Electromylogram

Does any one have any experience they could share with this test (needles in the throat doesn't sound too comfortable?),or is there any advice that you can offer please?

A couple of points - to the best of my knowledge whether or not you have spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia) won't show up in an EMG - however it might rule out other neurological conditions.

However those of us who have treatment with botulinum toxin injections (Botox, Myobloc etc) for our SD do usually have a special electronically wired needle placed in the larynx area briefly during the procedure. This isn't to diagnose the SD as such, but to help the physician with correct placement. The idea is that when the tip of the needle is at or near the right place (one of the vocal cord muscles) then the patient is asked to phonate with a brief 'eeee' sound. The electrical nerve activity registers on the EMG machine and confirms the correct location. The physician then goes ahead and injects.

Before the needle is inserted some local anaesthetic is usually given. The procedure is fairly well-tolerated by most of us who have it, and does not last long.

Hope this helps.

As David pointed out, electromyography (EMG) is used to guide BOTOX injections in the larynx for SD. But if you are having an EMG test done by a neurologist to rule out other neurological disorders, it is more likely that you will have the EMG test done on your arm or leg. In a nerve conduction study, a series of small electric shocks will be applied applied by a surface electrode or very small needle attached to your wrist or ankle. The doctor will use a passive electrode further up your limb to measure how fast the electrical impulses move up your limb. A neurological disease such as MS or ALS will be detectable as a decrease the speed of the nerve impulse. I have had this type of test done a couple of times and it is not particularly pleasant, but I don't view it as anything to worry about.