Cognitive Testing
 

I finally went for that cognitive evaluation (that takes hours!) that my MS doctor has been bugging me to take. I know it is different for everyone, but I really wanted to do it in just one visit. I guess some people can only take so much of the test before they max out. They have to come back another day to finish. I just wanted to do it and get it done.

It ended up taking five hours for me. Parts of the test were kind of fun. Other parts are really frustrating, but the doctor (Neuro Psyciatrist, no less) who gave me the test was very sweet and supportive. She sat across the table from me for the whole test, and explained each test section patiently. She read me all the questions and made note of my answers. All I had to do was sit there and follow her instructions and answer what questions I could. It’ll be a few weeks before I get any results. I’ll let you all know when I know more.

Anybody else take these tests? Did you learn anything interesting as a result?

I took the neuro-psych tests 4 years ago when I received my "possible MS" dx. I became so agitated at first that I ran out of the clinic in tears. I pulled myself together and came back to finish the tests. As I recall, I think it took me about 4 or 5 hours as well.

The results for me showed no obvious loss of cognitive function or abilities and the conclusion stated that although signs of active MS were not apparent, they recommended follow-up on the outside chance that the tests represented my status in remission.

I now have my definite MS dx and I'm scheduled for another round of tests right after Labor Day. I'm curious about what changes may show up and I'm glad I have the old results as a baseline.

Good luck with yours, and I hope the results are at least a little bit fascinating. Maybe we can compare notes in a few weeks!

:) I am not sure exploring my mind is a safe vocation!

I had Neuro-Psych testing a couple of weeks ago but I do not have an appointment for a review of results until next month. I had 2 appointments, the first one was a one hour evaluation and the second was 4 hours of testing.

I had neuropsych testing done several years ago, not long after my dx. There were tests for manual dexterity, which were slightly bothersome, and repetitive motions, which drove me INSANE! I was fine with the "what-if" scenarios to test logic, and the list memorization was ok even though I knew I could have done way better before dx. I got really baffled on the spatial tasks. There were these puzzle type things that you had to build with different shaped blocks, and I just couldn't do it.

The overall results didn't really show me anything I didn't already know, but it validated my feeling that certain areas were slipping as it showed some deficits. I was surprised during the test at how frustrated and upset I got during the repetitive motion test. It made me want to scream! And I hadn't realized how bad the spatial reasoning deficit was. Now I know why I have such a hard time loading the dishwasher!

I did this as part of some ADHD testing right after my first MS symptom and right before my tentative diagnosis. Mine showed very good scores in everything except "processing speed index". It was tempting to blame the low processing speed on the lesions in my corpus callosum, but I remember taking the ASVAB test as a high school senior, and I scored very low on their "coding" test, which measures something similar to the WAIS Processing Speed test. So I suspect the low processing speed is more the way my brain is wired than anything the MS caused.

As for the testing, I loved it. I have always loved mental challenges, brain teasers, logic puzzles, etc. So I thoroughly enjoyed the testing, and enjoyed the process of going through the different types of tests. The only test I hated was one where they put me in front of a computer screen flashing up different numbers and symbols one at a time and I had to click the mouse every time I saw a certain number show up. It was designed to measure your attentiveness and attention span, and I think I flunked it.

Had it done a year ago...took about 3-4 hours. Parts had me in tears...

the results were depressing: lost 14 points on my IQ, in memory, organization, and mainly processing.

My neuro suggested after going over the results with me to apply for SSDI...I received it after first being denied...

In the over 45 years with MS, I have never, to my knowledge had a cognitive test. At least I never received a report on the results of one.....Wait a min, maybe I forget..:D

To tell you the truth, I don't think I'd want one.:eek: MS and aging is quite enough for me, TYVM, I wouldn't want to know if I was loosing any of my brainpower.

I read, I do puzzles and play other word games, to keep my brain working. So far, so good.:)

I am so so sorry that some of you are suffering eye problems and cog fog. :grouphug:

Hiya Sally :)

This was the first time I have had Neuro-Psych testing...in 26 years of MS. The reason for testing started due to some very profound cognitive/memory/behavioral changes to the point my husband was researching Alzhiemers :eek:

I had been on a Statin (high cholestrol) for approximately a year and a half. It was the statin that was causing those profound changes. I went off the statin a couple of months ago and have seen quite a bit of improvement but I wanted to follow through with the NeuroPsych testing.

When I went in for testing the NeuroPsych told me he had an associate contact him the other day about a patient of hers who had been on a Statin and had memory/cognitive problems related to taking statins. He had said there is starting to be quite a bit of medical information and articles as to statins causing memory/cognitive problems.

My NeuroPsych said he would be doing a research paper about statins and memory.

Part of my descision to stop taking the statin was from searching for information about statins and I had also looked for information here at NT. MrsD had an older thread about Statins that was quite helpful. Between what I was reading on the internet combined with information MrsD had posted I finally decided to get off the statin and see what would happen...I am so thankful I did.

Me neither Sal. I just had my 34th anniversary of being diagnosed... happy birthday to me :D .... but I haven't had any type of psych evaluation/cognitive testing in all that time.

I'm wondering if this should be one of those tests they give a newly diagnosed MSer so there's a baseline for later. Might be helpful to have before and after scores if SSDI is sought at some stage in the future.

One of the things the statins do is cause reductions in the natural levels of coenzyme Q-10. Most folks on statins would do well to take a Co-Q10 supplement to minimize that effect.

Hi TXBatman,

Taking a statin took my mobility, my strength, my mind, my memory, extremely increased my fatigue and I lost my ability to drive...this medication took away my ability to have ANY kind of life. Suicide was becoming an very real option.

No supplement would have changed that :(

The only option I had was to stop taking it.

I should add: I was taking Q10 when I was using the statin and I still use Q10.

Wow Snoops, that is very important info to have!!!! I am so happy that you are no longer on this statin and your awful side effects have diminished.

I had already heard that statins could cause muscle weakness but not cog fog.:mad:

:hug:

I have tried various statins, and get that awful muscle effect from many of them...so I am on two mild drugs, one of them zetia which works in the intestines...I also take CoQ10 as directed...but I have been on these drugs for many years and have only had severe cognitive difficulties the last 3-4 years...
It would be very dangerous for me not to be on anti cholesterol drugs, due to very high numbers and a family history of heart disease...

There is some information out about statins and memory loss/cognitive problems. The NeuroPsych I saw said there will be more as, in his profession, more and more cases are being seen...with and without MS.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...art-medication

This is a thread from the medication forum and I agree with MrsD...statins are not safe.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread144284.html

One would think that would be valuable data, Koala, but it seems to be relatively rare. I went on my own and requested the testing, it was never ordered by any doctor. I just felt lucky there was a neuropsych nearby and I didn't have to go far for testing. I think at the time she was the only one in the state.

My neuro explained to me that she recommends against neuropsych testing until it is needed for something like a disability hearing, because the test results can also be used against you in some cases. She said it is better not to do until you need it to tell you something.

I had cognitive testing about two years ago when I started having more trouble at work with forgetting things. The results showed no significant change, other than what was expected for someone of my age with MS. Not terribly helpful information. I did get to have some cognitive training--basically just learning some helpful techniques. I'm not really much better off than I was and I'm going to ask my neuro if I can redo the tests this soon. Just in case I need to apply for SDDI.

Good luck with your tests.

Marion,

I was ordered to take a full neuropsychological evaluation by a second opinion neurologist. The full test was exhausting and lasted a full seven hours with two bathroom breaks and 30 minute lunch.

The bottom line when I asked the doctor how I did, she responded with, "Well you did very well for a 76 year old." That sucked because I was 51 years old when I took the test. She followed up by saying that should be a good representation of where you really are an what you're dealing with right now.

I still have a copy of her full report and it is not flattering in any way. At the same time there was a huge sigh of relief and vindication that I was not going crazy and it was all in my head. (No pun intended.)

It is now six years later and I'm still hanging in there, albeit challenged more and more each day. Life goes on.

I don’t get my results until next Wednesday, but if that test were intended to determine what sort of career I might flourish in, I doubt their recommendation would be “Sketch Artist.” Even I could see that the patterns I copied didn’t turn out anything similar to the original.

I'll keep you all advised. :)

Patterns? What patterns? By the time we reached the last attempt to draw from memory the original picture, I could only come up with ONE, that's (1) line. That's it. Trust me, the whole thing sucked with the quality of a Dyson Vacuum.

Is this test now required to apply for SSDI? just wondering.

No, but when other criteria has failed, then having a negative psych test can be the silver bullit for getting SSDI..:hug:

I just thought I'd check in with an interim follow-up - I completed my second neuro-psych testing last Thursday and it kicked my butt. Not necessarily the test per se, but the drive to get there...downtown Austin at 8:00 a.m. I honestly think neuro facilities should be required to have satellite offices in every section of town and none of them should be allowed to make appointments that begin or end at rush hour! Is part of the test just GETTING THERE INTACT and not hurting anyone else in the process???

As for the test, I was reassured by the young lady administering the ordeal that the tests are designed to max out your ability to complete them accurately. It actually did make me feel a bit better.

I hope your results come in soon and are positive.

I had my appointment with the Neuro Psychologist for the results of the cognitive testing. It was actually kind of anticlimactic. I got all hi-average grades in most areas that involved the ability to verbally communicate. I got a grade of average for most of the mathematical parts, and I got low-average on graphical/spacial problems like drawing complex patterns from memory.

So now we have a base-line that they will use to measure my future failings.

Whoopie!

:Zzzz: :Zzzz::Zzzz: