"What is your pain level?"

I love it when you go to the doctor because you can't feel your fingers and the doctors ask you, "What is your pain level?" Well, if my fingers are numb, I feel no pain. I just went to the Neurologist yesterday to get an EMG (an acronym that basically means "shock treatment" and brutal acupuncture). It wasn't as bad as it sounds, though (I'd do the test any day over a barium swallow). the needle was pretty small, and hurt a lot less than IV's I've received during various surgeries. The shocking part was a little annoying, but maybe the shock treatment would help my depression, if I had any. I didn't really liked being poked like a pin cushion, either (he also moved the little needle around and then asked me to flex my muscles). The doctor told me that the people who cry the hardest when he gives this test are the young, tough military guys (like special forces) who have tatoos. It didn't make me cry, and I couldn't understand why a tough military guy would cry. Maybe women are able to endure more pain (after all, I've had 3 c-sections and a bad gall bladder--shock treatment--bring it on!) What I thought was problems with my ulnar nerves (in both arms) turns out to be carpal tunnel syndrome. I was pretty relieved. I see the orthopedic hand specialist next week. He'll probably give me a couple shots of cortizone and make me wear braces on my wrists. Good thing it's almost fall. I'll have to pull out my long sleeves so my wrist braces don't stick out so much.