I traveled from Charlottetown PEI to Halifax NS last month to meet with a neuro-surgeon to see if it was time I had DBS. Without going into great detail, my increases in tremors, dyskenesia and dystonia make me a candidate, though I’m only 44 and going into my 7th year of PD. The last week of Oct. I’m to spend 6 hours with a neuropsychologist. What exactly is it that they do re: assessing me for DBS? I’m supposed to meet with those folks 9am – 3pm and immediately after admit myself to hospital for a drug holiday, whereby they will stop my drugs reintroducing them the next day. I’m thinking of going to Halifax the night before the psych. appointment, but even with that precaution I think I’ll be more Parkinsonian than ever. Puts me in an odd head space wondering what shape I’ll be in and wondering what they want to do with me. I’m usually pretty easy going but am getting less fond of surprises as my PD journey continues. Guy

In my opinion, they owe you all the reassurace and information you need and ask for. They probably know the effect of stress and/or anxiety on PD symptoms, and you can inform them if they don't. I suggest phoning until you find someone with the straight story.

Sorry no one has answered this before. Charlie's probably busy with his family. Anyone else know about this kind of DBS preparation?

Best of luck, Guy,

Jaye

Everyone having this surgery at Presby in Dallas goes through this testing now. Kevin had about 4 hours with a Neuropsychiatrist. They will not do DBS if there are any indications of dementia. I think this is an important step in selecting DBS candidates. The odds are there is no reason you will not qualify but it's good to make certain you are mentally fit for the process. By the way it's nothing to be nervous about!
Gayle

Thanks, I will make that call -- the girl I spoke to rattled off some much information at lightening speed and I was caught a bit off guard. And the testing angle makes sense though I do hope they don't confuse my better living though chemistry with signs of dementia - just kidding, to a degree. My mind works pretty much as it always did but PD drugs do slow me down. Guy

Hi Guy,

Before my DBS I went through 3-4 hours of psych tests. There were three tests that I recall.

1. Number sequences. He would give a four digit number that I would have to repeat, ie. 1-4-5-6. He then increased the digits till there were 7 or 8 digits. Being an accountant and working with numbers that was easy. Then he started over and I had to repeat in reverse order. My 23 year old son was in the room and I could tell by his reaction I was missing some of these. He later told me I was inserting extra 1’s.

2. Word memory. He would say 10 words and I would have to repeat as many as I could remember. He would repeat them until I got all 10.

3. Flash cards. He had a deck of cards with pictures, shapes, and colors. He would show four cards and I would have to tell him what the next card in the sequence would be. This was the hardest for me and took me a long time. After he said I was making it harder than it was and I soon figured it out.

Good luck in your tests and the DBS.

Dale

they make sure you are not crazy or have any severe mental deficits. The only tricky part was remembering the 3 words (Chevrolet, yellow and......I forgot!)that they ask you to remember at the beginning of testing. Don'tt memorize my words, yours will probably be hockey, maple, and eh....LOL

Charlie

Thanks DaleD and chasmo; both answers made me laugh and let me relax about said concerns. I've been numerically dyslexic life long. I could hop on a #95 bus reading it as #65 if both were on the same route - it's one of the reasons I'm never been employed in finance. And I'll get back to you on the Canuk references - we should take bets on where the test materials are printed. The color or colour is usuallly my first clue. ++Great help. Guy