Why am I slurring it's embarrassing

[Cwats0789]

So recently I have been slurring Infront of my family when talking to my dad and friends all of a sudden and I am trying to work out why. When the slurring happens I usually try to repeat the word several times.

Here is what I have medically and what I do in a day.

Play the Xbox for more than 6 hours straight.

I use a inhaler.

I have never smoked or vaped.

I don't eat healthy (I am not fat but skinny not like bony skinny).

I don't drink much in the day.

I have way to mutch sugar in my breakfast everyday (it's to tasty and addictive)

I have no idea why this is happening please help me find out what it is and how to fix it

[peterallison]

I have a problem with my speech, can be worse at certain times, I have to think, before I say a sentence. This has just come about this past couple of years, and as my job was (until I had to stop working last July) dealing with the public as a market trader, it was noticeable... to me. I have Just recently been referred to a speech therapist, but not had the app yet. Just take your time, I know, easier said than done. But if you are really worried about it, go see you GP, and ask for a referral, I did. is all I can say, and to be honest, the diet/ how you fill your day prob has zero effect, I just sit and watch TV/PC most of the day

Peter

[valrosie in reply to peterallison]

I've recently started to slur more. Yes it's embarrassing - is she drunk etc. I also tend to watch TV rather than join in conversation. I also find handwriting a real problem, and prefer to communicate by email or messenger, as for phone calls - I dread answering them after about 1.00 pm as I'm really tired by then. Ataxia UK sent me really useful little cards to hand out saying 'I am not drunk, I may slur, I may fall etc ... but I have a medical condition'. Even my Dr was impressed but she has very little knowledge of the condition, so I have no idea how this will progress. Sorry to sound so negative, but I need to rant sometimes and when you start to lose your speech it's impossible!

[peterallison in reply to valrosie]

yes, it gets embarrassing, and I find on some words, I tend to stutter a tad, my family and girlfriend fully understand it. What I have found is that, say when out driving (chauffeured) I see something, and want to say, I do not, as it may come out wrong... then the "moment" has passed. My handwriting is as bad as the scribbles of the GP at times, and I to also prefer to communicate through typing, as I find I can express myself more. The poor lady who reads my online UC Journal, said some of the messages are like mini "War and Peace" stories/rants

[Cupcake12345]

Slurring was the first symptom that made me see a neurologist. Nothing has helped, not even speech therapy, although acupuncture has made a noticeable difference. I have found being tired makes it worse, so I make any phone calls in the morning.

[FFNick]

After joining Ataxia UK, they send little cards explaining why your speech is slurred, for you to give to others. Slurred speech is due to ataxia. My speech therapist (misnomer) gave me some vocal exercises.

Android natively speaks text. Apple use an expensive app. Android auto guesses word and next word. Apple use that expensive app. Being prepared for when your speech becomes unintelligible. Dr. Stephen Hawkins, not there yet!

[peterallison in reply to FFNick]

Yes, a speech therapist is a misnomer, I have not had the pleasure of meeting one yet, but am just waiting for the app. I dare not get an Alexa, for fear of rejection, lol and have "asked Google", when on my phone, but it did not fully understand me

[CarerNeil]

My wife suffers from MS & undiagnosed (so far) Cerebellar Ataxia. She originally sounded like she suffered from Cerebral Palsy before she was allocated a Speech Therapist. It made an enormous difference - initially, she 'progressed' to only sounding like a drunk, and has persisted with her daily exercises and has regained much of her speech capability, albeit a bit more slowly than it used to be. Her confidence will take longer to repair, though. As mentioned in other posts, fatigue plays a huge part, as does confidence, and believe it or not, breathing! The speech exercises do work. We realised this on a long cruise when I realised I was struggling to understand my wife again. Transpired she hadn't done her exercises as 'she was on holiday'. Sadly, the Ataxia wasn't on holiday, so we got her back on the exercises & within a week or so she was back to 'normal'.

Sorry for the ramble - it's your problem I should address. If I was you, I'd definitely get to my GP asap & get a referral to whomever the GP sees fit to refer you to. I say this as I don't know if it's Neurologist first, or the Speech Therapist. But don't delay! There could be many reasons, and loads that are more easily solvable. Best of luck!

Someone else mentioned the fatigue factor. I'm not sure if this applies to you, but it's the sort of pattern you should be trying to look for. It helps, for diagnosis. My wife's OT addressed this by asking her to have a 1 hour nap in the afternoon. It definitely helps, and is now usually a 2 hour nap!

[jojoducky]

I too slur my speech, it makes me feel too embarrassed to make even the shortest of phone calls because people cannot tell what I am saying. Even my husband cannot understand me, it's getting me so down, I cannot see the point of being here sometimes. I don't want to upset anyone, I just feel so alone. sorry. joan x

[Litty]

Unfortunately it is one of the joys of ataxia and the old saying of 'use it or lose it’ I also choke, but say anything aloud - talk to your Xbox, play iPod and sing, talk to radio, read emails. GP can refer you to speech therapist x