Slurred speech diagnosis please
Discussion
Brief recent (relevant?) history:
In Nov 2006, OH diagnosed with schizophrenia & started appropriate drug regime & continuing with it with some dosage adjustments along the way. In Spring 2011 OH suffered bout of depression & put on another drug – still taking those.
Early Nov OH started coughing & thought it may be asthma ‘returning’ so she saw GP; he said it may be a virus & to see how it goes; I thought the cough was aggravated by eating & drinking i.e. swallowing. Soon after cough started, I noticed speech was slower/ more deliberate & slurred, & for a few years, OH had difficulty pronouncing some (longer) words & it may be worsening. Subsequently I noticed that OH seems to be noisier swallowing & may have difficulty swallowing.
I have a few theories but would be grateful for some observations from the extensive PH knowledge base, please, & whether there may be some possible link between 2006 diagnosis & current symptoms. Alcohol is definitly not one of my theories.
In Nov 2006, OH diagnosed with schizophrenia & started appropriate drug regime & continuing with it with some dosage adjustments along the way. In Spring 2011 OH suffered bout of depression & put on another drug – still taking those.
Early Nov OH started coughing & thought it may be asthma ‘returning’ so she saw GP; he said it may be a virus & to see how it goes; I thought the cough was aggravated by eating & drinking i.e. swallowing. Soon after cough started, I noticed speech was slower/ more deliberate & slurred, & for a few years, OH had difficulty pronouncing some (longer) words & it may be worsening. Subsequently I noticed that OH seems to be noisier swallowing & may have difficulty swallowing.
I have a few theories but would be grateful for some observations from the extensive PH knowledge base, please, & whether there may be some possible link between 2006 diagnosis & current symptoms. Alcohol is definitly not one of my theories.
This is proper medical stuff. Not internet diagnosis stuff.
Subject to that caveat, slurred speech AFAIK raises the possibility something interfering with the speech area of the brain - whether physical (a tumour) or chemical (medication) or physiological (damage from a minor stroke).
Swallowing issues sound like a neurological motor problem or an obstruction.
Do you really want to torture yourself with internet research though? Get to a doctor and take it from there. Really.
Subject to that caveat, slurred speech AFAIK raises the possibility something interfering with the speech area of the brain - whether physical (a tumour) or chemical (medication) or physiological (damage from a minor stroke).
Swallowing issues sound like a neurological motor problem or an obstruction.
Do you really want to torture yourself with internet research though? Get to a doctor and take it from there. Really.
Yes, thanks; as I said, that is the hope. I say 'hope' because, at the moment, OH doesn't think there's anything / much wrong with her so CPN is coming to see her tomorrow to, hopefully, start the proper medical process rolling.
May be, as you also suggest, leave it there for the moment & see how things transpire - tomorrow in particular.
May be, as you also suggest, leave it there for the moment & see how things transpire - tomorrow in particular.
Antipsychotics can have parkonsonian side effects or 'extrapyramidal symptoms' these can manifest as dystonias (twitching, involuntary muscle movements) that can effect the muscles of the neck and jaw, and cause some difficulty swallowing or slurred speech.
My money is on this.^
If the cause was vascular, i.e. stroke or TIA what you've noticed would have been an obvious change that happened suddenly.
My money is on this.^
If the cause was vascular, i.e. stroke or TIA what you've noticed would have been an obvious change that happened suddenly.
jackh707 said:
Antipsychotics can have parkonsonian side effects or 'extrapyramidal symptoms' these can manifest as dystonias (twitching, involuntary muscle movements) that can effect the muscles of the neck and jaw, and cause some difficulty swallowing or slurred speech.
My money is on this.^
If the cause was vascular, i.e. stroke or TIA what you've noticed would have been an obvious change that happened suddenly.
Both good points, but a gradual change could be due to other causes. Either way this needs looking at in person rather than internet diagnosis.My money is on this.^
If the cause was vascular, i.e. stroke or TIA what you've noticed would have been an obvious change that happened suddenly.
Just a quick update & to thank you all again for your observations & a further reminder that it was always my intention to seek 'proper' diagnosis. To that end, OH visited GP this morning & had a thorough going over including blood tests but she still doesn't seem to realise she has a problem & refused to let me go with her. However, her CPN later phoned & we each had quite a chat & now await the bloods results next week.
Antonia said:
Fingers crossed for nothing serious that can be easily fixed.Regrettably, that, Antonia, does not appear to be the case.
However, before I say more, in his letter to our GP, copied to OH, he says "reflexes were on the brisk side but plantars downgoing". From my Googling I vaguely know what he's talking about but I would like some explanation of the significance of these two phrases please - from the PH experts
rog3k said:
Firstly, many apologies for bringing this 'ancient' item near to the top of the list again but, at LONG last, OH has seen a neurologist.
Regrettably, that, Antonia, does not appear to be the case.
However, before I say more, in his letter to our GP, copied to OH, he says "reflexes were on the brisk side but plantars downgoing". From my Googling I vaguely know what he's talking about but I would like some explanation of the significance of these two phrases please - from the PH experts
Upper motor and Lower Motor neurone signs seen when examining a patient.Regrettably, that, Antonia, does not appear to be the case.
However, before I say more, in his letter to our GP, copied to OH, he says "reflexes were on the brisk side but plantars downgoing". From my Googling I vaguely know what he's talking about but I would like some explanation of the significance of these two phrases please - from the PH experts
Brisk reflexes and an upgoing plantar (or Babinski) response indicates an upper motor neurone lesion like a Stroke.
Absent reflexes, muscle fasciculations (twitiching) and atonal muscles mean lower motor neurone interuption, ie a cut nerve or trapped nerve beyond the spinal cord.
Complicated, yes, but your doctor should explain this stuff to you when a diagnosis is made.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff