the building, and only need to land on his desk, there’s no reason it ought to take weeks, even if that’s what we’ve grown to expect of the NHS.
As for the difference in potentials between upper and lower body, I’ve no idea what the significance is - if any. Again, try not to read to much into it. Without knowing what the range of normal results is, it’s impossible to tell what is abnormal. It’s part of the consultant’s job to interpret all that, so no doubt you will be hearing.
Tina
I had these done a few weeks ago, and the lady who did them gave me a general gist of results there are then as she could see them on her screen as they happened. She said the results would be sent to my Neuro immediately, but I have no idea if that would be electronically or otherwise.
I would try not to worry, and just be happy that you don’t have to wait long for the results.
Good luck xx
My sensory EP results were reported as normal. My right leg was triggered by a voltage of 4 but my left leg required a minimum of 18. The voltage variability doesnt seem to be a factor in the result. In fact the variability wasnt even reported to my neuro so I brought it up and when I queried it with him he said he didnt know what would cause the much higher setting for one leg but speculated it could say be due to a varying thickness of fat over the nerve. In contrast, the nurse (presumably she has some specialist knowledge) who conducted the test appeared to find the high voltage ‘odd’ and seemingly consistent with the problem I was then having with that leg - it frequently gave way underneath me without warning.
thanks when they done the arms it only need 3 to make the thumbs twitch and then on the legs its needed the much higher voltage and then reaction in the legs was nearly none existant even at that voltage. the legs have been the main problems and while she was in hospital could not move then for nearly 2 weeks. The nurse even took the results to a doctor to read before letting my wife leave the hospital.
Hi read your notes. Not sure if this is right and I am taking this from my evoke test last year. I don’t think the voltage is the issues. I believe they are measuring the speed of the message from the brain to the limb. My results came back with relayed response in my left leg which was consistent with the lesion on my spinal cord and reduce strength in the left leg and clones in the left leg. The results were sent to the neurologist but I did not get until I received my follow up letter a month later. Sorry but I have found if your chase the consultant by phone or email your normally get a quick response. Hope you get some answers soon. Jason.
When I had mine done they said that when there has been damage to the myelin sheath ( MS), it is exactly like the coating of an electrical wire being damaged. It means that the electrical current has to “jump” the damaged bits instead of smoothly running through, and this means it is slower than it should be. The computer programme will be measuring the time it takes from the time the pulse of electricity is applied to the time this impulse is measured in the brain (with the sensors glued to your wives scalp). It will then be compared to standard times in normal people. If the response time is slower, it suggests damage. The voltage is just made to the amount to create a response. As far as I know there is no particular significance in Ms. In MS the damage to the “wire” will be further away - either in the spinal cord or brain, so the voltage required to create the twitch in the fingers or toes is not important, because it will reflect the transmission of the electricity in that area. I suspect if there is any damage causing the increased voltage requirement, that is more likely to be good news than bad (ie being caused by damage to the nerves local to the foot or hand - this is not the problem in MS). I hope that makes sense and helps - it’s a worrying time for you, I hope you find out the answers soon. Leah. 