HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Neuropsychologist

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/6/2010 1:59 AM (GMT 0)

idea  Hello all,

 

This is one of the docs I saw on Monday. They called today and want me to come back on Friday for a 3-4 hour test. Now when I saw him on Monday I felt like it was sort of an interview to check me out. Then he completed some forms, submitted to my ins. and ta-da, I got a call. My question is, does anyone have a clue what this test is like? I believe it has to do with my congnitive thinking..anyone else ever had such a test done?

 

thanks for any input,

 

Nana

Posted 10/6/2010 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Nana,
The only person I know of that had a test done by a neuropsychiatrist was my mom, about seven years ago, because she was having some memory problems. The test took about 1.5 hours and yes, it did test her cognition.
I hope this helps,
Miriam
Posted 10/6/2010 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
My husband had this test and yes it does test your cognitive abilities.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 10/6/2010 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
You could have an MRI to check out all of the structural stuff in your brain.  But the neuropsychological tests check out how the brain is actually functioning.

There are a whole variety of tests.  It looks like your getting approximately a half battery of the tests.  The neuropsych probably decided which ones to do based on the interview.  Mine took about 7 1/2 hrs.

Just do your best on everything.  It's tiring.  But the pyschometrist (person giving the tests) should be very accomodating.  You should be able to take breaks when you need them.  After sitting for a while I would get up to stretch while she was preparing the next set of tests.

I had a very good neuropysch.  He wrote up an execellent summary.  While much of my cognitive stuff is still very good, the test turned up specific deficits - some were pretty major.  Mostly the stuff I needed to do my job.  confused   Slow processing speed, decreased cognitive flexibilty, matrix reasoning and problem solving.  There was an IQ drop.  The neuropsych tests I think really helped me get SSDI.

There will also probably be another appt. where you will go over your test results.

Hope this helps.  Just be sure to ask for breaks or get up and stretch when you need to  :-)

 

Posted 10/6/2010 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
I would LOVE to have one of these tests! Have fun with it. In the middle of some questions, lean toward the lamp and pretend to get your answers from the lightbulb...or act like your terrified of staplers...repeat everything the dude says - everything...of repeat the question back to him: "What do YOU think this picture is showing?"

<sigh> what a hoot it'd be.

(But get your butt out of there if they bring in one of those jackets with loooong arms that tie in the back. Trust me.)
Posted 10/6/2010 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Morning all,

Thanks to all of your responses!! Especially to you Cindy C!! I didn't think I could laugh this hard so early in the am..I think you and I have the same goofy sense of humor! I'll do my best and see what the guy with the degree has to say..

Now, on a different subject. My rhuemy decided for me to try 90mg of Cymbalta to see if it would help my pain. I slept well till about 4am, where I woke up in such anxiety, HOLY SMOKES, I was ready to jump out of the bed if my body would have followed... Is anyone else on that high of a dose and does the anxiety settle down?
Posted 10/6/2010 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
FibroNana, I got like that on 30 mg of Cymbalta. After only four days, I was feeling like I had eaten a handful of amphetamines, was irritable, anxious, and just downright crazy. I stopped right then, and it still took about three days to get it our of my system. I started gabapentin about 12 days ago. It's awesome (for me). I'll write a post about it soon.
Posted 10/6/2010 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on that too..gabapentin 600 mg 3xday..I was taking 60mg of cymbalta and they amped it up to 90. Not doing that again..I feel exactly as you said...sux!
Posted 10/6/2010 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I went to a neuropsychiatrist because I was worried about my mind. They just had me do little tests with questions/geometry-type stuff/memory stuff, etc. It was sort of fun.
Posted 10/6/2010 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was on a much smaller dose of Cymbalta for several years. I could not increase it during that time because it caused reactions.

My PCP says that the biggest problem with those types of meds is that the drs start and stop them at too large of a dose and it causes a whole host of problems.

I hope you feel better!
Posted 10/6/2010 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for you help and well wishes..

that's the part I hate about the meds, trial and error..

BTW, I love this forum!!!

Hope everyone can make it a pain free day!!

Nana
Posted 10/6/2010 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Funny that you should mention that. I'm having that testing done in November. My disability hearing is Nov 4 and I went to see a lawyer yesterday who told me I probably didn't have a chance to win because my PCP wrote a letter to SS saying that I wasn't disabled (he doesn't believe in chronic pain or fibromyalgia). So I have to decide by tomorrow whether to drop my claim and then re-file later or go to the hearing and be turned down. Apparently I didn't understand what they wanted when I filed. They want 15 years of past working history and I thought they also wanted 15 years of past medical history, so I put down every doctor I had seen in the past 15 years. Then the lawyer told me yesterday they only want medical reports that are for around the time you file. Makes no sense to me, I've had this for 25 years and you'd think they would want to see the medical records reflect that. Anyway, my PCP (who I refuse to talk to anymore) has a wonder NP who treats me now and is sending me to have this neuropyshciatric testing done to see if my cognitive abilities have suffered (I know they have, but the 30-minute consult with THEIR psychologist showed "in his opinion" that I have nothing wrong with my cognitive abilities). The lawyer said he didn't think I should have this neuropsych testing done because they wouldn't put much stock in it; I told them, well, they put stock in what THEIR psychologist told them in one visit. He said it doesn't matter, we play by their rules. Anyway, I'm having the dang test because I want to see for myself how much I've lost mentally over the past few years. The lawyer asked me why did I think I didn't function well mentally. I told him that I used to be a very competent medical transcriptionist and I quit when I realized I wasn't anymore and that I didn't want to screw up anyone's medical report. So, I don't know what to do. I guess hubby and I will talk it over tonight and I'll tell the lawyer something tomorrow. I think I'm also going to make an appointment with a pain specialist since my rheumatologist doesn't know what to do with me anymore (he who says "most of my fibromyalgia patients do well just taking ibuprofen" - HA~). The problem is, I can't just fire my doctor or rheumagologist because there isn't that much choice in this area. The NP takes care of me and handles my pain pretty well, but apparently her opinion doesn't make a difference if the PCP thinks I can "be a productive member of society if" I choose to. Sometimes I really hate doctors.
Posted 10/6/2010 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I hear ya. I'm not sure if this test will help or hurt. I am going to go in and give it my best shot. I'm like you I know for a fact I cannot code pt's operative reports or thier em visits. I'm afraid of many different facets of things that could happen. My boss has told me that if I come back they will not allow parttime and they can't re-train me (her words). That I'd be expected to meet productivity and 100% accuracy. Well, that isn't going to happen..Hell, I have to backspace every other word because I've typed the wrong thing. I haven't filed for SS yet. The long term disabilty folks are trying to decide if they are going to cover me. I've been on short term and they said if they do approve I have to apply for SS. EVeryone has said that you automatically get denied the first time.
what area do you live in? I'm fortunate (I think) that I live near Houston, medical ctr and all of my docs are there. I have a rheumy who's dx me, my pcp and will be heading to a neurosurgeon on 21st because of the nerve they found that is pinched or something..

I wish you all the best..We have to make some tough choices..My salary was cut to 60% and I'm thankful for that..but as most folks we lived pretty tightly..My saving grace has been GOD! Seriously, I am trusting in HIM! How can I loose?

keep me posted on how you're doing..

Nana
Posted 10/7/2010 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Fibronana, have you ever seen Dr. Salvato in Houston? I've heard alot of promising things about her and after basically firing my rheumy this past week my husband wants me to go to Houston and see someone there(he used to live there and says the doctors and medical care is so much better). I have an appt with her Dec. 1st but don't want to get my hopes up that she will be compasionate or understanding of this illness, no other doctor that I've ever seen has.
Posted 10/7/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Saintsfan,

No, I've never heard of her but I can ask the doc I'm seeing tomorrow if he has. There are soo many in this area. The other docs I'm seeing haven't heard of my rhuemy either. And the neurologist that is referring me to the neruosurgeon hasn't heard of him. He's referring me to him on the basis of the EMG doc. Apparently the neurosurgeon in a chief, so I feel relatively comfortable with that. When my rhuemy first dx me she also said sometimes this is mind over matter yada yada yada...the thing that helped me is that she had been following me for the past 2 yrs thinking it was something else.

I'll let you know what I find out after tomorrow's appt. hang in there, I'm having issues with the ins. co. now..seems to never end..

Nana
Posted 10/9/2010 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Did anybody here pass the neuropshych test?

Thank you so very much for any responses.

Posted 10/10/2010 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Fibronana, how did your appt go?
Posted 10/10/2010 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
It lasted almost 6 hrs! I was given a variety of tests by a very young man who barely looked 25. Lots of word repeating and looking at symbols and then placing them in a grid and then of course draw a clock and write your alphabet. Lots of repetative questions..I think I did ok on most but not so well on the memory. Last but not least was a 525 question that asks from what you like to do for a living to I don't like it when I'm working and the voices in my head start talking to me...for real!!!

You'll be fine...I do believe it will be a good tool, but I also believe it is in the hands of the one interpretting the test..sorry if I misspelled..

watched my neices 2 sons last night while she spent the weekend at a beach house partying with her girlfriends...awwwhhh memories..now I'm the one babysitting..but I'm also paying a bigger price...OUCH! and now my other grandkiddo's want to come hang at Nana's...HELP ME!

I will say this, I've been more active this past week and yes, I'm hurting, but my stamina seems to be better..not much but better..

More later this evening..Hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday doing whatever makes YOU happy!

