I decided to make an appointment with my DH neuro, of course it has been 8months ago when my hubby had the allday long dreadful test done. I followed up with the doc after that appointment to get the results, but because of the rapid decline I decided to make an appointment to discuss this since the neurologist suggested I take my husband back to deal with massive denial, etc. I called and made an appointment for this coming Monday and they want to discuss concerns and they did tell me that I could make another appointment for my husband to be retested just to see where he is today with the disease, they feel that the MMSE is not really enough to determine because it is so brief and one day is sometimes better than others. Has anyone went back for the allday testing after inital diagnoses and does it matter? My insurance company will pay for it and I am thinking since we have not yet been approved for Long Term Disability this may help.
My husband has had the all day testing done and we were told that he could be retested in about a year to check on his progression (he has FTD) but it would not need to be an all day test. Did they say it would be all day? My husband was just recently approved for Long Term Disability (after his short term disability expired) and I believe the neuropsych report made all the difference.
We did the initial neuropsych test during the 2 or 3 month time period right at the beginning when the dx looked like it might be AD. During that time we filed the papers for Social Security and Long Term Disability. About a year later, SS was questioning the decision and I had it done again independently. I think that at the time it was definitely worth the effort. We've not had it done since because with the progression and doctor's history the disease is apparent and further testing wouldn't provide us with any necessary information. At some point, DH's symptoms just passed the point of anyone questioning things. Last summer, both the long term disability and SS sent out notices of review. The neurologist's office sent office records and notes from our every 6 month visits. Never heard from either SS or LTD folks again. I was advised by someone who knows this stuff that we should NEVER not see a doctor on a regular basis even though they may not be anything he can do for us. LTD and SS want to see that there is a need for medical attention. Not having regular medical appointments would send up red flags.
I agree with everyone's comments that regular neuropysch testing is worth it, particularly if long-term disability and/or SS disability are involved. In fact, got a letter from my DH's long term carrier today reminding me that they hadn't received the annual report, and it's because we are going in Feb. this year, not January, but they definitely notice! On the other hand, the last time I spoke with someone at social security, she told me she was moving my husband to five-year review periods because of the nature of the disease, but his private insurance carrier still does annual reviews. This is the first time that we'll be filing with medicare, so don't know if they pay for all or part of it.