Neuropsych testing

[Guest guest]

Hi Lovette,

Hope you check this out before you leave for your appt today. I had the

neuro psych testing just last week...no results back yet, but I know for

sure that I failed miserably on the short term memory stuff. My test was in

Philadelphia and was supposed to last 8 hours, I was there from 8AM till

almost 2PM, so I got done a little sooner. It was very exhausting...lots

more than paper and pencil stuff....I wish you luck today, we will have to

compare tests when you are done.

Hugs,

Marta

>From: " F. Mott " <smott@...>

> Tomorrow is a big day for me. I go for cognitive neuropsychological

>testing [paper and pencil stuff] to see if they can pinpoint my

>problems. We'll find out if I've lost my marbles, or just misplaced

>them!

>

>Lovette

[Guest guest]

Dear Marta: My test was only 2 hours at Hopkins. I don't think that

short-term memory is my largest problem, although I'm definitely not as

good as I used to be. What I was really bad at was coming up with names

of things that begin with the letter " a " or whatever letter they asked

me about. I only got about 5 or 6 in 1 minute. And there were simply

parts of the test that I could not accomplish, like the parts with

hieroglyphic type characters. Visual to brain is a big issue with me.

Will be anxious to hear what the results are for you so we can

compare notes!

Oh, by the way - I just got a kit from Igenex, but my doctor wasn't

in. My understanding is that I have to take biaxin for 5 days, and then

do a urine test (or 3) and a blood test. Do you know if the urine is

over several days? If so, how do I store it? How do I explain Igenex

to a po-dunk hospital who needs to draw my blood and send it Fed=Ex?

Lovette

[Guest guest]

Hi Lovette,

I had lots of trouble too with the areas you mentioned. My test also

involved being blindfolded and with first my right hand only, then left,

then both, I had to put together a puzzle of shapes....then when I

accomplished that with the blindfold off, but the puzzle out of sight, I was

supposed to draw the puzzle from memory....I couldn't do one piece. I also

failed miserably with the name the articles that start with " a " etc. it was

very embarrassing to me....I did bad too, with the part when the doctor read

me a story and asked me to recall as much as possible of the plot and recite

it back.....I guess since my test was so long it involved other things

rather than short term losses. I think I did well with tests that had two

things that were in common to remember...i.e.: rose/flower....if the doctor

said rose ten minutes later, I knew the other word was flower. Did you have

to do math problems in your head or count in a series of 4 i.e.:

3....7...11....15 etc? I know I messed that one up too. The worst was

when I was asked a series of common knowledge questions, which I guess

measured IQ....for instance: How many senators are there? I said 100, not

sure if that is right. I was asked to explain certain sayings...like what

does a bird in the hand etc. mean? I am just glad it is over, now to obtain

the embarrassing results.

Sorry I can't help you with ?'s about IGenex tests, hope someone else

jumps in here.

Hugs,

Marta

-----Original Message-----

>From: " F. Mott " <smott@...>

>

>Dear Marta: My test was only 2 hours at Hopkins. I don't think that

>short-term memory is my largest problem, although I'm definitely not as

>good as I used to be.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lovette,

I had to do some bloodwork to Igenex several times and the only way I

could get it drawn was if the doctor also ordered bloodwork the lab could

do so it could more or less do it together. Also, Igenex has an 800

number the lab can call for directions. I then had to box it up myself

and haul it to FEDEX because the lab wouldn't do that. Also, they had to

spin the blood down and then wait so it tacked on an additional 30

minutes waiting. You may have to fill out the paperwork, too, I did.

But then it all worked out after that and the results got sent back to

the doctor.

Good luck,

On Wed, 06 Jan 1999 15:46:38 -0500 " F. Mott " <smott@...>

writes:

>From: " F. Mott " <smott@...>

>

>Dear Marta: My test was only 2 hours at Hopkins. I don't think that

>short-term memory is my largest problem, although I'm definitely not

>as

>good as I used to be. What I was really bad at was coming up with

>names

>of things that begin with the letter " a " or whatever letter they asked

>me about. I only got about 5 or 6 in 1 minute. And there were simply

>parts of the test that I could not accomplish, like the parts with

>hieroglyphic type characters. Visual to brain is a big issue with me.

