Neuropsychological Testing

[terodac]

I have trouble focusing and retaining information also confusion most days some worst than others. My vision is the worst. I have to force myself to get involved in things to do. I have been playing games, puzzles and trying to read. This has been a big problem for me. Doctors want to pass it off as depression, well yea I have that also because I feel crazy most of the time. Now my doctor wants me to go have a Neuropsychological Testing! Has anyone had this done and what kind of test do you have to take. He told me it would be from 9-4 and I laughed! I can't take anything for that long, get real. He said they can break it up if I get to tired. You think??? My other doctor told me that you can't pass or fail the test it just to see what is going on in your mind. My husband said they could save there money and come spend a couple of days with me! LOL! Bless his heart! Some days or worst than others do others find this to be true? I feel like I am outside of my body sometimes! I really have had to find humor in it. Can anyone tell me anything about these test! and what they found out. I really think it is pump head for being on bypass machine for six hours and them dropping my temp. This should be a fun day!
God Bless

 

[Cooker]

I can?t help with the test but I do know that since my surgery (2006) I have not been the same ? I forget things ? thank God for post-it notes and computer pop-ups ?. It?s all short term things ? Also, I have no problem with numbers or math ? just forget to call someone back that just called or why I walked into a room ? some days I?m not bothered by it and some days it?s very real ?. DW says I?ve always been this way?..

 

[terryj]

My husband had his AVR over 8 years ago and complains he can't remember things like he did before the surgery. He is 59 now. He is a electro mechanic for a fiberglas manufacturer. He says he used to be able to remember where every spare part was in the parts room and now he has to search for them. Sometimes if we are suppose to stop at the bank while we are out shopping or stop to get gas he will drive right by them and forget. Of course, I didn't have heart surgery and I forget things also.

 

[barrie]

neuropsychological testing

neuropsychological testing

Cognitive dysfunction is reported after cardiopulmonary bypass.It has also been called "pump head".Theories exist that it may be due to very small bubbles of nitrogen in the blood stream when patients come off bypass or to being rewarmed too fast following cold cardioplegia(stopping the heart with cold blood).Memory lapses can also be due to some depression or te ageing process which we are all subject to.The neuropsychiatric tests may be able to tell what is responsible for the memory problems.Hope that helps.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You may want to get (or at least read) your surgical report.

See if you can determine the Rate at which they raised your body temperature following surgery.

Studies have indicated that slowing the process by only a few (5 or 10?) minutes helps prevent 'cognitive effects'.

I'm not sure what the (old) standard rates were or the 'new' recommended rates. That would be good information to have.

 

[netmiff]

I can't help you much, terodac, but I imagine that it will be a lot of how you react to certain stimuli. They may put wires on your head and heart, monitor breath, sweat, that kind of thing, and then show you pictures - kind-of-like a lie detector test??. As you said, there are no right or wrong answers, and it may help them find out what is wrong, and if it can be fixed.

I would also look to your medications for some answers, there may be some side effects (drowsiness could be one), so a chat with your pharmacist may be in order. Maybe two of them don't get along well with each other, and you are the one suffering

Good luck !

 

[Marguerite53]

Can't answer anything about the tests, but as I read your thread, I had a few thoughts. First, pump-head is a real possibility but let's think outside the box a little.

Are you of the age where you might be needing some extra calcium? You would have to ask your cardiologist about dosage, please, but muscles are very sensitive to calcium deficiency. Your eye muscles may be clueing you in to this. Also, I wonder if a chiropractic adjustment might be a good idea. Many of us have lingering neck or back troubles, sometimes we don't even realize we have troubles. But the spine is responsible for carrying so much information throughout the body, if by chance you are having a little pinching for an out of place disc, or something just not quite straight after having been "broken in half" maybe a little tweaking there might help.

Don't worry about those tests. They will probably be kind of fun!

Best wishes. Please keep us posted.

Marguerite