First day of being signed off work today. Doctors note says till end of March, but my caring boss is adamant that I’ll be well enough to come back to work next Wednesday (no idea why he’s got that in his head).
I’ve just been reflecting on the classes I’ve been teaching since December, and the weird thing going on with my speech.
I’ve been so focused on the burning hell that is my legs, that I’ve not stopped to think about the weirdness going on with my speech. I’ve not even thought to mention it to my GP.
The pattern of my words has changed. I get strange pauses, sometimes before a word, but sometimes during a word. The pauses are big enough for my brain to note ‘that was strange’. I also think I’m slurring words occasionally - I get some very odd looks from my students
I’ve just tried googling speech problems, but I can’t get a proper sense of whether this counts as something neurological. I maybe need to google later on, when I’m more awake. I think it probably does, so I’m popping it on my list for the neurologist.
Does this sort of problem ring bells with anyone? It doesn’t happen all the time. It’s occasional during my daytime classes, but more frequent in the night classes I teach.
Yes - its worth noting for the neurologist. Any changes to speech pattern, slurring etc. should be noted - I would say, call your Neuro’s office, send an email/letter explaining the change in speech pattern - don’t wait until the next scheduled appointment. Whenever an obvious ‘something weird’ happens, I always drop a note to my Neuro for my file.
Thank you. I’ve just got a list for me at the moment, so I don’t forget to tell the neurologist. I’m 9 weeks into the wait for my urgent neurology appointment, although I’ve been through this before and got discharged because I was getting better and the mri that took forever to get, didn’t show anything ‘relevant’. Did make me wonder what it showed that wasn’t relevant, but I couldn’t get a copy of it.
Are you in the UK? If so then if you request your MRI and records they do have to give you a copy. The hospital where it was done will have on their website how to request a copy.
I have some speech problems that are worse if I’m tired. They include repeating myself (just a few words) for no apparent reason. A stuttering/slurring thing (that whole ‘not got my teeth in properly’ type thing) and knowing the word I want to say, but not being able to get it to travel from my brain to my mouth. It doesn’t all happen at once or all the time. Gets worse also if I let it frustrate me.
Yes, in UK. I tried to get a copy twice, but failed. You had to fill in a form, and pay £5 (by cheque). Apparently the high staff turn over meant that the forms and cheques kept going missing. Cheques were never cashed, so I think it was just genuine admin chaos. I did make a half-hearted third attempt, by email, but when that member of staff left too, I just gave up.
Sounds really frustrating.
Mine’s more subtle. Just enough for my brain to think ‘that was weird’ and, I think, for my students to think I’m a bit tipsy.
