Stuttering

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in August 2004. I used my CPAP on and off for a couple of years and stopped using it altogehter when I started having trouble with my mask. After not using it for a number of months and not falling asleep on the freeway on the way to work, I thought I was fine. Not so. In July of 2008 I was at work and started stuttering like, like ... it was hard to describe and I felt terrible. I went to the hospital and had the requisite tests but nothing. I soon felt better and went back to work. A few weeks later I was stuttering again. These episodes would leave me exhausted and feeling like crap. Eventually I went to see the neurologist that I saw at the hospital. He told me the reason I was stuttering was because I was not getting enough oxygen to my brain -- a result of my sleep apnea.

Has anyone experienced anything like this -- stuttering coupled with extreme exhaustion? I can't find anything about it in my research of sleep apnea.

Thanks much.
F

I stuttered (mildly) as a child. It came back, along with a lot of difficulty in "finding the right word" (and often using the wrong one - like "please bring me that umbrella" when what I wanted was a purse, or a subway token, or anything other than "umbrella"). Since starting CPAP both have gone away.

I didn't ever "feel terrible" after stuttering but it was very frustrating and disempowering.

I just started on CPAP therapy so it's hard to tell, but before I started, I would slur my words occasionally. Not like I was drunk but more like my tongue didn't want to jive any more. I'm a linguist, singer and like to do voice impressions and imitate noises--a dexterous tongue is a must! Now that I've been on therapy for a few days, I definitely notice a difference.

Phranp, please consider using your CPAP machine full time again. Finding the right mask is vital to compliance (actually using it). I got lucky and ended up with a mask I really like on the first try. I've read on here about people who go through a few different ones before finding one they like. Be diligent and don't give up on your therapy. Your body will thank you for it!

I know what you mean, I have been on theraphy for a year and a half now, and I am still stuttering. It is very hard for words and sentences to come out the way I want them to. Maybe the lack of oxegen from all those years of being sick and not knowing have a permanent effect on the brain.


dixieblue
Resmed Auto Vpap 25
Swift Lt, nasel pillow
chin strap[

I never stuttered until about two to three years ago. It started once in while and has increased gradually over the last few years. Was starting to get concerned, starting with stuttering and aphasia in your early 50's is generally not a good sign.

Never connected it to apnea, will watch and see for a bit and see if it goes away now.

Perhaps a small success story is in order.

I think that your neurologist is on the right track.

My "better" half used to complain that I spoke in a halting manner, with long pauses (while I mentally searched for words) during sentences.

Not long after beginning xPAP therapy, that issue disappeared. I now speak with greater facility, with greater clarity, focus and vocabulary. I had no idea that xpap therapy would give me such greater command over my speech, but I just love the difference.

Interestingly, I noticed that my typing speed and my handwriting speed and legibility improved at the same time.

I also used to experience a tendency to conflate (if that's the correct term) words. For example, if I wanted to say "sure" or "fine" , I might have said "shine".

That tendency also just disappeared.

While none of these are classical stuttering, I think that they might be similar.

I should add that I haven't missed an evening of pappian therapy in over 3 yrs.

Good luck, and stay with that xpap!

.

Maybe that's a sign you need to start using the CPAP.

Phranp wrote:I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in August 2004. I used my CPAP on and off for a couple of years and stopped using it altogehter when I started having trouble with my mask. After not using it for a number of months and not falling asleep on the freeway on the way to work, I thought I was fine. Not so. In July of 2008 I was at work and started stuttering like, like ... it was hard to describe and I felt terrible. I went to the hospital and had the requisite tests but nothing. I soon felt better and went back to work. A few weeks later I was stuttering again. These episodes would leave me exhausted and feeling like crap. Eventually I went to see the neurologist that I saw at the hospital. He told me the reason I was stuttering was because I was not getting enough oxygen to my brain -- a result of my sleep apnea.

Has anyone experienced anything like this -- stuttering coupled with extreme exhaustion? I can't find anything about it in my research of sleep apnea.

Thanks much.
F