[froglady]

MY neuro has refered me to a neuropsychologist and I wonder what to expect? He says they can find out more about my PCS, which today my eeg did show some mild problems. I am willing to go if it will help me to find out what to do and hopefully find out if I am going to be the way I am forever. At this point 7 months after the wreck that caused all my memory loss and other various problems, I have lots of questions and want the help bad enough to go to yet another doc.
I don't like the idea of testing my memory etc to find out but guess it is maybe the only way to find out where my brain went! ??? Gaye

[pono]

I was referred to NeuroPsych ... my appointment is scheduled for Monday next week.
I'm not sure what to expect....

I also had concerns about being "tested" in these ways but wish I had gone when I was first referred last spring, after (another) TBI in winter generated more severe cognitive and other persistant compromising affects .

I 've had few more concussions since. If I had been tested earlier perhaps more could've have been done, or at least some documentation of my brain for comparison of if/how the subsequent injuries have affected me (esp. since I've continued to have additional head injuries...mostly from falls.)

Each injury does seem to have consequences. Since my last concussion [from fall down 14 stairs w/ 5 minutes of unconciousness] a few weeks ago, I've had horrible insomnia, more cognitive problems, emotional volitility, and other problems.
Constant headaches and other chronic pain exaccerbated. I've had for years . Began when I was hit by car as pedestrian 12 years ago, but got much worse when I was struck in head by wheelchair lift last Dec. It was after that accident that "new" issues--cognitive, emotional, etc. emerged & persisted So I was referred to NeuroPsych. but missed scheduled appt.

When I thought I was getting better didn't think I needed to go... but now since these other injuries, and persisting & worsening problems, will go..... and see what NeuroPsych & tests may reveal

I will update & share more...

Wishing all the Best....

[Nancy F]

The neuropsychology appointments that my son and I had were the most helpful. If they are well educated about post concussion syndrome, they know how much it affects and challenges your everyday life and they can help you plan your goals and expectations to allow for you to heal or just live the best quality existance at that time. They help you understand your emotions or symptoms that you are having. They can also help communicate to others in your life what your needs are. Our neuropschologist wrote a 5 to 6 page assessment and care plan that I gave to all my sons teachers that helped them know what they could expect for the next few months and a plan of care that they could understand. In short they can be a great advocate. I hope you both have a good experience and it is helpful.
Nancy

[froglady]

Thanks Nancy and Pono, I am still considering going but told them today at the Neuro's office to let me think about it for a while and maybe wait a month more. It has only been 7 mo so maybe a little time is in order. I do continue to have problems yet now I know for sure that I have mild brain damaadge and hubby will be more supportive...I think. I am so very tired and facing yet another doc is just the pits to me!

Pono, so sorry you have had so many falls and I hope the Neuro Psych will help you greatly. I too don't understand what they are all about or what tests and I KNOW I hate paper work or answering questions. UGH!

Nancy, I am so glad for you that the doc was so helpful for your Son. I need to read about him again...memory slides away from me so much but I am sure his was an injury. Will go back and read more.
I would like to meet someone who could understand my frustration and problems, especially since I am 65. One of my biggest frustrations is having people my age tell me that THEY do that too...NO THEY DON'T! What I had age related and what I have NOW are 2 different things. So I will go if this hangs on a while longer or gets worse.

Thanks Yall, Gaye

[Polly]

Finally after 3 years I was sent to a Neuropsychologist. After speaking to him for only a few minuets I almost cried tears of relief. He knew all the symptoms at the initial interview without me having to tell him ( I hate explaining myself). The testing is tiring and is usually done in two day sessions with breaks. I learned a lot about how bad things were but it was good to know and after the initial shock I could actually start to build a new life or as he said, "Write a new book, book one is over." Same thing from the Nueropsch. that the insurance company sent me to. These Drs. can help a person regain a sense of "normal". That's a joke I guess because what is normal?

I hope the appointment(s) help you.

Polly/Donna

[froglady]

Thanks Donna for telling me this. I would dread the testing but how wonderful to be able to talk to someone that already knows. I too get tired of trying to explain myself, it is just so hard to do.
I have also struggled with what "normal" is for some years. Mine was from jerking arms, head, legs, etc from my C-spine. Got it repaired. Now I have a different kind of what is normal supposed to be problem. Oh well, life is still good, just a little strange. LOL Gaye

[love2laugh]

Hi....
I haven't read the other replies, so forgive me if this is redundant, lol.

I do not have a Brain Injury or Concussion syndrome, but I have epilepsy and my neurologist was noticing some cognitive issues; and I had never had any Neuro Pysch testing done so he referred me to a Neuro Psych for testing and such.

I had several sessions with the Neuro Psychologist-- the first was an initial interview; then was the actual neuro psych testing, and finally the results session.

To the poster who is dreading the testing, I actually found it very interesting. The testing tests cognitive abilities, memory ---and specific types, IQ, other details of the way your brain functions, shows your strengths and weakness. Neuro Psych testing can also uncover any type of learning disabilities, cognitive issues, and other things. Then, the neuro pysch---at your results session, can help you find ways to deal with them, improve your skills, and other really helpful stuff.

My neuro psych testing revealed an uncommon learning disabilty; that I had trouble with certain types of memory, that I was really good at other things; along with the IQ. Some of the results were difficult to hear, but it helped me and my doctors understand how my brain functions which in turn helps them understand why i do the things I do and how to better help and communicate with me. Also, since it discovered the learning disabilty, I was able to get certain accomodations in college so I wouldn't feel so frustrated and they really helped in my learning as well.


