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Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho
Neuro Psych Assessments can vary widely in cost and time. Some NPA's are only a hour or two. Others are 8 to 16 hours over a few days. A minimal NPA will cost about $800 or more. They can cost $4000 or more. The reports are usually completed over the next month. A very abbreviated NPA may have results sooner.
You insurance company will likely baulk at approving such expensive testing. They will likely want a more definitive reason for the referral. Your doctor should be able to perform an MMSE (Mini Mental Status Exam) in her office to get a basic understanding of your functions.
Interesting use of buspar. I have never heard of buspar or other anti-anxiety drugs being used to relieve anxiety caused by sound triggers. For most of us, reducing the sound exposure is the solution.
Regarding your struggles to focus, what have you tried to help with focus ? have you tried reducing background sounds ? Have you tried using headphones to watch TV or computer videos ? I doubt an NPA will be effective at identifying your focus issues. I've had 3 NPA's and discussed focus issues with the psychologist. Most are clueless about PCS caused focus issues. One even commented negatively in his report about my complaints trying to focus because of visual and auditory distractions. He made it sound like it was all made up or 'in my head.'
Your insurance company may be willing to pay for an MMSE. Neuros, psychologists and others can do them. You might benefit from inquiring about doctors who have expertise with PCS and MMSE testing.
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A good bit of my noise anxiety is anticipatory, in addition to the acute problems when the noise is right then and there. So the buspar is trying to lower my general anxiety level. I have Ativan for panic attacks that may arise as a result of loud situations.
That's interesting to know about the evaluation. I have not had a chance to make any phone calls today so I don't know what anyone might say. Would I be smart to talk to my therapist? Is that a hoop that insurance may want me to jump through? Or, forgetting the evaluation, would she be able to conduct that MMSE test as well? Or any other tests that may be a good idea? I don't think I'm in horrible shape. I wouldn't anticipate being evaluated and told that I've lost the capability to do 20 different things, or whatever. But I do know that I'm not the same as I was hitting and I'd be interested in knowing how different I don't am and if it's permanent.
Regarding the focusing I haven't tried headphones or anything. I don't know how well they'll work. My problem isn't so much getting distracted by what's happening in the room with me it's being distracted in my own head. I can't stay on topic. Even writing this I started to drift off and had to think about what I was writing again. If I'm reading a book suddenly my mind starts wandering to 10 other things and I find I can no longer focus.
Ok in thinking guess it is a little situational. I'll be watching TV or a movie and then suddenly I just have to check my email. Or get up and do something. I don't know how best to explain it. But my mind is just not there anymore and that's not how I used to be. I just got stuck writing this paragraph. It's frustrating.
In fact I feel almost a little foggy after writing this. Not much, and I'm more ****** and I can feel my heart rate a little elevated. Somethings not right.