Slurred speech and excess saliva

[3100connecticut]

Been on ADT 12 months: 6 on Firmagon, 6 on Enantone. PSA is now 0.05. Notice two things in past few months both to do with my mouth. My speech has become noticeably slurred, difficulty with certain sounds, and excess saliva that drips and drools unless I consciously suck it back through my teech and tighten my lips. This is becoming really annoying. Haven't talked to doctor yet about this. Anyone on ADT experience this?

[Tall_Allen]

I think you should talk to a neurologist about those symptoms.

[3100connecticut in reply to Tall_Allen]

In fact, I did talk to my doctor, who sent me straight to a neurologist, who did an MRI of my brain which showed some small abnormalities but was not conclusive. She sent me to another neurologist at another hospital who did an incredible series of electro-something tests, electric shocks over my entire body, and concluded there was a strong possibility of early stage amyotrophic lateral scheloris (ALS - Lou Gherig's disease), a degenerative nerve disease with a 3-5 year life expectancy from the outset of symptoms. He said categorically the speech problem was unrelated to the ADT. I'm scheduled next week for yet more tests - blood, MRI - which he said might possibly turn up another cause of my symptoms but he seemed pretty certain about ALS. He said there was an FDA-approved drug called Riluzole which can slow progression of the disease but not cure it. Why not? Nothing to lose, right? Expensive as hell but my insurance will cover most of it.

Anyhow, I would like to use this opportunity to apologize for never responding to the many people who replied to my question about ADT and speech. I have been just too damned preoccupied. And I hope all those kind people will eventually see this response and accept my Thank You. I do not know the technicalities of how to respond to everyone all at once, although I'm sure there's a way. Someone did ask about my age and situation. I'm 79, a retired journalist living happily in Thailand with my Thai wife of 36 years.

[Tall_Allen in reply to 3100connecticut]

I'm so sorry to hear about that diagnosis. I hope the riluzole is able to slow it down. Are there any kids who may have it? I hope they come up with a CRISPR solution.

[3100connecticut in reply to Tall_Allen]

Yeah, a couple of kids out there, in their 50s now, out of touch for some time, their mother gone. Don't see any point in worrying them over my ALS diagnosis since the probability of inheritance is said to be only about 5 percent, and what good would really be derived from the knowledge? (Don't know what CRISPR is)

[Tall_Allen in reply to 3100connecticut]

CRISPR is the new gene editing technology. ALS seems like a perfect application for it.

[Jimhoy]

I can unequivocal state, that among many other strange side effects, ADT can effect your verbal agility (if you will). From what I have learned, it’s not common but there are enough brothers out there to justify the cognitive side effects of ADT.

It is probably the last “noticeable” part of “my” cognitive decline to date.... Not the slurring, but clearly indications that something is blocking / scrambling the signals from my brain to my mouth!!!! Not to beat this to death, but a couple examples in order of first occurrence;

* When answering a simple question, give a obviously..... completely wrong answer. Instantly knowing it was wrong, and amazed that it was said.

* Use a completely wrong word in a statement.

* Complete thoughts falling out of my head...... in the middle of a statement!

* Drawing a complete blank in a conversation. Not a single thing to say!!

In hindsight, this was happening (in a smaller scale) within months of starting ADT. Really bothered me but I really didn’t really give it much thought for some reason. It really kicked into high gear after about a year.

So.... yes, a check up from the neck up is in order but don’t expect a hole hell of a lot!!! Testing, talking, testing, talking, meds, meds worse, stop meds and ultimately nothing but you’re officially have a disability.... collect $1500.00 from Social Security and pass go!

THIS IS FROM MY EXPERIENCE ONLY!!!

[Hidden in reply to Jimhoy]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[wagscure259]

From the description of your symptoms it doesn’t seem as though your issue is hypersalivation but rather drooling with slurred speech. I would think the best course of action would be to discuss with your medical team getting a neurological consultation without letting too much time pass