posted
Hi, I haven't posted in a while, but I've been around. I'm going to have the neurpsychiatric testing done here in NJ. Has anyone had it done? I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what to expect and what sort of results it yielded. Teaching is becoming impossible for me. I barely make it through the work day and then face 3 hours of essays and planning when I come home. I can't do it. I try, but end up so frustrated, I sit looking at the papers and crying. Then they pile up and I spend my nights wide awake worrying how I will get through the next day. I don't know what to do. It's so embarassing too..it's January and I still don't know some of my student's names. I can't remember them. It doesn't help that there are 168. I'm not even sure why I'm having the testing done. I've been on three lenghty rounds of IV therapy since 1990. I improved tremendously after each, but I don't know that I want to keep putting my body through that. The results of the neuropsychiatric probably will depress me more. The doctor says it will be helpful if I choose to go on disability, but then what happens to my health benefits??? Any teachers?????any ideas??????? This is so hard to explain to people who don't understand. Thanks. Happy New Year and good health to all. I want to teach.....it's what I do....I just can't. 20 years of this.....I'm so tired.
-------------------- Mary Posts: 93 | From New Jersey | Registered: Oct 2000
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david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
I have not been tested but from What I have been told, it is a 3 to 4 hour session in which there are a number of verbal and visual tests. From what I gather, basically the testing assesses your ability to remember, see, compute, assess, and do congnitive functions. In the end they are trying to see if there are any deficiencies in any of the brain functions. The tests are designed to eliminate any subjectivity in the assesment.
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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riversinger
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4851
posted
I had neuropsych testing done as part of my disability application. I was fortunate to have someone do the testing who is very aware of the kinds of changes that happen in CFS, chemical sensitivity, and Lyme disease. While eliminating subjectivity is important, knowing what to look for is also critical.
The testing can take anywhere from 3-7 hours, depending on which tests are done, and how quickly you are able to do them. They cover a wide range of tasks, including memory, visual, auditory, and physical, eye-hand coordination, problem solving, pattern recognition, math, and a variety of others.
My experience was that it uncovered holes in my functioning that were not immediately obvious to others on observing me, but that cause me a tremendous amount of stress to cover for.
My Lyme doctor thought I didn't have much cognitive trouble until he read my report, which indicated organic brain damage. Because I had extremely high functioning in many areas, with unpredictable drops to non-functioning, it was found to be consistent with infection, not depression, which is an important distinguisher.
It was a little depressing to find I was worse in some areas than I realized. The good news, though, is that once you realize what is happening, there are some things you can do to compensate for some of the problems.
I do recommend that you look for a tester who has experience with people with Lyme, if at all possible. Perhaps your LLMD can refer you to someone good. It can make a difference in how they interpret the results.
posted
Thank you. Both of the above responses were helpful. The doctor who is doing the testing is very familiar with Lyme and my doctor refers many patients to him. What exactly do you mean by "compensating" for deficits? I already do a lot of compensating, much like a child with learning disabilities. The compensating is wearing me down too. I'm glad to know that the test distinguishes between Lyme and depression, although, fortunately my Lyme diagnosis has never been in doubt as I've had many positive tests for both Lyme and Babesia. However, like many chronic sufferers, I am depressed much of the time. Any more replies are appreciated. Thanks.
-------------------- Mary Posts: 93 | From New Jersey | Registered: Oct 2000
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riversinger
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4851
posted
Mary, I know that compensating for things can be exhausting. Especially in the situation you are in. For me, compensating sometimes means saying no.
For example, I cannot distinguish individual sounds well when there is more than one coming at me. My family recently held a conference call about a family crisis. I knew that the call would be doubly stressful for me, because I would have trouble hearing. Too many people talking at once would mean confusion in my brain.
I decided not to participate in the call. Instead, I sent an email to everyone, listing my concerns, and also talked to people seperately. This worked out very well, as they all had similar concerns, and they used my list to focus the call, and then responded to me what was decided.
I think the compensation depends on what the problem is. Some are ways to go around the problem. Some just avoid the problem activity completely.
Did you check on medical's 1st entry, TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE LINKS for this info? He has done an outstanding job of putting many helpful, useful links there, and constantly adds to it....check it ok.
I had neuro testing done 12-04 for: memory & intelligence which showed a lot plus the dreaded MMPI, Minnesota multi-phasic I________...can't remember. It's 567 q/a questions of true or false but they add "but, and, or" to every question so you could answer it eitherway.
Those 3 testings were 3 separate tests costing $1,000! I recommend memory & intelligence, but Iowa's CHIEF ALJ who handled my 2nd claim, did NOT even look at those results, my fibro, CFS, and definitely NOT MY LYME DISEASE of 34 yrs. being misdiagnosed. It could really help on the mental issues though.
Have you had the MFC, MENTAL FUNCTION CAPACITY, done by a psychiatrist. ALJ used her findings so much in his APPROVAL of my 2nd claim for severe depression & anxiety.
HOW TO FILE FOR SSDI - see Treepatrol's links and look for disability under MINOUCAT'S ... she's got links galore there but I highly recommend the DISINISSUES, disability insurance issues! That's what really helped me plus a female dr. had her template there of a very detailed app. she took for her 1st interview. She was approved on that step alone!!! Unheard of!
posted
Wow.....I could have written that myself...when I was able to write that well. It really makes me sad...the realization that I have lost so much of myself to this disease and may never get it back. There was a time I had such high goals for myself and now they seem so far out of reach. I know I should just be glad I can still wake up each morning and see the beautiful faces of my children. And I am so thankful for that. It is enough.
-------------------- Mary Posts: 93 | From New Jersey | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Seton I really feel for you . I would like to sugggest you try Neurofeedback treatment. The doctor uses EEGs and my son has Lyme in the brain. He had gotten the seizures and more, Many people think I am crazy but I have seen so much of a difference, please research this before you give up, it is newer treatment without medicine.He works on Lyme, ADHD, Tourettes, sleeping disorders.etc. The doctor we go to is in Linglestown Pa this is above Harrisburg Thomas Fink is his name , his number is 717-545-1938, he may be able to give you advice or give you a local doctor in your area, it has been a blessing for my son, I have Lyme . I have arthritis and I feel I am losing it at times, my insurance pays $20-$30 I pay $100 a week.Good luck Denise Posts: 43 | From Hanover Pa USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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