This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello,

I have a question about speech problems. Sometimes when I am trying to speak I will slur my words or not be able to think of a specific word to describe something that I would normally know.

I was speaking with a customer service rep today and I was trying to ask her a question. I could not put my question into words no matter how hard I tried. I knew what I wanted to say I just could not say it. So I kept trying to converse with this person and on about the fourth attempt what I said made sense. She probably thought I was nuts. I have had this happen before but not to this extent. I am someone that is still able and tries their hardest to hide thier MS from others. I keep going over what happened today in my mind. I hope something like this does not happen while I am at work. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks,

Alicia

Alicia,

Yes, I have had this happen! Not being able to find the word and say it is so frustrating. I also had the problem of starting a sentance and then not finishing it. Absolutely drove my husband bonkers! Stress and being tired made it worse. When I was working and involved in numerous meetings, I found that having a list of words which would be appropriate for the meeting was very helpful; also, a list of the names of people attending the meeting.

For whatever reason (maybe less stress), I seemed to have "outgrown" that MS problem.

Sharon

Sharon is right about one thing. I think once I started to accept that everyone knew I had it, it didn't necessarily mean I found the words any quicker, I just knew that everyone understood what it meant and that they never were looking at me like a one-eyed freak! So taking some of the fear out of the equation seemed to make it easier for me. I still get that fairly frequently. Not the slurring so much, but not finding the right word. There are times I sound like someone from another country just learning English the way I'll use sixteen words to describe something that has it's own word.

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http://myhopefuljourneyintoactualmsreco ... ogspot.com

Yes I had this symptom for about 2 years. I became very introverted and afraid to speak to people because for me, it became quite marked. I would say something like "could you open the wonder" instead of "window". Or "I saw Ann at that marking last night" instead of "meeting".

Another related symptom would be that I'd name an opposite or a related term. Yet the right one would be in my head, but the wrong one would come out of my mouth. I found it very difficult to deal with. I was constantly getting a fright at what I'd say, and I felt it was very embarrasiong in work or with friends.

I get it now and again still, especially when I'm tired. But it passed for me and after a while I realised it had gone. Hope it passes for you soon too.

Yes, I do this too occasionally. But so does my girlfriend and she does not have MS!

Try not to worry about it too much. I think if you get anxious it's likely to get worse. Easier said than done....

Alicia,

This was one of the symptoms that came on first and most pronounced for me. I still do it quite often and it is very frustrating. I noticed that I try not to talk to people on the phone. I do better with email since you can check it before you hit the send button. Some of our customers at work think I am not friendly since I don't want to talk on the phone. I just don't like making a dunce out of myself so I avoid the situation. Maybe yours will pass.

CF

Yes, me too. Especially when I am tired. When the words go it is usually time to go to bed.

Since I live in Germany I speak German most of the time, and the German words get lost first. I can try putting in the English word and most people will understand, but I feel like some new immigrant.

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Bibo ergo sum

I think I slur my words when I get my blood pumping exercising but no one has ever said anything to me about it.

I would like to thank all of you for your responses.

Alicia

Aside from general fatigue that I get daily, cognitive problems, including speech are my worst daily symptoms from MS.

I deal with at least 20 different people every day at work, and I have to talk alot. I mix up and forget words that I have used a million times before in explanations to patients. It is frustrating and sometimes embarrassing.

I told a woman the other day, "I am going to put a drop of alcohol in your eye." When I saw the look of shock on her face I realized what I said and corrected it to "anesthetic", but the lady probably thought I was an idiot

Sometimes I wish we could wear a patch on our clothes that says "I HAVE MS. I SAY DUMB THINGS SOMETIMES AND I AM PROBABLY TIRED! GO EASY ON ME!"