I actually have mild expressive aphasia...and the fact that it gets worse and worse all the time could be a neurodegenerative problem.

Just my luck. I'll be dead in 8-9 years.

A good chiropractor/ or advanced PT (maybe)? should be able to check the c spine for that, if nothing else to rule it out. Then the meds or other issues could be focused on.

You aren't taking any statins for cholesterol are you??

I got curious about this and checked it out, decided to try some. I figured I ought to see how it affects me before having my TBI son try it. So here's how it went for me...

First off, I woke up in a sleep hangover type fog from sleeping in too long,so I thought it would be a good day to see if it helped. It didn't help me think any less foggy. Took about an hour to feel anything. It did give me a kind of nervous energy, which would have been great if I was spending the day zooming around doing housework or something.

But essentially I could see that if I was impulsive to begin with (okay so I am a little but my filter is intact), it would very much exacerbate that. Also
I needed a LOT more energy and just about devoured everything within range. Watch out junk food here I come!!

Had some mood swings, from anguished (more than usual) to kinda euphoric for a little while (which was nice while it lasted), then back to anguished again.

Effects lasted about 4 hours or so, and afterwards I was worn out, nearly exhausted. But that evening and part of the next day I found myself speed reading a book I was reading, and comprehending it fine. BUT that was for over an hour after I'd taken my sleeping pill before my eyes closed. It very much exacerbated my insomnia -- had a terrible time sleeping and had to take another pill about 2 am.

Sooo maybe it did help a little cognitively, I'm not convinced; but because of the nervous impulsivity, moods, and the crash-but-couldn't-sleep effects I decided it wasn't a good alternative to a cuppa joe at work. And definitely not gonna give it to my son, OMG, it could be ugly! I know everyone reacts differently, but he is of my blood. Maybe some other time when he's more aware of his brain health and in better control. (Hoping that day comes!!)

Would be curious to see how it affects others who have tried it??

Hi There!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. I used to be very talkative, full of words and life. I never had a problem speaking to a crowd in fact I loved it. Public speaking was probably one of my strengths. But now I wish I never had to talk to anyone.

I stumble over my words join words and make new ones up. I'll be talking to someone and just stop in the middle of my sentance and say what? Sorry! Then sit there and think about what I was going to say and I come up with nothing so I say nothing. Around my family, boyfriend, and best friend ita not too bad they understand and wait patiently and don't laugh at me. But aound others forget it! I completely stopped hanging out with friends or going places I no longer order for myself when and if I go out to eat with family. And even around my family I find myself saying next to nothing.

I'm in the process of trying to return to school in the fall. I'm going back and forth with my doctor and school to get accomodations (quiet testing area) and I can never seem to make sense with what I'm saying over the phone. And I'm so worried about getting thrown back into that environment with people talking in the halls coming up to me saying hi being in a class room with people talking during lecture the ac making noise all of that idk if I can handle it or how I will deal with it.

I have so much trouble speaking that I don't really talk anymore. Its frustrating and embarassing. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do about it. I don't see how speech therapy would help. I know how to talk I just can't. My mind and mouth are not on the same page.

Not cool! Don't say that. I know I feel like this sometimes too

Stay strong, Stay positive!

Kelly

Me too - can't grasp the words or engage in conversation and will end up zoning out or shouting.
I avoid conversation if I can unless it's one to one with my kids, which I make a real effort to do each day. I was on my daily walk yesterday and was aware that my mouth and the back of my throat didn't seem to work too well together if I am exerting myself. I was wondering if being mute could develop as one of our wonderful and varied symptoms.

I've been having a hard time with articulation and speaking clearly lately. I used to be very articulate and quick to respond. However that isn't the case these days. I fell off a cliff side when I was 16 and cracked my skull and did a bit of damage to the right temporal lobe. I wonder if this is what is causing my speech issues?

deeda,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your fall.

From the sparse information you have given, it is hard to say if your speech struggles are a result of your injury at 16.

It would help to know a bit more, like:

How old are you now?
How is your health?
Have you had any anesthesia / surgery lately?
Are you under any stress currently?
Have you started taking any medication recently?

Do you have any other odd symptoms?

There are a lot of conditions that can contribute to make an old brain injury more symptomatic. Without knowing any more information, I bet you have a recent trigger that has brought on these speech struggles.

I hope you feel open to sharing more information. There are a lot of great and supportive people here.

My best to you.