> Will be anxious to hear what the results are for you so we can

>compare notes!

>

> Oh, by the way - I just got a kit from Igenex, but my doctor

>wasn't

>in. My understanding is that I have to take biaxin for 5 days, and

>then

>do a urine test (or 3) and a blood test. Do you know if the urine is

>over several days? If so, how do I store it? How do I explain Igenex

>to a po-dunk hospital who needs to draw my blood and send it Fed=Ex?

>

>Lovette

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in too, I have gone thru neuropsychological

testing. Once in '96 and again in end of '98/ beginning of '99. I am

attending Cognitive Therapy sessions thru an excellent doctor. She has shown

me " exactly " where I am having

my memory problems (due to LD). She is " working " on getting me to use

" strategies " to make up for my poor memory. I am still working on it, with

the " strategies " , but it " ain't

easy " . At times, I feel like I am not trying hard enough to set these up in

my mind these strategies, eventhough in reality, I know I am. I am lucky to

be able to be still working at my full time job. I am now, guessing about

75 percent feeling better physically, improved my lethargy so that I wasnt as

bad as I had been. My biggest uptodate concerns now, are : getting a 2nd

Brain Spect Scan - insurance approved so that it can be compared to my Oct '98

Brain Spect Scan (which showed abnormalities and perfusions as shown in LD).

I also want to continue to rule out other reasons for my nerve damage in both

my hands and feet. I am waiting for my next wk doctor visit to find out

blood test results of my blood that was sent to Athena Lab in Virginia. For

ruling out other diseases. If & hopefully results are negative, then next

step would be muscle nerve biopsy . Boy have I rambled, pardon. My main

point is for anyone who can see a Cognitive therapist for help

due to memory loss, I give my opinion, and highly recommend it.

Thank you all for listening to me, I hope I have given some " feedback

for consideration " in helping to fight Memory loss problems.

Alan

FarmHaven2@...

[Guest guest]

Marta

I was glad to see your posting to me. For you and any other fellow

Lymies (in NJ)

pls email me at FarmHaven2@... and I will give you the name of my

Cognitive therapist. She is very good in dealing with insurance companies

too, she uses her head, I guess with that old saying, you get more bees with

honey, I think that is how the saying goes, in regards to her dealings with

getting insurance approvals. I definitely would and will swear on a stack of

bibles, how well I feel (optimistically) due to cognitive therapy. My doctor

shows me exactly where I am having my problems. This is a new field (or an

attempt in helping us due to memory problems) in as far as LD, but a field

that is desperately needed to be an additional help/ and looked into for

fellow Lymies.

I have gone this far and am willing to go that extra step in a muscle

nerve biopsy

because I remember what my Primary care physician told me last spring, " to put

ice on my feet and take (list of) these vitamines I am recommending and you

should feel better "

This doctor didnt know or even consider my having nerve damage. I had to see

a Neurologist at Allegheny hospital in Philadephia,Pa to have this finally

documented and that is wasnt something I was just imagining.

I am very much interested in letting fellow lymies know that Cognitive

therapy, is

another area to be checked out and looked into. I have a Super doctor, and

wont think twice about letting anyone who requests, know her name.

Regards ,

Alan

FarmHaven2@...

[Guest guest]

Allan,

Thanks so much for sharing about your neurological testing and therapy

sessions. I must admit, I did not know that there was any way that my

memory could be improved, I thought it was going to stay at this level, and

I was more concerned in stopping the progression....Is this therapy all

covered by your insurance??? I am glad to hear you can work full time.

That is another concern of mine, will I ever be able to work at any job

again???

In view of Dr , Mattman etc. new gold standard Lyme culture of

blood, do you think it would be necessary for you to have the muscle biopsy

to rule out other diseases??? I have heard they are very painful and leave

a bad scar. My neuro mentioned it in my case, but I know I have Lyme

disease and nothing else, regardless of what some doctors want to tell me.

I too have nerve damage in both hands and legs and feet. Just think how

many insurance dollars will be saved ruling out other diseases with

unnecessary tests once this new Lyme culture test is approved and on the

market. I am getting more and more excited the more I think about this. I

hope these doctors make mega bucks with their discovery.

Marta

>From: FarmHaven2@...

>

>Just wanted to put my 2 cents in too, I have gone thru neuropsychological

>testing.

[Guest guest]

Dear Alan,

I, too see a wonderful neurologist/pain specialist at Allegheney Hospital

in

Pa. Without her, I think I might not be here---due to the horrendous pain I have

experienced--all neuritic, from Lyme. I am monitored carefully and have no

problems with my pain meds. Without them, I cannot even function. Just browsing

the posts today and this caught my eye. Maybe we see the same MD there? Let me

know if you want to via e-mail.

Your friend,

Helen in NJ

FarmHaven2@... wrote:

> From: FarmHaven2@...

>

> Marta

>

> I was glad to see your posting to me. For you and any other fellow

> Lymies (in NJ)

> pls email me at FarmHaven2@... and I will give you the name of my

> Cognitive therapist. She is very good in dealing with insurance companies

> too, she uses her head, I guess with that old saying, you get more bees with

> honey, I think that is how the saying goes, in regards to her dealings with

> getting insurance approvals. I definitely would and will swear on a stack of

> bibles, how well I feel (optimistically) due to cognitive therapy. My doctor

> shows me exactly where I am having my problems. This is a new field (or an

> attempt in helping us due to memory problems) in as far as LD, but a field

> that is desperately needed to be an additional help/ and looked into for

> fellow Lymies.

>

> I have gone this far and am willing to go that extra step in a muscle

> nerve biopsy

> because I remember what my Primary care physician told me last spring, " to put

> ice on my feet and take (list of) these vitamines I am recommending and you

> should feel better "

> This doctor didnt know or even consider my having nerve damage. I had to see

> a Neurologist at Allegheny hospital in Philadephia,Pa to have this finally

> documented and that is wasnt something I was just imagining.

>

> I am very much interested in letting fellow lymies know that Cognitive

> therapy, is

> another area to be checked out and looked into. I have a Super doctor, and

> wont think twice about letting anyone who requests, know her name.

>

> Regards ,

> Alan

> FarmHaven2@...

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Dear : I had neuropsych testing done in January at s Hopkins.

My testing took only 3 hours. They basically give you lists of things

to memorize or other word and/or visual games. Nothing invasive or

terribly stressful. Some of the things I could do easily. Others I

couldn't do to save my life! I remember that they asked me to think of

as many words as I could that began with an " a " in 1 minute. I could

only think of a couple! I simply could not make any connections. I

found this quite horrifying. This test is interesting in that it will

confirm " medically " for you what you already know - that you are

impaired by the lyme. As for me, they said that I had moderate

attention deficit, and since they didn't know anything about lyme

disease, they tried to prescribe Ritalin! I told them no, I needed

antibiotics.

Good luck,

Lovette

[Guest guest]

Hi K.,

I had the neuro-psych testing done and found it to be very

interesting. I was told that they could tell which parts of the brain

were affected by my answers to specific questions and problem solving.

Then they could show me how to deal with these problems. They also said

that it would show if these problems were caused by Lyme Disease as it

affects certain parts of the brain (didn't like that...). Unfortunately,

I don't have the results yet, but I can tell you about the test.

I had to listen to a series of numbers and repeat them, both forwards

and backwards, solve math problems, give definitions of words, and the

worst for me...listen to a story and repeat as many details about it as

I could. I remembered so few details even after hearing the story 2x,

that I almost started crying...but then realized that this showed that I

DID have memory problems and the Drs would have to address that. Some

other things I had to do: look at a design for a few seconds and then

draw it, put cards with scenes on them in the proper sequence, and

arrange colored blocks in such a way that they duplicated a picture seen

a few seconds earlier. There were many others, but I think you get the

idea. Have fun with the test and you'll do fine!

Take care, Joan

[Guest guest]

K,

I had the neuro-psych test there at the Mayo in sdale. It is just

a series of questions, putting together some puzzles and connecting so dots.

No pain.