NANA
Posted 10/10/2010 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Nana, the 525 questionnaire sounds like the MMPI. And the draw a clock one - some people with brain damage put all the numbers on one side or something like that.
Sounds like they were very thorough!
Sue
Posted 10/10/2010 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
yes they were. I'm glad it's over. I go back on the 21 for results. Also go see the neurosurgeon for the inpinged nerve in my leg! THEY FINALLY figured out why my left leg and left buttock is always either burning or in pain and my bottom goes numb.. hopefully if we get get that repaired it will help with lots of other issues..
Posted 10/11/2010 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I flunked mine, it was a disaster.
Posted 10/11/2010 4:18 AM (GMT 0)

FibroNana said...
Morning all,

Thanks to all of your responses!! Especially to you Cindy C!! I didn't think I could laugh this hard so early in the am..I think you and I have the same goofy sense of humor! I'll do my best and see what the guy with the degree has to say..

Now, on a different subject. My rhuemy decided for me to try 90mg of Cymbalta to see if it would help my pain. I slept well till about 4am, where I woke up in such anxiety, HOLY SMOKES, I was ready to jump out of the bed if my body would have followed... Is anyone else on that high of a dose and does the anxiety settle down?

FROM HARA: My DR. is thinking about putting me up to 90mg of Cymbalta. I don't know what he's waiting for.

Posted 10/15/2010 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
rosesinjanuary, can you tell us more about your test and how/why youflunked it? I'm having the testing done in November - 8 hours is all myinsurnace will pay for.
Posted 10/20/2010 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
He would say I am going to say some words then you repeat what I said. For instance red wagon so I say red wagon then of course it got harder. there were tests to see if I could figure out patterns and sequences. he even used a deck of cards for something, I am quite sure you can google it and it should tell you in much better detail than I can. I felt terrible about flunking I certainly knew I flunkked before I read it or he told me. I still feel bad about losing my cognitive abilities, and I am continuously amazed at how some people are kind about repeating a number 20 times or slowing way down for me to write it down. And some are not nice at all. funny thing is my mind can at times be sharp almost like it used to be, maybe its a transitory symptom, like so many lyme symptoms it just comes and go. I felt horrible yesterday, went to lunch girl i know looks at me real loud and says ARE U ON DRUGs? my bf who was there too jumped in and said she doesn't feel very good. (not true it was a good day) I want to know what i was doing saying or looking like to make her think i was on drugs, (only drug neuronontin) whew,
Posted 10/30/2010 3:21 PM (GMT 0)

bwfm said...
Funny that you should mention that. I'm having that testing done in November. My disability hearing is Nov 4 and I went to see a lawyer yesterday who told me I probably didn't have a chance to win because my PCP wrote a letter to SS saying that I wasn't disabled (he doesn't believe in chronic pain or fibromyalgia). So I have to decide by tomorrow whether to drop my claim and then re-file later or go to the hearing and be turned down. Apparently I didn't understand what they wanted when I filed. They want 15 years of past working history and I thought they also wanted 15 years of past medical history, so I put down every doctor I had seen in the past 15 years. Then the lawyer told me yesterday they only want medical reports that are for around the time you file. Makes no sense to me, I've had this for 25 years and you'd think they would want to see the medical records reflect that. Anyway, my PCP (who I refuse to talk to anymore) has a wonder NP who treats me now and is sending me to have this neuropyshciatric testing done to see if my cognitive abilities have suffered (I know they have, but the 30-minute consult with THEIR psychologist showed "in his opinion" that I have nothing wrong with my cognitive abilities). The lawyer said he didn't think I should have this neuropsych testing done because they wouldn't put much stock in it; I told them, well, they put stock in what THEIR psychologist told them in one visit. He said it doesn't matter, we play by their rules. Anyway, I'm having the dang test because I want to see for myself how much I've lost mentally over the past few years. The lawyer asked me why did I think I didn't function well mentally. I told him that I used to be a very competent medical transcriptionist and I quit when I realized I wasn't anymore and that I didn't want to screw up anyone's medical report. So, I don't know what to do. I guess hubby and I will talk it over tonight and I'll tell the lawyer something tomorrow. I think I'm also going to make an appointment with a pain specialist since my rheumatologist doesn't know what to do with me anymore (he who says "most of my fibromyalgia patients do well just taking ibuprofen" - HA~). The problem is, I can't just fire my doctor or rheumagologist because there isn't that much choice in this area. The NP takes care of me and handles my pain pretty well, but apparently her opinion doesn't make a difference if the PCP thinks I can "be a productive member of society if" I choose to. Sometimes I really hate doctors.

Dear BWFM:    I would defintley make an appointment with the pain specialist and get the NP to help back you up with the lawyer and the SSDI she can help you more than the rehumy can. The more info that you have that you feel comfortable with push it on the lawyer, because he is the one working hard for you and if he is a good lawyer he will push that you get a doctor who believes in you! I won my disability in Sept 2009 after filing in April 2007 with lawyer help, i had a wonderful attorney!! Good Luck!!

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12