MyMSTeam

Have you experienced speech problems with MS?

Yes, speech problems are quite common with MS. About 25 to 40 percent of people with MS experience speech difficulties at some point.

Many MyMSTeam members have shared similar experiences. One member described stuttering and having trouble finding words, saying they often feel Show Full Answer

Have you experienced speech problems with MS?

Yes, speech problems are quite common with MS. About 25 to 40 percent of people with MS experience speech difficulties at some point.

Many MyMSTeam members have shared similar experiences. One member described stuttering and having trouble finding words, saying they often feel afraid to talk to people. Another member mentioned having speech problems at night when tired, but finding their speech returns to normal in the morning.

Common speech issues with MS include:

* Slurred speech (dysarthria)
* Changes in voice quality
* Difficulty controlling volume
* Stuttering
* Trouble finding the right words
* Nasal-sounding speech
* Disrupted rhythm or robotic-sounding speech

These problems happen because MS lesions can damage parts of the brain that control the muscles involved in speech. The good news is that speech therapy can really help. A speech-language pathologist can work with you on exercises to improve breath control, voice quality, and articulation.

One member shared how working with a speech pathologist helped them learn that their raspy voice was caused by vocal cord tightening, and they now massage their neck muscles each morning to help loosen them up.

If you're experiencing speech difficulties, talk to your neurologist about a referral to a speech-language pathologist.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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