Hope it goes well for you.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had it done this past December, yes, it does take 6 hours or more. You

are given lots of tests, mostly related to memory, they will recite a story

to you and you have to tell it back, or they will give you a list of items

to recall, wait about 10 minutes and ask you to recite them. I failed the

memory section miserably. It was very embarrassing. They also test

intelligence, I guess for a guideline. My report said that the problems I

was having related to the damaged part of my brain (from MRI). I am going

to have another done at the end of this year to see if this is getting

worse.

Actually the testing was rather fun, I am the competitive type and tried to

do my best. I had a good technician working with me, we had necessary

breaks, and other than fatigue, and my sore shoulder neck from sitting so

long, it wasn't so bad. I am sure that the neuro-psyche testing I had,

helped me get approved for SSDI.

Hugs,

Marta

>From: BailieBoy@...

>

>Anyone ever have neuro-psych testing done?? I am scheduled to go in on this

>Saturday morning-it takes 4-6 hours!! My doctor said he wanted

documentation

>of my memory problems. I guess this is good for disability reasons and I

am

>also curious as lately it seems much worse. I am curious how the testing

is

>and also what they can tell from it as far as specific problems in the

brain.

>

>Thanks.

> K, in Arizona

>

>

[Guest guest]

<<<They basically give you lists of things

to memorize or other word and/or visual games. Nothing invasive or terribly

stressful. Some of the things I could do easily. Others I couldn't do to save

my life! I remember that they asked me to think of as many words as I could

that began with an " a " in 1 minute. >>>

Hi Lovette! Thanks for sharing your experience! ) So, what words do start

with " a " ? Uhhhh, apple, uhhhhh...... LOL It's quite an ordeal to think this

up!

[Guest guest]

I had a neuropsych test for re-evaluation of SSDI. That was back in 1997.

I didn't even know what year it was. Very embarrassing. It was already

February and I couldn't tell the person the right year. I got two chances.

And there I was bragging about my photographic memory .... where was it

when I needed it!?

Now laughing but not then.

Kiana M. Rossi

mailto:bornfree@...

But I don't have Lyme ... ; )

[Guest guest]

Let me rephrase something.

Electrosensibles do have problems with their short-term memory.

F.i. I remeber very well what happened in my youth (and that is a very, very

long time ago).

I am sitting at my desk and I want to get something from the kitchen.

When standing up, and underway to the kitchen, I am at a lost, because I

cannot remember what I wanted te get.

Or, you are on a webpage, and want to look for something on another page.

When changing into your browser, you are completely forgotten what to look

for.

You know exactly what you had for dinner, but this short-term memory is

going down the drain.

I am not a brain expert, but this phenomenon does bother many people.

Greetings,

Claessens

member Verband Baubiologie

www.milieuziektes.nl

www.milieuziektes.be

www.hetbitje.nl

checked by Bitdefender

neuropsych testing

>I just got the results of neuropsych testing, and wondered if anyone

> else has had these kind of tests and what were the results.

>

> The main result was that while I excelled in most areas, I was

> rather poor and slow in terms of " working memory " .

>

> I'm not sure if they considered that found the testing quite

> fatiguing by the end. Conceivably my glial cells are not up

> to that much activity. I know the math test was first. I'm not

> sure when the " working memory " tests were. I think it was the

> one that involved hearing numbers and saying them back, sometimes

> backwards. I think it's something I could have done very well

> a few years ago (I memorized 50 digits of pi in high school, and

> could memorize phone numbers very easily). By the end of

> that test I remember thinking " this is torture " .

>

> They also did personality testing and said I'm the type who does

> not accept that my problem could be psychological. Well, I did

> consider that it could be psychological for a couple months, but

> now that I'm convinced it's not, they're right.

>

> Any brain experts out there care to comment on any of this?

>

> Bill

>

[Guest guest]

Good description. I also find that I used to be able to hold onto

a train of thought, follow another train of thought, and then come back to

the first one. Now that seems almost hopeless. Although I notice a

lot of variation. Some evenings I can really seem like a pro playing

the memory game " concentration " (remember where picture cards are

so you can turn them over in matched pairs). Other times I'm horrible at

it. I suppose it depends how much exposure I've had recently, but

I also think some activities like guitar playing may help get my faculties

back?

Bill

On 8/7/07, charles <charles@...> wrote:

>

> Let me rephrase something.

