Speech Dysfunction
Speech dysfunction can affect nearly 51% of MS patients at some point during their illness. Speech dysfunction can look different for many people. Have you ever experienced any of the following and if so, what was/is your experience like?
- Forgetting a word, phrase or name
- Calling something or someone a different name
- Stuttering
- Voice becomes too loud or too soft
- Speech becomes slurred
- Taking long pauses between words or phrases
- Other
Taking long pauses between words or phrases trying to complete my thought!
I find it more frustrating because usually if I pause to try and complete what I am trying to say, I lose my train of thought and have to play charades to try and figure out the word I am looking for. 
That is hard and frustrating for sure. This affects your ability to communicate effectively in a major way so I know being misunderstood often due to this symptom is no help to you at all. I hate that you have to go through this. No matter what, give yourself grace, take your time, and my patient with yourself. You're doing the best that you can. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Warmly, Latoya (Team Member)
All of the above.
Experiencing all of these is a lot. Is there anything you do that helps you cope or manage these symptoms when speaking? Best, Latoya (Team Member)
I have trouble word finding and definitely with pauses and slurring my words. Sometimes it's super noticeable but I do have other times when it's just slight enough to be an annoyance and make me self-conscious. You may be able to notice this in this recent reel of me on our Instagram, particularly early in the video I slur some and also have trouble getting some words out: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtH3lcYrZW_/
Slow speaking sometime
