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Posted 8/31/2006 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Is anyone else having problems with their speech? Back in May, when my symptoms first began (for this year, anyway), my husband started telling me that I was slurring my speech and mumbling. He keeps asking me to repeat myself and tells me to open my mouth wider when I talk. I thought at first that he was going deaf, but now I know that it is me.

There are many times when I'll try to talk, and it's like my tongue and mouth is not working properly. I just can't get the words out right. Even the first neurologist I saw noticed this and mentioned it as mild dysarthria in his report.

Last night, I was having a lot of trouble during the evening class I teach. I was really tired from having been at work all day to begin with, and when I was trying to lecture, I sounded like I was drunk about half the time. My tongue kept getting tangled up and on four separate occassions, I lost the word I was trying to remember. I kind of laughed it off and my students (who I've had in other classes in the past) tried to help me remember the words I needed, but it was really embarrassing. And scary. Because my voice is my job and if I can't talk, I can't teach. This is worrying me more than any other part of this whole ordeal.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on what I can do?

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Posted 8/31/2006 3:11 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, your doctor named it well.  And it often happens to me in situations such as you describe -- you're tired, you're in front of an audience..and if it happens once, you get tense, and that's almost a guarantee that it will happen again.

Only thing I've ever done is slow down, think before I speak, and speak slowly.  I'm sure some of the others will have more helpful advice. And of course, let your doctor know if it seems to be increasing.

Posted 8/31/2006 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Lisa

I have those probs as well and agree with Uppity, it's usually when i get tired and/or in a hurry. If i slow down...think it thru...and FOCUS i'm ok. There still may be a prob, but it's not so bad. Mine isn't constant in that i don't always do it. I hope u'rs isn't either! I have times when it along with other probs are more pronounced and then times that it's great! Best wishes to u!

rhonda
Posted 8/31/2006 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Mike has this problem too, mostly when he's tired. Seems to be a periodic thing for him and if he slows down when he's talking and not try to say too many words in one breath it seems to help. If it is becoming a troublesome problem for you, you could ask your doctor if speech therapy might help. Depending on the cause of the problem, they can teach you techniques and exercises to try to make it better. Best of luck and I hope the problem doesn't interfere too much with your teaching.

Kimber
Posted 9/14/2006 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello after having a stroke I experienced the same problems that you have I do speech therapy at least 2 times a week and it helps me a lot to keep my speech in order when I have delays and cant remember things as well. Focusing and speech therapy is very good for speech and irregular thought patterns that may come about through tiredness. You may also want to consult someone on focus exercises that can be persormed at home and speech therapies that can be done at home as well from a local rehabilitation facility. Take care and have a good day. Phoelona
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