>

> Electrosensibles do have problems with their short-term memory.

>

> F.i. I remeber very well what happened in my youth (and that is a very,

> very

> long time ago).

> I am sitting at my desk and I want to get something from the kitchen.

> When standing up, and underway to the kitchen, I am at a lost, because I

> cannot remember what I wanted te get.

>

> Or, you are on a webpage, and want to look for something on another page.

> When changing into your browser, you are completely forgotten what to look

>

> for.

> You know exactly what you had for dinner, but this short-term memory is

> going down the drain.

>

> I am not a brain expert, but this phenomenon does bother many people.

>

> Greetings,

> Claessens

> member Verband Baubiologie

> www.milieuziektes.nl

> www.milieuziektes.be

> www.hetbitje.nl

> checked by Bitdefender

>

>

> neuropsych testing

>

> >I just got the results of neuropsych testing, and wondered if anyone

> > else has had these kind of tests and what were the results.

> >

> > The main result was that while I excelled in most areas, I was

> > rather poor and slow in terms of " working memory " .

> >

> > I'm not sure if they considered that found the testing quite

> > fatiguing by the end. Conceivably my glial cells are not up

> > to that much activity. I know the math test was first. I'm not

> > sure when the " working memory " tests were. I think it was the

> > one that involved hearing numbers and saying them back, sometimes

> > backwards. I think it's something I could have done very well

> > a few years ago (I memorized 50 digits of pi in high school, and

> > could memorize phone numbers very easily). By the end of

> > that test I remember thinking " this is torture " .

> >

> > They also did personality testing and said I'm the type who does

> > not accept that my problem could be psychological. Well, I did

> > consider that it could be psychological for a couple months, but

> > now that I'm convinced it's not, they're right.

> >

> > Any brain experts out there care to comment on any of this?

> >

> > Bill

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Isn't this to do with mercury and maybe other things crossing the

blood/brain barrier because it has become weaker than it should be?

I think maybe gluten might contribute to the weakening because I read

a post on here just over a week ago about gluten possibly being one

of the causes and in the past week I have noticed that I seem to feel

worse when I have foods with gluten in. The trouble with gluten is

that it's in so many foods that it's difficult to avoid but I think

it's worth trying to avoid it for a few days if people haven't

already, to see what happens to their ES.

>

> Let me rephrase something.

>

> Electrosensibles do have problems with their short-term memory.

>

> F.i. I remeber very well what happened in my youth (and that is a

very, very

> long time ago).

> I am sitting at my desk and I want to get something from the

kitchen.

> When standing up, and underway to the kitchen, I am at a lost,

because I

> cannot remember what I wanted te get.

>

> Or, you are on a webpage, and want to look for something on another

page.

> When changing into your browser, you are completely forgotten what

to look

> for.

> You know exactly what you had for dinner, but this short-term

memory is

> going down the drain.

>

> I am not a brain expert, but this phenomenon does bother many

people.

>

[Guest guest]

My son's LLD has recommended this, and I do believe it would benefit him greatly

in school.  However I've been told it is pretty  much useless if it isn't done

by the only Lyme literate neuropsych testers, who charge a little over $4,000

for the testing.  It would not be covered at all by my son's insurance.  I just

simply can't do it.  I hate this, I know he needs it, and I just can't do it.  I

am very, very sick myself and do not have it in me to fight the school and/or

insurance company to pay.  Maybe someday.....I wish I could.

 

[Guest guest]

I understand- My stomach turns every time I think about the cost. On what basis

does you ins not cover it? The psychologist told me it is more likely to get

covered if it is submitted as a medical diagnostic procedure, and NOT to submit

under mental health.

I am praying ours will cover it.

Dara

>

> My son's LLD has recommended this, and I do believe it would benefit him

greatly in school.  However I've been told it is pretty  much useless if it

isn't done by the only Lyme literate neuropsych testers, who charge a little

over $4,000 for the testing.  It would not be covered at all by my son's

insurance.  I just simply can't do it.  I hate this, I know he needs it, and I

just can't do it.  I am very, very sick myself and do not have it in me to fight

the school and/or insurance company to pay.  Maybe someday.....I wish I could.

>

>

>

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>

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>

>

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