Super Weird Testing Day, for those who haven't done it yet...

Jun 16, 2011

I decided I wanted to post my experiences with my psychiatric testing and my metabolic testing so that anyone who needs to go through it still will have more of an idea of what to expect.  I piggy-backed appointments because Portland is an hour and a half drive in good traffic, and my husband and I are both currently unemployed, so it keeps some costs down to try to do things like this at the same time. 

First the psyche test is about 600 questions in two parts with about 10 types of questions asked about 60 different ways.  Some of the questions had me laughing out loud, like "Do you believe evil voices are telling you what to do?"  A lot were asking how depressed you are.  While I was taking the test the secretary got a phone call from someone asking about their results and she told them the doctor had decided that they were too depressed to go through surgery yet and they wanted that stabilized before they could go forward.  I felt so bad for the person on the other end, because I know how much being overweight contributes to the problem, and how they must have felt when getting that news.  I was glad I had been taking my medication regularly recently, and in a way that I was out of work, because my stress and depression are greatly relieved right now.  Other questions were asking about my stress level and if I felt comfortable talking to others about my problems, and how shy I was.   I tried really hard to be honest about how I felt and who I am today.  I tried to imagine being told they want me on treatment first, and how that might push back surgery even further.  So even the test itself sort of messes with my mind.  I will have to go back in a couple of weeks to find out the results.

Metabolic testing was done at the hospital.  I had to fast for at least 8 hours prior, so I assumed it was going to another blood draw situation.  Instead I was in a sleep center atmosphere where I was asked to lay on a bed and put a fishbowl or astronaut style helmet attached to air hoses over me and breathe without moving for about 15 minutes.  The technician explained that the test worked by testing lung volume (?) and that when we have food in our stomach our metabolism is actually higher, so that is why they ask us to fast.  After the test was done she was nice to inform me of my results, even though she doesn't know what my doctor will do with them.  Normal is 100%, and I came in at 96%.  I guess that means it is slightly harder for me than normal to lose weight doing nothing.  I couldn't help but think that maybe that test was completely unneccessary being that I am overweight.  But what that probably means is that my calories in should be 4% less than what other people should eat.  I am just theorizing of course.

For those who might be wondering about my physical therapy situation, they found a physical therapist closer to me (still 45 minutes away) that can help me.   So I think the lesson here is to be your own advocate and if something seems wrong or unfair to speak up.

I am out to the 19th of next month for follow up appointments so far, so I know I have at least another 30 or so days minimum before I get to go forward with surgery.  I guess it is good to have some time before such a big change, I just feel like I can't move forward with any personal plans like employment until I get it out of the way.

0 Comments