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test for memory loss..doctor wanted but couldnt afford

hurtingallthetimet

Senior Member
Messages
612
i wish i could remeber what kind of test it was but doctor sent me for a test for my short term memory being so bad...long term still good it seems...and mirgranes getting worse

but our insurance has doubled everything...copays now pcp $40.00 specialist $50.00
deductible is $2,000 per family member and $4,000 per member out network...

no vision now, dental coverage really not anything now...its horrible...

so i couldnt do the test because id have to pay $2,000

has anyone had a test that sounds like this? if so what was it? and was it worth it if you paid alot?

thanks
 

Calathea

Senior Member
Messages
1,261
I had a test maybe ten years ago. They asked if I was the carer for the patient, they were only used to dealing with elderly people with Alzheimers. They had no idea how to deal with or test for memory problems, selectively ignored the tests I failed, didn't test me on anything for long enough for the problems to kick in, and then decided that I was basically just a bit thick with a normal memory (whereas if they'd checked what my IQ was before getting ME, they'd have noticed the problem). It's not as if you get treatment out of it, either. So I don't think it was worth it.
 

taniaaust1

Senior Member
Messages
13,054
Location
Sth Australia
Dont bother about getting that test. It will be a waste of your money.

I had a stupid social worker want to do a memory test of me (cause I kept telling her my memory was causing me issues eg making me burn my meals). She then brought along the memory test for Alzheimers. She then coaxed me to get the right answers eg telling me to try again as i'd got answer wrong (day of week or something). It also had questions like "do you know where you are right now?" .. as it was a home visit to my home in which I'd lived for 15 years.. yeah I could give her the right address!!!

Anyway.. she ended up telling me I past the test with flying colours and then used it to try to "prove" to me that I didnt at all have the memory issues I was telling her I have. The issues with memory and the areas of the issues, that those with ME have, may be different from Alzheimers too. I truely dont think that is a suitable test to show up our issues properly... all it may do is prove your memory is great to another esp if you are having a better day. It could be used against you to say that your memory issues must be "psychologicial" if you pass an Alzheimers test.

Memory issues are normal in FM/ME/CFS......In case you are worrying over your memory, I dont think you have anything more abnormal then any of the rest of us here going on with it. (You do post a bit at this site and from your posts, it dont appear that you have something like Alzheimers). I suggest to try not to stress too much out about memory issues.
 

alex3619

Senior Member
Messages
13,810
Location
Logan, Queensland, Australia
There was a discussion of this at a CFSAC meeting in, I think, 2009. Our memory deficits are very specific, we need a test that addresses exactly those deficits. There is a thread on this here somewhere, or at least the CFSAC meeting. If the test is not specific for the kinds of deficits we have its a waste of effort and money, and may do more harm than good by showing what problems you don't have. There is no substitute for researching this adequately. Maybe someone who recalls the CFSAC meeting better can comment further. This was recorded, the video link is here somewhere. Bye, Alex
 

Enid

Senior Member
Messages
3,309
Location
UK
Yes I agree alex - very specific - and nothing to do at all with any sort of loss of neurons. I couldn't recognise names, faces nor recall my own name at one stage when very ill. Now health somewhat improved all is restored and I've a better memory/recall than most of my own very fit family.
 

caledonia

Senior Member
Short term memory loss with normal long term memory is a symptom of B12 deficiency.

One of the specific problems with ME/CFS memory is that the memory doesn't get made in the first place because of concentration problems.

I had a neuropsych test done for disability that showed this sort of problem.

CoQ10 - 100mg daily works really well for me for concentration.

I don't see the point of doing any kind of memory test, unless it's for disability.
 

hurtingallthetimet

Senior Member
Messages
612
thanks for the advice and info....sounds like the test wouldnt be of any use if i had of had it..

ive asked dcotor several times how my short term can be so bad, but my long term good...i mean long term memorys start as short term...right??? i dont understand it at all....i was just told that it is common in fibro/cfs...but still im confused on it...

or maybe its just that i get overwhelmed and it seems it the short term memory involved like forgetitng food on stove, forget burning candles, forget where im going etc....and words to say...forget how to say or spell words alot...ive mentiioned i was very embarassed at first to even post on the support boards im on because my spelling and format is so horrible now....youd think more reasearch would be done into these issues...
 

caledonia

Senior Member
What about if you have problems with short-term memory, medium-term memory and long-term memory?

I would vote for B12 deficiency for any kind of memory problem. I would guess poor methylation is involved as well, since they're all intertwined.

Which reminds me. I play guitar and sometimes I can pull out songs that I learned 20 years ago and play them quite well. But most of the time, I can't remember them at all. This makes me think the memories are still in there, I'm just having trouble accessing them.
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
I have been studying a language and this is a test of both short and long term memory. It is much harder for me to "lay down" short term memory than most, but once I spend enough time memorizing something (using various tricks), it seems to stick as well as with other students.

I think this inability to "lay down" short term memory is well recognized in ME/CFS patients, but I was happy to learn that I could "do it." if I used tricks and spent enough time at it.

We don't spend time or use tricks for most things that would normally go into short term memory, so they don't stick. All the "what did I come into the kitchen for?" experiences would probably change if you spent 5 or 10 minutes before going to the kitchen trying to lay down the memory.

Of course this isn't practical in daily life, but it is interesting that it is usually possible to over-ride the inability to make short term memories in cases where we really need to.

Sushi

 
Messages
71
All it will do is confirm if you do have memory problems and they'll give you more information about it. You'd be better off to invest in one of those programs like Luminosity Brain Training or consulting with a nutritionist about dietary and supplement changes that might help. All of this will probably cost much less than $2,000 and it will actually help improve your memory or keep it at a stable level. The test will just inform you of what you already know and won't fix anything.

All the best, God bless you. :hug: