I was seen by a neuropsychologist two days ago. for a mental examination. He warned me it would be a difficult test. He didn't mention it would take over 3 hours. At first I felt I was doing well but as the hours passed I sorta crumbled under the pressure. Maybe low blood sugar from skipping breakfast? I dunno. Maybe wearing the mask affecting oxygen levels? I dunno. Maybe poor executive function from PD? I dunno.
At the end he said I have problems multi-tasking, a classic PD sign. He said the test will be repeated in a year so I've got a year to work on my answers.
I'd been on Cymbalta, an SSRI, prescribed for depression but I ran out weeks ago. I'm wondering if I needed to be on it for the test. He kept urging me to answer more quickly which added to my stress level. One question was list any animals that began with an A. I started out okay; Aardvark...Antelope...Army Ants....but ran out of animals as he pushed me to respond more. That's when I was crumbling. I mentioned in an earlier post that he showed a drawing of a Pelican but I said it was a Platypus. Then he said it starts with Pel and I got it. For a lot of the photos he would help by saying, "It starts with..." which allowed me to answer.
I've always, always hated, hated doing poorly on exams. Which pushed me to study more. In college I was still up studying in the dorm when the Asian kids had gone to bed. Being stubborn has always gotten me further than being smart.
I finished Spark, the new science of exercise and the brain. It was all about brain chemicals such as Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Dopamine, BDNF and HGH. At the end of the book he recommends daily exercise and studying something. In the past I was interested in learning Spanish. I took a class at the local college and I bought Rosetta Stone for Spanish computer program.
I'm addicted to caffeine, It wakes me up but I've read it shuts down oxygen flow to the brain. I've got the Brain Game Lumosity, which can track improvements.
The photo is of my shed where I have a treadmill. My plan is to use it daily, as Spark suggests, and redouble efforts to learn Spanish. And get off coffee.
Any other suggestions?
Sorry for such a long post.
KPO
Written by
kaypeeoh
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I doubt many would've done much better with the "A" animals, especially under stress being pushed. I wouldn't worry too much nor stress out as long as you're functional for your daily routines. I hated Rosetta Stone. I like Pimsleur programs much better. Don't worry about coffee as long as you're not gulping it down all day long. A cup or two is fine for almost everyone. Very good idea on exercising daily! 👍
Not exactly. But my test responses is why he thinks I need to be tested for driving ability. Even if I failed it I doubt I'd give up my license. I'd rather run away like a fugitive, maybe move to Mexico; I am learning Spanish....
I actually know a little something about this test and I know that whoever administers it is supposed to be as neutral as possible. That means no facial expression, no body language, no words, no indications - at all - while you are performing. ANY involvement contaminates the interpretation, so this doctor's administration of the test was not competent. You could take the same test the next morning and perform entirely different. You should disregard the test and how you feel about it.
I wonder if he was helping because he saw how I was struggling for a word, as if I knew it but couldn't vocalize. Some parts I did well on. He handed squares painted on all six sides. Then showed an image that could be produced by manipulating the squares. He got me started then turned to write notes. 50+ years of putting car engines together, producing the right collection of blocks was easy. In fact I'd have to cough to get his attention when I'd finished as he was not expecting me to finish so quickly. The same test is on the Lumosity brain game.
My point is you may well have done better with 0 involvement. His motive to help distorts your performance. 1 of my wife's 3 graduate degrees is a PhD in psychology education. She used to teach psychology grad students how to administer this test and she says trying to be helpful is just as bad as being unhelpful.
Absolutely correct, Marc. Mine took 4 hours and the lady who administered the test was even keel throughout the process. At times she would prompt, but I would be almost able to answer and she would know it. It's a requirement for possible DBS.
She did tell me that the test results are weighted for education, background, prior experiences and life quality etc.
Why is the doctor scaring you instead of encouraging you regarding the test. He needs to get his mind tested first for compassion or the lack thereof. Sorry, for the rant, but may be another good doctor can give you the same test and you can do better. Ask him to pronounce this Indian name correctly and give him 2 chances to get it right - 'Shankaranaryana Kshamarbritha Sarvotthamarayru'.
