Neuropsychological Testing

[CalfeeChick]

I am scheduled for my first time next month. They said it would take 4-5 hours. I don't do anything for 4-5 hours except sleep. I am more disturbed about what the testing will be like. I think I am more concerned about this than I was with a spinal tab or spending 3 hours in an MRI tube! So would any of you that have had the testing let me know what they asked, what they asked you to do. Perhaps post a link so I can study up. Appreciate your help, ideas, etc.

[MS_Indestructible]

I really wish I could help, however, I've never done this type of test myself, I would be curious also. I wish you the best ~terry

[jimeka]

I just googled it and it doesn’t sound at all invasive. It’s to test your memory skills, cognitive skills, concentration, etc. Hope it goes well, let us know, blessings Jimeka 🦋 🍫

[erash]

CalfeeChick You did get my private message, right? What's at stake that you are so fearful? Can you ask them to split the testing into 2 sessions of 2-2 1/2 hrs. They did this for me to accomodate my work schedule once.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to erash]

erash I'm just concerned because Alzheimer's is in our family. My Mom, her sister, and just recently, my brother, age 78, all passed away directly or indirectly from Alzheimer's disease and i know my focus, cognitive skills are slipping. As hubby told my MS neuro, I'm keeping the Post-it people in business.

[erash in reply to CalfeeChick]

CalfeeChick i can understand your worry (although worry and stress in and of themselves can impair cognition).

There can be familial or genetic forms of AD (Alzheimer's). This form often affects younger individuals <50 y.

You've done much to prevent via exercise and healthy living.

Perhaps your meds r affecting your thinking? Gabapentin and Tegretol can certainly do that.

I've also come to believe that cog changes can be a symptom of relapse.

Wishing u the best 🌈

[RoyceNewton]

I am not sure are they wanting you to do Evoked potential test which are really very easy painless, just boring. looking at a dot on a screen hearing beeps, nothing to worry about, if it to see if you are loony just laugh at them and say "well yes I am dearie" that should be good for a laugh

Sorry for not being very helpful it has been a day from somewhere.

Everyday in someway we are getting better & better,

Royce

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to RoyceNewton]

I did that last year, took about 4 1/2 hours, fun but tiring. All Normal results. I'm intimidated because I know my focus and cognitive skills are decreasing.. Keeping post-it people in business with notes all over house..

[rjoneslaw]

I just looked the exam up. If I am correct this exam is testing your muscles reactions to see if they are still alive and active. If I am right I had this test done. When I went to the Mayo clinic they did so many test I had no clue what the names were I would just fall asleep because they took forever. I had an MRI that lasted 4hrs. It does hurt at the beginning but after awhile you get used to it. I actually fell asleep when I had it done. Just relax and have a good nap

[Linda3579]

Oh, Please try not to stress over this. It’s not something you can study up for. It’s just to test your cognitive skills, mostly memory. It’s way easier than a LP or MRI.

It’s just mentally tiring. You can only remember what you can. There’s no shame in that. IMO, At our age, it’s hard to remember things even if we didn’t have MS. My test took a little less than 4 hours.

I expect the more you can do the longer it takes. I did take a break. They also said I could come back the next day to finish, but I chose to finish even though I knew I was too tired to remember the shapes on a card I was suppose to match. A nice lady read me short stories and then asked me question about the stories. They also

read me lists of words. Then I had to repeat as many as I could remember. They also talked to me about my life and my activities. I found out later from my neuro that she was checking to see if I was suffering from depression. I can’t remember what else they asked me 😬. Like you, I never do anything for 4 hours straight. They expect you will get tired. I didn’t like the memory part, because I knew I wasn’t doing well, but I really liked the time talking with the physiologist. She was very nice and had some helpful ideas.

I do hope you won’t loose any sleep over this. You can only do what you can do. And it’s nice that there are NO needles involved. Wishing you well, Linda

[Morllyn]

I had that many years ago. The doctor was awesome! He asked lots of questions and some little, short tests, I think. Nothing you could study for. You just let your mind work how it will.

Remember, this is not a test you should worry about failing, it shows how you memory, thought process are working. At least that is what I think it was.

jimeka has it right.

[RoseySawyer in reply to Morllyn]

Basically 😊

[RoseySawyer]

I did that test after I had gotten out of the hospital to make sure that the lesions I had didn't affect alot of the psychological things. MS can affect everything. I did a few memory test to see if I can remember what story was told in a paragraph and if I can redraw what they showed me on a piece of paper for a few minutes before. Please don't stress about it. ❤🌷😊

[CraigS]

The Kaiser facility I go to is wonderful. Very caring people to tend to you. They give you warm blankets and I tend to nap a lot during the procedure.

I’m lucky, I guess that being in an MRI doesn’t bother me. I was actually being tested during the Lima Prieta earthquake here in the SF Bay Area. I was about 2 miles from the epicenter and had quite a ride!

Good luck to you on your testing. Of course, spinal taps are not fun.

Deep breathing slow exhales and happy thoughts helped me.

Craig

[suznj325 in reply to CraigS]

CraigS... I'm so sorry/not 😐 sorry to tell you... I belly laughed when I read about your earthquake ride in the MRI!! I once fell asleep in the MRI & snored... the techs couldn't believe it!! 🤣🤣

[bxrmom]

Good luck on your test CalfeeChick It sounds like it is something you do not need to study for or be worried about from what everyone has said. Just go to your appointment and do the best you can

Jessie

[mrsmike9]

I had it done about a year and a half ago. Mine was 6 1/2 hours. It's in little bites so it's not constant so it really wasn't bad. I would NOT stress about it.

[MarkUpnorth]

Yes, I had one many years ago. It's just a long one on one written exam that seems to vary depending on your answers. When all done, you are certified crazy. No, just kidding. It gives them a better means to assess what's going on cognitively. I found it interesting, analyzing what they were trying to determine, and seeing how bad I had gotten, not that they will ever tell you, but you can see yourself on some of the test. Tests....calculus and differential equations for the math, literature style analysis.....again, just kidding. Really, as an example. Shown a stick figure drawing, then another one or two, then go back to the original. What's different? What's missing? Things like that.

Go through a long written test as quickly as your can. Pushing me to go faster during parts. I was told afterwards it wasn't important how I answered, they were watching how quickly I fatigued and slowed down.... Many different tests like that. In the end, everyone passes and gets a lollipop plucked into your mouth and you're sent out wearing a t-shirt with tied arms. Again, just kidding. (about the lollipop)!