Would You See a Neuropsychologist?

[Sarahsmom46]

Has anyone on the forum been to see a neuropsychologist?  What was that experience like?  Who usually makes these recommendations? Was it worthwhile to go or not? I'm asking because the rehab medicine doctor recommended it to me at my discharge and gave me an explanation that took some of the "what do they think I'm crazy" feelings away, but still the stigma of going to any psychologist is palpable even in his day in time.  I'm just wondering if this is worth the time off from work.  

Julie (Sarahsmom46)

[Sarahsmom46]

Thanks for your "2 cents worth".  I have finally made a decision to go ahead and do it.  The responses from the other members really made sense and I can see the value in having a baseline.  I am happy to hear that your sister had a good progress report.  Those are the kinds of things that help us keep track and may be a measure of control over what is happening.  That is very good news.  Thanks for sharing.

Julie

[pennst8r]

I have not had a neuropsych, but at least one of my sisters who has MS has them every so many years to monitor progression. It was part of a study she is in @ Penn State (ooooo, my favorite!). They sent her a report so she could see the difference between the one she had (I think) 5 years ago. She was surprised to see that with the Tysabri she actually gained a tiny bit of ground, rather than losing more!!!!!!!

I absolutely would have one done - even though my sister was mentally wiped out afterward.

I know I'm behind in the conversation, but wanted to put my 2 cents in anyway:)

Penn

[jensequitur]

Yup, well worth it.  I recommend it to everybody with MS, just in case...

[Sarahsmom46]

I read Jens post and look forward to hearing what she will learn from her wrap up appointment.  The rehab doctor recommended and even gave me the card for this particular doctor.  I will see him after the neuro on Monday and know he will ask if I followed through.  I am thankful to the our the group for sharing their experiences as it helped me decide to go ahead and make the appointment.  Now when the doc asks about it I can tell him I have an appointment.  :)

Julie (Sarahsmom46)

[Quixotic1]

Absolutely I would.  In fact I'm planning on it.  Neuropsych is soooo different from "Seeing a Psych."  They can measure the different functions of cognitive thinking, sort out whether it is like that symptoms are causing or a result of depresssion or anxiety, and point toward specific rehab for improving function.

I often recommend them to others here and many have been through it.  Jensequiter just finished a eval and posted about it.

quix

[Freespirit24]

I saw a Neuropsychologist when i had a brain injury in Australia. They did hours and hours and hours of testing. They can tell your IQ from before your brain injury even.
The results will tell you exactly where in your brain the problem is and what it is.

So if you need help they know what kind of help like do you need speech therapy, occupational therapy etc. it is not to do with are you mentally ill it is more to do with finding areas of the brain that are damaged and what these areas affect.

Hope this helped

Hugs

sarah

[brandisnif4]

I am having one done sept 2nd. They called it a neuro psych battery, and said it would last about 2 hours.  I love my new neuro. She is very well respected around her and is the head of the ms clinic so I trust her.I think she thought my old neuro was a nut. I told her about some of the things he said to me and she shook her head and said don't worry,we are going to take care of you and get yousome relief!

[Sarahsmom46]

I would love to hear what happens.  Can you let me know how it turns out?  That is next week, right?

[Sarahsmom46]

You are up in Canada, eh?  :)  Is it really that hard to get another GP?  I used to be envious of the health care system you have up there because even if you have problems, at least everyone has access if they need it.   Is this really true?  I have a friend who lives in Saint John's, where in fact my son is vacationing right now, who felt so sorry for me when I was in the hospital last month.  Why, you may ask?  Because when I got out I would have a mountain of bills to pay.  She, on the other hand, had to spend like 2 months in the hospital for a serious medical issue and when she walked out of the hospital, she didn't owe a thing.  So, is it possible for you to get another doctor or do you guys get stuck with people and can't change?  

Julie

[Sarahsmom46]

That sounds like good advice to "go for it".  I will make sure my insurance company will cover it as I have such a mountain of hospital and doctor bills when I got sick that I don't need any more unexpected bills right now.  But, i can see the value of this testing.  Knowing in advance if you are having problems will help with planning.  Thanks for the great advice.  If insurance covers it, then I don't see a reason for not following through.  

Julie

[nikki861]

I am scheduled for an appt on the 23 of this month. Dont really know what to expect.

[Heartshome]

My neuro suggested one for me. I had no idea what they were and since he was such a jerk, I figured he thought I was nuts. I was going to go anyway, but found out my insurance didn't cover them and they are very expensive.

Now I know more, I wish I'd done it. I believe that they are one or two days full of testing to determine where you are regarding memory, executive function, language, mathmatical reasoning, comprehension, etc.

I say "go for it", since it will give you a baseline for the future.

[Rena705]

I believe that luverofrogs had a neuropsych consult and I am supposed to have one but have not heard anything from the hospital yet (which is not surprising when you have a gp like mine).  I can suggest that you go up to the search engine in the right hand corner and type in Neuropsych consult and there are a few answers there to start with ok?

Lots of Hugs,

Rena