Re driving, the problem PWP need to be mindful of is whether or not your insurance will cover you.
"If you’re involved in a car accident that your medical condition may have played a role in causing, but you kept this detail under wraps from your insurer, they could refuse to pay your insurance claim upon discovery of this factor. "
You can be sure that if you get in an expensive accident involving personal injury, the insurance company will find out and whether or not your Parkinson's played a role, they will use that as an excuse to deny coverage.
You haven't said why you did the test? I dont understand the antagonism toward it as it is done in our interests and is voluntary. I had a psych assessment as a baseline test along with other assessments. I can monitor my condition, maybe I'll see improvement if I do fast walking! Haha. I see it as a good tool to use with other assessments to get an overall picture of my PD. I wouldn't be thinking or worrying about it. It is what it is and certainly I would not be preparing now for another one in a years time!
As to driving, I take it your wife was worried. Lots of PD issues affect driving including PD eye problems. I would think it silly to exclude my main support person from the doctors visit. We all know we rely on them and they need to hear what is happening too.
And I would still drink coffee, its good for the brain.
Not really sure why. I've been seething with anger over everything that has happened this year. I was a workaholic for 40 years and abruptly I no longer have a job. Retirement is great for those who want it but I never wanted it. At night I dream I'm still working.
I’ve recently taken up wood carving and am learning the piano. I’m actually getting obsessive about the former which is filling the gap in my day very nicely.
Kpo, you have to get rid of the anger! I had a head on because the other driver was late for work, I was the receiver of 6 months in hospital,had to beg to be released for Xmas. I was angry for being wronged by an A_ hole for 20 plus years. A good friend from uni got me to do a weekend workshop, it was the turning point to slowly stop being a guy that should not be crossed. You may not realize it, but others feel your energy, your anger. You have a new job as a PWP, THAT IS WHERE ALL THAT PENT UP ENERGY HAS TO GO NOW. Sorry for being so blunt but the anger can/will likely hasten your PD if you don't.
Can you elaborate on this week end workshop? My husband was also hit by an A_ hole 20 years ago. His was not late for work but was driving drunk at 5 pm... He's still mad after all these years for this accident having limited his career.
It was so long ago,I can hardly remember, the leader of the seminar was a former apprentice priest and used all sorts of tools to get the group to coalesce to support the person who discovered a long hidden piece of suppressed pain, I had a return to when my grandfather died , for example. The release of that suppressed memory changed a lot of habits I had and some still with me. Look for what I would call Personal Development workshops.
OK, I'm just saying--I asked my husband to think of animals that begin with A and after a minute he came up with ONE. Just Aardvark.
My husband DOES NOT have parkinson's. He is a practicing physician.
That test sounds ridiculous.
I get tested twice a year with the standard exam for dementia and the questions are more like: words that begin with the letter F... or ... list names of fruits. And even then, I choke too. It's always scary, being in a spotlight.
PS--when someone asks you for words that begin with the letter F the first one in your head is naughty. So along with everything else, you have to keep from blurting, or laughing.
I had all the time in the world and no one prodding at me to hurry and I came up with Anteater, Aardvark and then I cheated and looked at your responses. I’d say you are doing very well my friend. Oh to be my former self, I was fast with the vocab, if I am honest probably never. What’s the point in the test? To make us feel bad? I am definitely not as sharp as I used to be and guess what, Doc, I know I am getting worse. I am like you doing my best to improve, retain, work on my mental acuteness. I would ask the doc to just tell me what to do to stop the decline or improve, whether it be medication or books or games or studying a language. Outsiders knowing my exact degree of decline, no thanks.
hi kaypeeoh, you mentioned exercise as helpful. my PT and exercise coach plans exercise routines that include cognitive exercise done simultaneously. i.e. trying to walk on a line with 1 foot in front of the other while counting backwards by 7's......you get the idea.
I have a storage shed where I keep the treadmill, I'm waiting for a chin-up bar to be delivered and I have a 4X4 cedar post for balance exercises. I'll try the counting backwards by 7's exercise.
Geez, 3 hours for a test is an awful long time. My hubby who has PD and his brain is working great, wouldn't have lasted if the test were in the afternoon. He starts to tire out around 2pm.
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