Stutter as a PD symptom

[Mischl]

I am relatively new to this forum and this is the first time that I am posting something.

I am 58 years old and was dx with PD approx. 2 years ago. I started with Azilect 1mg per day which helped a little bit but not for long. Now and since 4 months I am on half a Madopar tablet 250mg for 3 x per day and I feel much better. Only occasional mild tremors, my dexterity has much improved and my gait is almost normal. Still suffering from frequent foot cramps, usually in the evenings. At this stage I feel PD is manageable, we have to see for how long that is.

One thing that bothers me a lot is frequent stuttering, especially when under stress. I still work and I have to deal a lot with clients face to face and this is often quite embarrassing. Anyone else experiences similar symptoms?

[MerckK]

The best remedy for this disease is to manage stress and be cool and calm. I suggest you to have speech therapy or sing with the music loudly, read newspaper loudly, read sanskrit, which will help you in tongue twisting and clarity of speech. Yoga is the best exercise to do meditation and to keep you calm.

For cramps, apply sesame oil with gentle massage.

[Mischl in reply to MerckK]

Thanks MerckK, appreciate your advise. I will try the sesame oil for the cramps. Seeing a speech therapist is kind of difficult for me as I live on a resort island In Thailand. I would have to fly down to Bangkok for that which is quite unpractical. I will try to manage my stress as good as I can and yes, yoga is a great idea.

[Maxjc]

Hi Mmmischlllllll...pardon my stutter !!

Mee tooooo! I usually get stuck on second syllable but have noticed that there's no such problems when I am talking to myself! I too was DX at 56.

Lots of changes to adapt to...and they are still coming...keeping an open, positive mind is esssssential. A little bit of radical acccccceptance really helps. Don't waste any of your good energy on how people perceive your speeeeeech proproblems!! That's their problem.

As they say in these parts....

Tóg go bóg é.......take it softly!

Love and light

Max

[7AnneMac7]

Good Morning from the South Eastern USA.

I am a care partner to my husband, PWP, dx at age 53. I am also a Speech-Language pathologist who is working in our Parkinson’s community.

I do not do telepractice but maybe there is an SLP who could work with you via Skype, etc. Check the ASHA website for practitioners who list telepractice/fluency disorders.

I will give you one tool to work with until you can find someone - pacing. Practice reading out loud using a metronome app. Rapid rate of speech, just like festination in walking is the culprit. To pace AND to use pauses while reading are good tools to practice. Carry-over into conversation takes intentionality, purposefully using these tools. And Practice!

I hope you can find someone to help you. Remaining in the workforce is very important. My husband is still working but it is becoming more challenging for him.

All the Best

[ppvanruit]

Yes I recognize that. I used to stutter a lot especially under stress. Since I take Carpadopa Levadopa it is over. An hour before a speaking arrangement I take have a pil extra . Don't forget brain food: oil pills. And relax your mind with high tensity exercises. That also stimulates the blood flow to the brain. I do it an hour a day and I feel great. Kindly PvR

[20fatcats]

Yes it has ruined my business. Im retired now. stuttering is so hard to cope with.i have started tapping 4 big black dots in a row when I speak and then taking a breath. My speech therapist said to. I have a peice of paper with them on. It does help.