Neuro Psych Eval
Well that was 4.5 hours of WTF. I got there at 10 and we had a slow start. Had a set of three tests by computer. Then a physical exam and some talking (questions about where i've lived and that kinda yick yack). Then the NP came in and we talked. He seemed interested in the fact that I can't stand pill mills (we discussed this in reference to my pain clinic experiences). Then another set of tests, these administered by a person. The first set of tests was all quick thinking stuff - only press the button when the circle shows up, etc. The second set was extreme short memory--here's a list of fifteen words, now tell 'em back to me.
There were LONG breaks in between everything. One was long enough for to read half a chapter in my text book and take a freakin' nap. Upside! At about 2:10 the NP came back with his team and discussed the results. He tells I'm "smart. Super smart." Really? I tell him that's interested and how I wish I could see the evidence of this. He then tells me that all my marks are normal or high--only two below average. What I liked best was what he told his team next, though. "This is normal for someone with Fibro and CFS. Sometimes you can identify the cognitive problems with these tests, but sometimes it's just not documentable. It's not in her head--this is real." Awesome! I am in love with this guy (figuratively speaking of course). For now, I go ahead with next week's sleep study and then come back for a different set of tests and some functional "tricks" that he has had success with in other cases.
So, it looks like this at least is not a textbook case of ADD jumping in with the CFS/Fibro. I can wait for answers since I know he's really looking for them. Even though I'm feeling physical meh, I am happy with this day's work. And my boss was rather understanding about the extremely long appointment.
There were LONG breaks in between everything. One was long enough for to read half a chapter in my text book and take a freakin' nap. Upside! At about 2:10 the NP came back with his team and discussed the results. He tells I'm "smart. Super smart." Really? I tell him that's interested and how I wish I could see the evidence of this. He then tells me that all my marks are normal or high--only two below average. What I liked best was what he told his team next, though. "This is normal for someone with Fibro and CFS. Sometimes you can identify the cognitive problems with these tests, but sometimes it's just not documentable. It's not in her head--this is real." Awesome! I am in love with this guy (figuratively speaking of course). For now, I go ahead with next week's sleep study and then come back for a different set of tests and some functional "tricks" that he has had success with in other cases.
So, it looks like this at least is not a textbook case of ADD jumping in with the CFS/Fibro. I can wait for answers since I know he's really looking for them. Even though I'm feeling physical meh, I am happy with this day's work. And my boss was rather understanding about the extremely long appointment.
Replies
That all sounds really positive! Thank goodness you have a good MD running the tests and training others! Nice to have someone validate your illness AND tell you that you are very intelligent. 2 birds! Glad your boss was kind, too. Good luck w/ tests next week. Hope you have another positive experience and get some \'tricks\'.
4.5 hours of WTF LMAO! Hey, you got a nap in... hehehe
Yes, I tested out \'wicked smaaht\' too, even though I feel impaired. It seems we\'re smart enough to not show as impaired in the tests because we started from such a high point.
I\'m so happy for you that you have a doc who can say It\'s not in her head--this is real.\" and proceed from there. Sounds like a win-win-win to me. YAYY!!
Wow, so you are super smart. I think my tests might not show my cognitive dysfunction either. It\'s probably hard to catch it on just the right day. But, we know that you have the raw materials of a super smart person. That\'s good news. Love you.
Thanks, all. It\'s always nice to be told we\'re smart even if we don\'t get to manifest it all the time. I\'m just so hopeful that he\'ll have some answers. He told his team that I was afraid of needing disability, which I never mentioned, so he might be recognizing that I\'m just plain in over my head.