Turned upside down, brains shaken out (neuro-psych exam!)

[jensequitur]

Well, folks, I've been through the neuro-psych exam, and it was definitely a workout.  It took six hours total, not including lunch.

We started with a simple IQ test.  The doc asked if I had been tested before, and I said yes.  I've had two IQ tests, one official one when I was twelve, and one online (Tickle) test when I was 34 or so, so she has a number to look at.  (It's somewhere between 128 and 134...)  Then we had a cognitive test where i was asked to look at pictures, and tell her what was missing.  Surprisingly difficult.  

Much of the testing was tailored for Alzheimer's patients, who have severe cognitive problems.  There were very simple tests like describing the contents of a picture, or defining words and proper nouns.  

The hardest though was remembering strings of numbers and repeating them back.  I did all right with the 6 and 7 number string, but when we got to 8 or more, my brain would just drop the information.  Kinda like trying to pick up a piece of ice cream that's dropped on your lap - it melts before you can get it.  We had number strings, then letter and number strings, then I had to repeat number strings in reverse - that was really hard.  

Problem-solving was also tested.  We had a wooden board with three colored beads on it, and I had to replicate the patterns she set up with the beads, with certain specific rules.  A couple of them felt to me like my brain just wasn't working - I couldn't figure out the solution fast enough to suit me.  We had a test where I was supposed to assemble colored blocks to look like the image in front of me - that was hard too.  The maze testing was hard too - those mazes are a lot more complicated than the ones on the kid's menus!

I'm not sure how I did.  I know that more than once, I just couldn't remember what she had said.  More than twice!  I feel like there's a lot of stuff that was more difficult than it should have been.  

We have the follow up exam on August 4th, so I'll find out what's going on with my noggin.

I tell you, man, I was whipped after those six hours.  I got home, and laid down on the couch until I felt a little better.  Then I sat up and had one of those weird seizure things I talked about in the other thread - yeep!  Then I laid back down, then I got up and made a salad.  Lots of almonds and chicken and fresh vegetables.  Then I laid back down!

[sllowe]

Thanks for detailing your appt. with us Jens.  Sounds like something we all should have, and establish a good baseline.  

I sure know I feel dumb, but have no "real" proof. . .lol

-Shelly

[jensequitur]

I forgot to mention they gave me an MMPI-2 too - I guess to rule out depression, anxiety, and hypochondria.  

If you've got any sort of brains at all, you can pick out the questions they put to find if you're psychotic or a klepto, or a sexual deviant.  I hear it's moderately effective, but not entirely reliable.

[jensequitur]

I had one battery of tests dedicated to language, but it was a test designed for Alzheimer's patients - not very in-depth or subtle.  I was asked to identify the object in the picture, for example.  I wasn't graded on how long it took me to come up with the name of the object, just the ability to name it.  I was also asked to define words, like 'compassion.'  

As far as I can tell, it was the entire battery of tests - not just a few designated for memory or attention, but the whole shebang.  My psych lady said (and I agreed with her) that we needed to do the whole thing first, and then when we did further testing in a few years, we could decide whether to do the whole thing again, or just the areas that showed deficiencies.

Rena, I'm sure that the problems with your language is due to MS - it's so common.  I recommend getting a neuro-psych exam for everybody who has MS, whether it's the so-called benign variety, or the more progressive kind.  I hear that people with mild MS often have hidden problems with cognitive impairment.

As for past results on an IQ test, I'm not sure how important that is.  The battery of tests will tell you how 'old' your brain is.  The IQ test will tell me if my brain has gotten any dumber since the last time I took a test, but the important tests are really the cognitive stuff, not the IQ.

[Rena705]

Oh yeah...I forgot to tell you that I have had experiences with seizures as well, both Grand Mal and partial and you need to tell your Neuro about this right away.  This is for your safety and well being ok?

Rena

[Rena705]

I have mentioned this to Quix and she said that my lying gp is way off and I respect that.  My lying gp wants me to have this neuropsych consult to (in her words) try to see if the problem with my language is due to damage done in the past by my MS...she is talking like 1993!!!  Now I know that is b.s. and that my gp is talking out the side of her mouth to save her face but were you given any tests for your speech abilities or just for what you felt you were having problems with?  Also, if you don't have any idea what a past I.Q. test results are, how can they figure out if you have a decline in any of your faculties?  Any idea?  This is all very intriguing and yet a little nerve wracking for me as well and I am so glad that you did this so that you can pass on your experiences for the rest of us.  Thanks so much Jen!

Lots of hugs,

Rena

[jensequitur]

Yup, it's the test to measure cognitive impairment.  It included math skills, attention skills, problem-solving, word recognition, and a bunch of other stuff which I'm sure I'll remember later... oh yeah, memory! ;-)

This test is good if you suspect that you've suffered a bit of cognitive impairment, as it will show the extent of the problems, and in which areas.  I took it because I feel like my brain doesn't work as well as it used to.  What I told the neuro is that I wanted 'a baseline for future progression.'  Which is also true, but not as true as feeling like my brain has turned to mush.

I recommend it for anyone who has experienced a decline in their ability to function.  If you're employed and there's the possibility that you might have to go on disability, you're going to need it to show to your employers.  If you're not employed, you'll have to show it to the SSDI people, at least.

Math was never my best subject either.  We had a section dedicated to mathematics, and we started with 'What is 4 plus 5?"  Not too bad, but then we had questions about higher function mathmatics, like averages and percentages, and I'm not too good at doing that stuff in my head.  Even less so now.

My major deficiencies (according to me!) are problem-solving, attention, and short-term memory.  But we'll see what the test shows.  I'm actually a little eager to find out how it went.

[santana8]

What is this test for?  Is it to check to see how much cognitive damage a person has?  Was there any math problems on it?  I know I would fail that one, since  I have seemed to have lost my quick ability to figure simple numbers since the attack two years ago.   Truthfully, math was never my best subject, but I had done complex equtions, Algebra ect... in college with hardly any problems, but now it seems that I struggle to add up my bills, help my 7 year old with math homework and so on............  Also, concentration is not good, along with problems holding thoughts in my head or problem solving.

I seem to have more difficulty thinking now when I am stressed out or mad, does anyone else have it more under these circumstances too!!  I have to get in a quiet place and most of the time completely alone to be able to concentrate now, this is not how I used to be. Before my mind was very sharp and I was very good at multitasking, not anymore!!!!!

What are the benefits of having this test done?

~Santana~