As for the actual testing, like I mentioned earlier I found it very interesting. The majority of it is not pen and paper. You do activities and are acuallu interacting with the technician (or whomever is preforming it). Some of the things I did was putting together puzzles, drawing things, building and copying patterns with blocks, recognizing patters, reading comprehension, some arithmatic activies and much more. So in many ways it was neat--- I got really frustrated at times when I couldnt do something (that I was asked to), but all in all it was not a bad experience at all.

How long the testing is varies on what the neuro psych orders, which depends on the person. My neuro psych did the complete batter of tests and it took me about 13 hours. Since I get tired easily and 4 hours a day was about all I can handle --which I told the psych, I did the testing over a period of 3 days.

So, don't be afraid of having them done. Not a bad experience and certainly not as scary as I orginally thought they would be.

L2L

[DubhBairn]

Hi,
My wife is a disabled vet with PTSD and Bi-Polar disorder. She is currently receiving disability for those and other health related problems.

She has had a really hard time since getting out in early 2004. They have had done a lot of test and psych evals and on her and determined her condition was aggravated in the service and she ended up with PTSD as a result of some major things that happened medically to her. She is totally unemployable and cannot handle being out in the world around a lot of people and dealing with people she either gets shy, scared or has anxiety attacks. We have tried volunteering for her and I have tried taking her on a couple of vacations to clear her mind. It works for a while then the anxiety returns and insomnia etc. She usually will bow out of volunteering after 2 times..

She recently went to the ER believing she had a heart attack. She did have numbness on her left side of her body radiating up to her jaw and then she said she felt her face go numb and muscles not work were she couldn't smile. They said she had a rare headache that mimics a heart attack.

She is having to go up to get a Nuero Psych through the VA system. They are not great at actually helping the patients and are well-known for trying to get rid of the vets by decreasing their benefits and bucking them out of the system. Thanks Obama.:/ Cutting military= cutting the Vets access to care. We already have a hard enough time trying to get vets the help they need.

She is totally nervous and very depressed and anxiety ridden about it. They need me to be there as well so they can talk to me too. I help her manage her issues everyday; ontop of helping her take care of 2 small kids and I'm working full-time and going to college. It's a lot! We have to both go and my son and daughter will have to be taken out of school this day because we live too far away to have time to get them out of school. So our kids will be with us.

Has anyone on here ever dealt with the VA nuero psych and do they really take away your benefits even if you are permanently disabled. They say the do not re-evaluate if you are permanent. She doesn't understand what they are doing for her.. She wants to know if it would be to help her with the numbness she is experiencing in her body/mind or if they are evaluating her all over again. Believe me it has been a grueling 8 years of test over and over again till' they were able to award her with her disability.

She has had her records brought before VA panel of doctors in Washington DC and a panel of 10 VA doctors locally to determine her disability. She is worried that she will not get the care she deserves and desperately needs and wants. That she will get lost in the system to deal with her issues again all by herself. She has good and bad days. Memory loss, anxiety attacks, numbness in her body, depression, mania, anger issues, phobias, etc.

There is no way she can work and I really feel for her. Is there anything I can do to help her out to try to get through this? Any thoughts and knowledge would be helpful. What are they looking for?? Any help would be great. I don't have any trust in the VA system.

[Mark in Idaho]

DubnBairn,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I am sorry to hear of your wife's struggles. My daughter was in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. I understand the struggles they often get from their time in the service. Was your wife in a war zone? It makes a difference to VA benefits.

It sounds like your wife may be suffering from ore than simple PTSD. It sounds like she has been injured neurologically. Back in 2004, there were still learning about PTSD and the other injuries effecting the soldiers.

I would not be too worried about the neuropsych quite yet. There are attorneys who represent vets who have been injured and are struggling with the VA system.

Can you tell us any more about her injuries and trauma, medical or otherwise? Has she had a head and/or neck injury of any kind?

What are you both doing to help her? Is she on meds? Receiving any therapy/counseling? What diagnostic tests has she had? Has she had her hormones tested by a hormone specialist that understands bio-identical hormones?

For a perspective of her daily life, how old are your kids?
And, what VA center does she go to?

With more information, we can offer better help and support.

My best to you and yours.

[Theta Z]

Originally Posted by pono

I was referred to NeuroPsych ... my appointment is scheduled for Monday next week.
I'm not sure what to expect....

I also had concerns about being "tested" in these ways but wish I had gone when I was first referred last spring, after (another) TBI in winter generated more severe cognitive and other persistant compromising affects .

I 've had few more concussions since. If I had been tested earlier perhaps more could've have been done, or at least some documentation of my brain for comparison of if/how the subsequent injuries have affected me (esp. since I've continued to have additional head injuries...mostly from falls.)

Each injury does seem to have consequences. Since my last concussion [from fall down 14 stairs w/ 5 minutes of unconciousness] a few weeks ago, I've had horrible insomnia, more cognitive problems, emotional volitility, and other problems.
Constant headaches and other chronic pain exaccerbated. I've had for years . Began when I was hit by car as pedestrian 12 years ago, but got much worse when I was struck in head by wheelchair lift last Dec. It was after that accident that "new" issues--cognitive, emotional, etc. emerged & persisted So I was referred to NeuroPsych. but missed scheduled appt.

When I thought I was getting better didn't think I needed to go... but now since these other injuries, and persisting & worsening problems, will go..... and see what NeuroPsych & tests may reveal

I will update & share more...

Wishing all the Best....

_______________________________________________
Hi, pono,

Theta here, still catching-up on reading posts from last month, and was glad to read news of you! I had been thinking of you & wondering how you were doing.

All the best to you. Keep us posted, yes!

Your friend,
Theta