Neuropsychological Testing
 

Hi Friends,
I have been at Neuropsychological testing for five hours. My brain is fried. I feel like I have been tortured. They really know exactly the kind of things that irritate us and we can't do. I have to go back to finish it. My pain level got too high and we had to stop. I think I did good to make it for five hours. :eek:

She would not tell me anything. She said more testing is necessary and she has to go through all my medical records and everything before she gives her opinion. She seemed like she really knew what she was doing though and will be able to recommend the best treatment plan for me. I am hopeful. Very tired though. She also said she could tell I was really giving it my best effort and that will help a lot in finding the correct diagnosis and treatment for me. These people are really smart. I think she will be able to tell exactly what is going on with me. She at least understood far more than any doctor I have been to so far.
I am grateful. She was sensitive to the fact that I am in pain also.

Well, just wanted to tell you how it went. Their tests suck as far as they should be so easy and yet were so hard. My last nerve is gone. I gotta go to bed. Much love to you all. Hope you all had a decent day. I will talk to you all tomorrow.

Brain

Brain,

Sounds like you got a 1 in 100 NeuroPsychologist. Both of mine were ignorant jerks. The first had no idea why I struggles when the leaf blower was going full throttle just outside the window. The second tried to do some of the tests improperly. Both wrote reports in opposition to what the scores indicated.

Yours may be one who really understands brain injury. Many think the patient can 'think' their way out of their struggles. "Just try harder," they say.


Good for you.

Yeah I lucked out
 

Hi Mark,

Yeah, I really lucked out. For once. It's a miracle by the grace of god. This lady is great. She is real thorough. She had all kinds of CAT scans and things from different hospitals pulled up that I don't even remember having or being to. I was impressed. She sounds like she knows exactly how to get me on disability too if that is what she decides I need. She took copies of my denial's from social security and everything. She said she will even find help for my poor mom who has been the caretaker of me and my dad for so long now. She even made my mom see things in a totally different way from just the short amount of time she spent with her. I am so grateful.

Apparently, in the CAT scan I had right after my MVA that I have no memory of having it shows that I have had several mini strokes. That may be the reason the left side of my body is so much more affected huh? She did not say anything about my MRI other than it will be interesting to see what my doctor and neurologist make of it.

I am so blessed. You know my mom and dad's bishop paid for me to have this treatment and it is not cheap. Maybe I have misjudged the Mormon church. That was very generous. I feel kind of dumb and embarrassed about it. I guess I shouldn't but I am (I guess was) a proud person.

Brain

So happy that this step, while exhausting, seems to have been a positive step in your recovery process. I'm not a neurologist but from what I have studied you are most likely correct in that the mini strokes would account for your left side being more affected. The good news is that treatment for this is becoming more advanced all the time.

You have the right to feel proud, and one of the important lessons I learned in my recovery is that love, compassion, and the desire of others to help is still alive, and is a testament to the human spirit.

Hopefully the findings of the assessment help in the identification of specific therapies that will move you along in your recovery. That was my experience. The very best to you in this continued journey.

:hug:

Testing
 

I have to go have the 9 hour testing in two weeks. What should I expect? I am so worked up about it because of the anticipation of the test. It is hard because I have tried to "hide" my symptoms from family and friends so to appear normal. It is very exhausting.

What to expect at neuropsychological testing
 

Jmsarge,
I completely understand about trying to hide symptoms. Who wouldn't? Geez I feel like if I admitted to even half of the truth I would be locked up in the mental hospital. Besides I can't even explain a lot of it.
The Neuropsychological Testing was really tiring in the way that the tests are exactly the type of thing we have problems with and irritate your brain.
It was really great in the way that I found a place that completely understands this condition and knows the exact kind of treatment that will help you once they get all your results. I feel relieved in the way that I have someone who can explain to my family what has and is happening with me. I feel like I have support from knowledgeable people who can set me up with the next step I need to take and can even help me with my disability claim.
The lady told me you probably won't be able to go back to work but we can at least get you to functioning independently and having a life again.:D
That sounds great to me! I have to go back on the 11th for more testing.i made it through 5 hours of testing but my pain level just got too high to continue. I was also impressed that they were aware of this and we're careful not to push me beyond what I could take in one day.
I would highly recommend it. Don't be nervous. I was too but it turned out that there was nothing to be worried about. It was helpful and gave me hope.
Good luck to you. I have all of us in my prayers every night and hope we can all find a better quality of life. This is a step in the right direction.
Much love to all of you,
Brain

Wonderful news!

I know what you mean about fried brain. I took over a week to feel my usual miserable normal instead of even worse. It's now 12 days later and I'm kind of returning to a coping state. I had no idea pushing my brain would disable me like that but it was a good lesson to learn.

I love that the goodness of people got you this test, no matter what group of people the support came from. That's just the human spirit at work! Great stuff.

I agree with Mark. You got the 1/100 NP worth their salt. I didn't get as lucky, but then again mine was ordered by an organization trying to save money on my health.

Maybe someday all our suffering will not be for naught, perhaps if there is a scan invented to see what kinds of damage we've all lived with, and future generations may not encounter such hardships. Here's hoping...

Good to hear Brainpatch!
 

I had two of these and yes they are draining. I hope you finally get the help needed. I was just told that time will be the healer. It's been over a year and sleep issues and headaches are still big problems which probably increase decreased cognitive functioning. Don't be suprised if the report that follows indicates some psychological co-morbid interaction with your results. I thing most docs feel at the 6 month mark you should have resolved majority if not all of any effects from a "mild" tbi, that are strictly brain functions.

Was your test computer based or a series of flash cards and puzzles etc, administered by a person.

Psychological Testing
 

Jinga,
My testing was done by a person with puzzles, blocks, word remembering, drawing pictures. Talking about the accident and what happened after that. This MVA was in 2006. I am just now getting help from a Neuropsychologist and a neurologist. What do you mean about dont be surprised if they say some co morbid things in my report?
I have to go back on March 11th for more testing. Also, she is looking at all my past medical records. I had to fill out a lot of paperwork asking questions.
Thanks for the information,
Brain

It is nothing to worry about - just wait until the report comes. My test were similar as well. Did you take the 600+ question personality assessment?

Personality assessment
 

Yes I think I took the 600 question assessment. I answered so many questions it was crazy. I answered yes to everyone of them. Yes I talk less than I used to, yes I forget what I tell others etc. is this the one your talking about? Maybe I am in for the personality assessment on March 11th when I go back for more testing. I hope I don't have to do anymore remembering lists of words. It hurts my head. I don't know if I have a personality anymore! :)
Brain

Did you have somebody drive you or were you able to drive yourself to and from?

I do not drive anymore
 

I had someone drive me as I do not drive anymore but there would be no problem with you driving yourself if you currently drive. They do not give you any medications or anything. It just makes you tired from doing brain work. Like I said they know exactly the things that we have a hard time with.
My next appointment is on March 11th so I will let you know how that one goes.
Brain

I would see if you can get a ride. My test I fell a sleep on the ride home. test was about 5 hours

Test completed
 

Well, the neurpsych eval was on Tuesday. I am finally feeling less of the effects from the testing. It was with a person giving the test with cards, puzzles, and drawing. Forget about trying to remember, I had no such luck with the verbal memory. It was so exhausting taking the test. I hope not to have to take ever again.

Sarge,
Did they say anything to you about the results or what kind of treatment they recommend? I know it is exhausting. I hate trying to remember those lists of words. I forget them as soon as she says them. Do you have to go back again or what?
Thanks
Brain

No way I could have drove home after either one of my neuropsychological tests. Fatique, severe headache, dizziness, unable to concentrate.

I just received a copy of the report today. A little bitter sweet. Being validated is good, but a little hit of the reality of it all is hard. I am dealing with the very harsh reality and it stinks. All because of another person's bad decision! The treatment plan is still being developed. The doc wants the rest of my medical records to firm the treatment. He did recommend an intensive cognitive rehabilitative therapy. :(

I am not sure if I need to go back, just taking it one appointment at a time. Now it sounds like I am going to have a life long filled with appointments. My regular NP is also putting together a treatment plan for me that will include speech therapy, yoga and possibly more physical therapy.

jmsarge,

We all have some periods of life with these times of long lines of appointments and planning for appointments and dreading appointments, and proving our problems to others for this or that, due to their disbeliefs we actually have problems they don't see or refuse to see, even though their own I.M.E.'s have shown them the results.

Sadly, as another thread has shown, we are the ones that have to do all the work, and it will continue so, until some other group of super-stars have more going on with them to actually show more is "really" real, again.

Sorry, Im in one of my mood swings.

Best Wishes, and hold it together guy..

Had another Neuropsychological testing session
 

Hi Guys,
Hope you are all holding up. I had another seizure on March 7th and I hurt my neck bad. The pain traveled down my neck into my right side and my right arm was paralyzed when I woke up in the morning on the 11th. Don't worry it is not really paralyzed but it hurt to move all day. So when I went for the Neuropsychological testing on the 11th they did not want to do too much with me because I was already in so much pain. I did manage to get her to tell me that she sees the problem and will be helpful to me with my disability claim. She wants me to come back again before she will give me the report and recommendations for future treatment. I did manage to get a new disability claim filed. I will have to send her report in later. I go back to my regular doctor on Thursday so I guess I will find out what a 3mm area of brain getting no signals on my MRI means. I am sure nothing good. I am really thinking that I have the more serious post concussive encephalitis or whatever it is when your brain has sustained maximum blows. I have passed out and fell straight back on concrete like 8-9 times (supposedly due to hypoglycemia) and was hurt even before I took the killing blow in 2006 in the car accident. I have had my entire short and long term memory wiped. I don't know how I have survived to this point. I hope there is help for me guys. I am feeling really down.
Brain:grouphug:

I am sorry you are going threw so much:hug:I will pray for you and let's hope it is not as bad!Remember a higher power will not put you threw more then you can handle and you are blessed to still be able to fight these battles:circlelove: