My doctor wants me to see a neuropsychologist for trying not to obsess over RLS. I sat and cried in his office this morning trying to tell him what it is like to always be thinking remembering to take the meds, not running out of the meds, trying to adjust when I can sit/stand, please just cut my legs off and be done with it, etc.
I looked up neuropsychologist on the web and it sounds like someone who works with "crazy brains." I'm not crazy; I just obsess over the RLS.
Has anyone worked with a neuropsychologist before?
Thanks, Rachel
Neuropsychologist
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ViewsAskew
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Hi Rachel,
I can see that this would be quite a shock to hear! I wonder, though, if he suggested a neuropsychologist because he thought they would be better equipped to understand both your physical/medication issues (with RLS) and how you are feeling about the whole thing. Maybe he just really sees that you are hurting and wants to help, not thinking you are crazy. Maybe he thought a regular psychologist wouldn't have enough medical background to understand what you go through every day.
I have never worked with one, but would do so if my doctor thought it would help. I tend to be relatively open to this type of thing, though, assuming that if it helps me function better, I'm a happy camper. I also believe that all psychologists are not right for every person, so if you go, please go with an open mind, but don't stay if you feel this person is completely at odds with you.
I can see that this would be quite a shock to hear! I wonder, though, if he suggested a neuropsychologist because he thought they would be better equipped to understand both your physical/medication issues (with RLS) and how you are feeling about the whole thing. Maybe he just really sees that you are hurting and wants to help, not thinking you are crazy. Maybe he thought a regular psychologist wouldn't have enough medical background to understand what you go through every day.
I have never worked with one, but would do so if my doctor thought it would help. I tend to be relatively open to this type of thing, though, assuming that if it helps me function better, I'm a happy camper. I also believe that all psychologists are not right for every person, so if you go, please go with an open mind, but don't stay if you feel this person is completely at odds with you.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
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SquirmingSusan
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Hi Rachel,
You're in good company, that is if you like my company.
Except my doctor wanted me to see a neuropsychopharmacologist. That adds one more level of expertise.
Of course you're obsessing about RLS. It's impossible not to when you don't get good relief. A lot of doctors just don't get that. It's like telling someone who's in labor to not obsess about it. But I guess I would try not to take it the wrong way, which is what I ALWAYS do. I think Ann is right that your doctor probably sees you in some psychic pain, and wants to help. A psychologist who specializes in working with people with neurological conditions is probably a good person to help you learn coping skills, should you decide that you need that.
Now that I'm sleeping better, I'm starting to come out of my own obsession with RLS. Since January that's about all I've been able to think of. Now I'm sewing again, and doing fabric art. When my head is really back on straight I'll start writing for my website again.
Best wishes with it all, Rachel.
You're in good company, that is if you like my company.
Except my doctor wanted me to see a neuropsychopharmacologist. That adds one more level of expertise.
Of course you're obsessing about RLS. It's impossible not to when you don't get good relief. A lot of doctors just don't get that. It's like telling someone who's in labor to not obsess about it. But I guess I would try not to take it the wrong way, which is what I ALWAYS do. I think Ann is right that your doctor probably sees you in some psychic pain, and wants to help. A psychologist who specializes in working with people with neurological conditions is probably a good person to help you learn coping skills, should you decide that you need that.
Now that I'm sleeping better, I'm starting to come out of my own obsession with RLS. Since January that's about all I've been able to think of. Now I'm sewing again, and doing fabric art. When my head is really back on straight I'll start writing for my website again.
Best wishes with it all, Rachel.
Susan
R,
Have had some professional contact with neuropsychologists. Problem is with many "specialists" they are often hard to find and often do not do lots of therapy themselves but may work as part of a team with other mental health professionals. I think the most important factor is to find someone, regardless of specialty, who has some expertise in the presenting complaint such as anxiety related to health issues etc. who is competent, understanding, and with whom you are able to develope a comfortable working relationship. If that is a neuropsychologist, fine. If it is a psychologist, fine. If it is a social worker, fine. Unfortunately, we have, as individuals and a society, come to attach too much stigma with mental health versus physical health acceptance--not that they are necessarily different. So, if this type and level of intervention will be of benefit to you then go for it....because you ARE worth it. Best wishes.
Have had some professional contact with neuropsychologists. Problem is with many "specialists" they are often hard to find and often do not do lots of therapy themselves but may work as part of a team with other mental health professionals. I think the most important factor is to find someone, regardless of specialty, who has some expertise in the presenting complaint such as anxiety related to health issues etc. who is competent, understanding, and with whom you are able to develope a comfortable working relationship. If that is a neuropsychologist, fine. If it is a psychologist, fine. If it is a social worker, fine. Unfortunately, we have, as individuals and a society, come to attach too much stigma with mental health versus physical health acceptance--not that they are necessarily different. So, if this type and level of intervention will be of benefit to you then go for it....because you ARE worth it. Best wishes.
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Polar Bear
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I posted a few months ago about my boyfriend, Dean who has severe RLS. He was a police officer for 28 years and the fatigue brought on by rls cost him his job because he couldn't think straight.
As for the neuropsych - that's the doctor the police dept sent him to for testing to determine whether or not he was fit for duty. Obviously, he didn't pass. He got to the point where he could barely write his name, much less do testing with math and logic on it.
I don't see the point in you going to this type of "doctor" because your gp doesn't know a thing about rls or what kind of havoc it can bring into your life. I don't have it, but I've lived with it for years and it is destructive.
If you feel you need counseling, seek help, but I don't think a neuropsych is the right person.
As for an update on Dean, he's doing really great now and I'm doing a separate post in the non-pharmaceutical section. Chiropractor and prayer have made a significant difference.
As for the neuropsych - that's the doctor the police dept sent him to for testing to determine whether or not he was fit for duty. Obviously, he didn't pass. He got to the point where he could barely write his name, much less do testing with math and logic on it.
I don't see the point in you going to this type of "doctor" because your gp doesn't know a thing about rls or what kind of havoc it can bring into your life. I don't have it, but I've lived with it for years and it is destructive.
If you feel you need counseling, seek help, but I don't think a neuropsych is the right person.
As for an update on Dean, he's doing really great now and I'm doing a separate post in the non-pharmaceutical section. Chiropractor and prayer have made a significant difference.
Thank you all for your concern. And of course I like your company, Susan.
I've been to see him twice. He said that even without the RLS being the recommendation, I still have enough issues to work on without it.
Both my regular doctor and this doctor want me to increase my Zoloft from 100 mgs. to 150 mgs. daily. Can somebody help my find out what Dr. B. thinks about this? I know antidepressants can make RLS worse sometimes which kind of defeats the purpose.
If somebody could please check on that for me , I would appreciate it.
Thanks Rachel
I've been to see him twice. He said that even without the RLS being the recommendation, I still have enough issues to work on without it.
Both my regular doctor and this doctor want me to increase my Zoloft from 100 mgs. to 150 mgs. daily. Can somebody help my find out what Dr. B. thinks about this? I know antidepressants can make RLS worse sometimes which kind of defeats the purpose.
If somebody could please check on that for me , I would appreciate it.
Thanks Rachel
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ViewsAskew
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Rachel, all ADs can be problematic. But, some people take them without problems.
Have you noticed that Zoloft makes the RLS worse? If not, this increase may not bother you.
The basic rule that Dr B outlines is as follows:
1. If you can avoid any AD, do so.
2. If you can't, try Wellbutrin first. Or despiramine or trazedone. Since nortriptyline and prtoriptyline are related to despiramine, it's possible that these will not bother RLS, but no studies have been done.
3. If you still need an AD and none of those work for your set of symptoms, then you just have to take more RLS meds to "cover" the RLS symptoms.
Hope that helps.
Have you noticed that Zoloft makes the RLS worse? If not, this increase may not bother you.
The basic rule that Dr B outlines is as follows:
1. If you can avoid any AD, do so.
2. If you can't, try Wellbutrin first. Or despiramine or trazedone. Since nortriptyline and prtoriptyline are related to despiramine, it's possible that these will not bother RLS, but no studies have been done.
3. If you still need an AD and none of those work for your set of symptoms, then you just have to take more RLS meds to "cover" the RLS symptoms.
Hope that helps.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
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SquirmingSusan
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Rachel, it's good to hear from you again. Sorry you're still struggling with all this, though.
Zoloft is one of the antidepressants that can make RLS worse. I don't know if raising the dosage will make it "more worse" though. You can ask your doc about adding a small dose of Wellbutrin to offset some of the bad effects of the Zoloft, too. I do that with my Effexor and it does seem to help. I do get tired of taking so many meds, sigh. It really is difficult to have depression as well as RLS.
It's bad enough with just the RLS to find effective treatment.
You can write to Dr. B at: somno@earthlink.net He's amazing about answering emails, and will usually write back the same day. It doesn't matter if he knows you or not, or if you're a patient or not.
Of course the neuropsychologist thinks you need to come back. Any type of psychologists will want you to come back. And if you're human, and I'm sure you are, there will always be issues to work on. But it's up to you to decide if you want to work on them, or live with them.
My question is: Are you getting good treatment for your RLS? If not, you're psychological state isn't likely to improve.
Good luck with it!
Zoloft is one of the antidepressants that can make RLS worse. I don't know if raising the dosage will make it "more worse" though. You can ask your doc about adding a small dose of Wellbutrin to offset some of the bad effects of the Zoloft, too. I do that with my Effexor and it does seem to help. I do get tired of taking so many meds, sigh. It really is difficult to have depression as well as RLS.
It's bad enough with just the RLS to find effective treatment.
You can write to Dr. B at: somno@earthlink.net He's amazing about answering emails, and will usually write back the same day. It doesn't matter if he knows you or not, or if you're a patient or not.
Of course the neuropsychologist thinks you need to come back. Any type of psychologists will want you to come back. And if you're human, and I'm sure you are, there will always be issues to work on. But it's up to you to decide if you want to work on them, or live with them.
My question is: Are you getting good treatment for your RLS? If not, you're psychological state isn't likely to improve.
Good luck with it!
Susan