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Seeing a Neuropsychologist..??
Last Friday I had a lumbar puncture done and then MRI of brain and cervical spine with and without contrast. I will know those results on the 25th.
When I saw the MS specialist in June she wanted me to see a neuropsychologist because I lost my train of thought several times during the appt. I also have problems now with doing math. This is a very disturbing thing for me since I used to be very good at algebra. Now I look at any math and it seems all foreign like I've never seen that stuff before. I also used to be excellent with spelling and now I look at words and they don't seem right or I go to write something and I skip letters completely. I've even misspelled my name many times. Also when someone says something to me I think of what to say but can't spit it out. These 3 problems came on at the same time(with last episode) and have stayed.
Anyone else struggle with those things and end up seeing a neuropsychologist? What does a neuropsych do? Also if anyone has had those problems did it ever get better? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
When I saw the MS specialist in June she wanted me to see a neuropsychologist because I lost my train of thought several times during the appt. I also have problems now with doing math. This is a very disturbing thing for me since I used to be very good at algebra. Now I look at any math and it seems all foreign like I've never seen that stuff before. I also used to be excellent with spelling and now I look at words and they don't seem right or I go to write something and I skip letters completely. I've even misspelled my name many times. Also when someone says something to me I think of what to say but can't spit it out. These 3 problems came on at the same time(with last episode) and have stayed.
Anyone else struggle with those things and end up seeing a neuropsychologist? What does a neuropsych do? Also if anyone has had those problems did it ever get better? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
It was a challenge (since Kyle brought this up) to get the neuropsych to see why I was concerned about being "normal." I used to be a Mensa member, for heaven's sake, and now I struggle to score "normal" on some of the basic stuff we usually expect all humans to waltz through. Making change, matching up shapes, words, colors, etc.
No, I don't have Alzheimer's -- at least he didn't think so at the time. Lost Mom to the early-onset form of it, so we're always alert to such issues in my family. It's just frustrating -- but you already know that. A good assessment can help tell where you are, but not where you've been. It probably doesn't tell much about where you're headed, until you have another one later to compare.
I can tell you that the folks on this forum will be here, cheering for you to get the straight scoop and a plan for dealing with whatever that turns out to be.
No, I don't have Alzheimer's -- at least he didn't think so at the time. Lost Mom to the early-onset form of it, so we're always alert to such issues in my family. It's just frustrating -- but you already know that. A good assessment can help tell where you are, but not where you've been. It probably doesn't tell much about where you're headed, until you have another one later to compare.
I can tell you that the folks on this forum will be here, cheering for you to get the straight scoop and a plan for dealing with whatever that turns out to be.
Hi TOH-
The assessment can be a bit humbling. I consider myself a reasonably bright guy, but found myself struggling with parts of it.
I was relieved to find out that there was no hole in my marble bag. When I went back for the results meeting with the neuropsychologist she said "The good news is your normal. The bad news is your normal." :-)
Don't sweat it. Having a cognition baseline is good.
Kyle
The assessment can be a bit humbling. I consider myself a reasonably bright guy, but found myself struggling with parts of it.
I was relieved to find out that there was no hole in my marble bag. When I went back for the results meeting with the neuropsychologist she said "The good news is your normal. The bad news is your normal." :-)
Don't sweat it. Having a cognition baseline is good.
Kyle
Thank you all for you responses. Its good to know I'm not alone in this stuff. I was really worried about seeing a neuropsych but if it is that helpful then it needs to happen. My appt is set up for august. I have a feeling I will get frustrated or feel stupid (happens more often then not). When the appt was made the lady told me it would take half the day for the assessment. I will post an update when I get all results :)
Hello,
Iv'e posted my Neuropsyholgical Evalution report in my pictures,
this is my number concern, I've gone thru the testing twice.
My working memory is damaged and really have a problem with simple math at times.
Once they confirm your issue it may help you move and lear to adapt.
here's a couple of great links
MS and cognition
http://www.msif.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2013/m/msinfocusissue22en.pdf
you can click no and take to MS in Focus
heres also the
Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: Early Detection and Management - The Impact of Cognitive Impairment in MS
from Projectsinknowledge.com
Cognitive impairment (CI) affects 43% to 70% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and contributes significantly to disability.
MS patients with CI are less involved in social and leisure activities, have difficulty performing routine daily tasks, and are at increased risk for psychiatric illness compared with patients who have physical disability only.
CI is a major contributor to the high rate of unemployment among individuals with MS, and increases the risk of poor psychosocial, physical, and overall health-related quality of life (QOL).
Cognitive domains most commonly affected in MS
Its a real concern for most of us, it goes beyond forgetting where you left the keys or forgetting someones name.
take care
JB
Iv'e posted my Neuropsyholgical Evalution report in my pictures,
this is my number concern, I've gone thru the testing twice.
My working memory is damaged and really have a problem with simple math at times.
Once they confirm your issue it may help you move and lear to adapt.
here's a couple of great links
MS and cognition
http://www.msif.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2013/m/msinfocusissue22en.pdf
you can click no and take to MS in Focus
heres also the
Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: Early Detection and Management - The Impact of Cognitive Impairment in MS
from Projectsinknowledge.com
Cognitive impairment (CI) affects 43% to 70% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and contributes significantly to disability.
MS patients with CI are less involved in social and leisure activities, have difficulty performing routine daily tasks, and are at increased risk for psychiatric illness compared with patients who have physical disability only.
CI is a major contributor to the high rate of unemployment among individuals with MS, and increases the risk of poor psychosocial, physical, and overall health-related quality of life (QOL).
Cognitive domains most commonly affected in MS
Its a real concern for most of us, it goes beyond forgetting where you left the keys or forgetting someones name.
take care
JB
I have the same kind of cognitive problems and find at least for me that they come and go. It pretty much depends on how I am doing with my MS at any given time.
The NeuroPsych testing is really a good thing to have done for several reasons. First it helps to document the problems you are having (In case you need it for disability) and helps support your claims of these types of problems as they don't always show up while at the doctors. Secondly it documents the problems with absolute numbers (response times) which can't be refuted by a doctor that thinks it is just stress or depression that is causing your problems.
My NeuroPsych test took about 5 hours. This is probably the best way to have the testing done because it shows the decline in your functioning due to fatigue.
The first hour is spent taking a detailed history so the doctor can determine exactly which tests he should do. The next three hours were spent testing me in a number of ways to determine what is going on in my brain as I try to remember thing, do things with my hands, etc. The final hour the doctor spent explaining the results to me and informing me of how to compensate for my cognitive problems. IE. Bring written notes to my doctor of the things I need checked out. (memory problems).
The type of problems that they doctor was able to determine with me include:
Right side of my body (I am right handed) is slower to respond than the left.
Right side fine motor control is worse than left.
My memory is intact, but I have trouble accessing it. I need a lot of clues in order to get to the memories.
The more difficult a problem is to solve the slower my brain is to be able to figure it out.
That the more fatigued I am the slower I process information.
Dennis
The NeuroPsych testing is really a good thing to have done for several reasons. First it helps to document the problems you are having (In case you need it for disability) and helps support your claims of these types of problems as they don't always show up while at the doctors. Secondly it documents the problems with absolute numbers (response times) which can't be refuted by a doctor that thinks it is just stress or depression that is causing your problems.
My NeuroPsych test took about 5 hours. This is probably the best way to have the testing done because it shows the decline in your functioning due to fatigue.
The first hour is spent taking a detailed history so the doctor can determine exactly which tests he should do. The next three hours were spent testing me in a number of ways to determine what is going on in my brain as I try to remember thing, do things with my hands, etc. The final hour the doctor spent explaining the results to me and informing me of how to compensate for my cognitive problems. IE. Bring written notes to my doctor of the things I need checked out. (memory problems).
The type of problems that they doctor was able to determine with me include:
Right side of my body (I am right handed) is slower to respond than the left.
Right side fine motor control is worse than left.
My memory is intact, but I have trouble accessing it. I need a lot of clues in order to get to the memories.
The more difficult a problem is to solve the slower my brain is to be able to figure it out.
That the more fatigued I am the slower I process information.
Dennis
The neuropsych exam is an excellent tool for evaluating cognitive function and establishing your baseline, especially if you might be looking to file for disability, my Neuro prefers to send his patients to speech therapists instead because they not only will do the testing in an abbreviated form, they will continue to work with the person to develop skills to compensate for cognitive deficits. I did that over several sessions and found it useful. He says the psych tests only give answers but doesn't supply how to make it better.
I think a neuropsych exam is a great idea. I have had cognitive issues and have had a neuropsych exam. Mine was spread over 5 appointments instead of all in one day and I was glad for that since I found it quite exhausting. The first appointment was to gather history, symptoms etc and the last appointment was to go over the results.
By the time I finally got my appointment my brain function had improved quite a bit but it still showed some of my biggest difficulties and can be used as a baseline if I become really stupid again :) At my worst, I had a hard time even doing something as simple as going to the grocery store for 1 thing or getting supper for my family. One of my major issues (that has improved but never gone away completely) is using the proper words for things (I usually get the first letter right though).
So in my case, my cognitive skills have improved some for now so hopefully yours may improve too. But I think it is probably an individual thing.
Good luck,
Laura
By the time I finally got my appointment my brain function had improved quite a bit but it still showed some of my biggest difficulties and can be used as a baseline if I become really stupid again :) At my worst, I had a hard time even doing something as simple as going to the grocery store for 1 thing or getting supper for my family. One of my major issues (that has improved but never gone away completely) is using the proper words for things (I usually get the first letter right though).
So in my case, my cognitive skills have improved some for now so hopefully yours may improve too. But I think it is probably an individual thing.
Good luck,
Laura
My neuropsych eval told me I wasn't imagining any of the symptoms that couldn't always be found in an office exam. It told me I wasn't off my rocker, in other words. It also told the other docs on my team the same thing about me. It showed how certain functions of the brain had been impacted by something, and in that particular neuropsych's opinion, my case suggested a demyelinating process as the likely culprit. I had a nice long chat with the man after I'd read and reread his report; he was very helpful.
Hi there, I have similar issues with words and spelling and am currently waiting for a neuropsych evaluation.
As Sarah stated ittakes close to a full day but is supposed to be quite helpful.
Good luck and let us know how you make out. We only have 1 neuropsych where I live and I have been waiting over 2 months but I think it will be a lot longer until I get an appointment.
Corrie
As Sarah stated ittakes close to a full day but is supposed to be quite helpful.
Good luck and let us know how you make out. We only have 1 neuropsych where I live and I have been waiting over 2 months but I think it will be a lot longer until I get an appointment.
Corrie
from what I have read, they will test you to see how far your cognitive ability has strayed among other things. It is a long test, as I understand it, but will tell them and you a lot.
Let us know how you did and good luck!
Let us know how you did and good luck!
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