Questions about ataxia.

[volvo02]

My name is Max. I have ataxia. Does anyone suffer with slurred speech like I do with ataxia.

[neta]

Hi Max, Yes slurred speech is often one of the "marvelous" features of ataxia. It has a fancy Greek name --dysharthia--- I think. For some of us , its not so much as slurred as difficult speech. I went to a speech therapist (USA) who recommended reading aloud and various exercises, Increasingly, I find people saying, "what" to me. Fatigue, alcohol, concentration( like walking) and stress make it more challenging. Feel good N

[xray25]

hi max yes i get slurred speech more so when tired

[sajnaj]

Hi Max

My son has a rare progressive ataxia with slurred speech for about 8 yrs now

[february]

Dear Max, Yes, I have slurred speech with my ataxia. Also, the longer I try to talk, the worse my speech becomes, as it's exhausting ! I see a speech therapist a couple times a year and she has been very helpful (with exercises to do, etc.). I get that "deer in the headlights" look from people sometimes when trying to talk to them...,ha!, especially people that don't know I have ataxia! I just tell them I have a neurological condition that causes me to slur my speech, therefore if they want me to repeat something, just ask! They usually say, "you're doing fine", but I know better...,ha! Slurred speech is just one of the hazards of ataxia! My best to you..., ;o)

[Hidden in reply to february]

I have to how surprised and happy seeing in print someone else talk about identical speech difficulties assume me.

I'm 38 and was diagnosed with a very loosely defined CA at the age of 13/14.

While I'm worring myself over PiP to see my words mirrored in print, maybe bizarrely makes me tearily happy

[Pukkaone]

My speech is slurred - which I personally find the worst symptom. I assume everyone thinks I'm stupid.

[SussexDodo]

Yes, I do, Max. It was one of the first signs of my (inherited) Cerebellar Ataxia over 13 years ago. Like a lot of other people with Ataxia, some people thought I'd been drinking too much but not so. Having had some neuro physio treatment, I now know to pause and breathe when trying to put sentences together and it works.

If it helps any, using this technique, I'm still doing a lot of public speaking and appear regularly on the Open University student radio and on their live streamed TV programmes as a student with 'disabilities'.

Hope that helps a bit.

[LBenyon]

hi Max I'm Lorraine from Hampshire.I think most people with ataxia have slurred speech,mine is worse with any illness,i have told close friends if they cannot understand me(which is very rare) to tell me and I will talk slower so they can understand me!!

[sylviagreenhalgh]

yes I have slurred speech- I see the speech and language therapist which helps me with speaking and swallowing. I have to concentrate hard when speaking- if I am tired or trying to speak quickly it is a problem especially with certain words. ask your GP to refer you

[volvo02]

Most of my slurred speech is at night . When I'm tired. Don't go to speech therapy anymore.

[silkwood]

My speech is staccato and not much of it now but it is years later.

[goodenough]

Yes, I have slurred speech and really have to concentrate when talking which can be exhausting. Goodenough