1. < Parkinson's Disease
Mentor

Parkinson's and Speech/Swallowing Problems

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Sep 16, 2016

Many of us with Parkinson's have speech problems. There are speech therapies such as LSVT Loud, breathing exercises, etc. Let's share some of the speech problems we have and what strategies we have used to have clearer speech and better swallowing.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 31, 2017
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi All: I recently saw this article dealing with speech problems and the healing role that..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi All:

I recently saw this article dealing with speech problems and the healing role that singing can play in recovering speech. While this article is directed towards those who have lost their voice because of a stroke, there is also a benefit of singing for Parkinson's patients. Has anyone had any experience with singing to improve speech?

@chrisj2491 @denie57 @johnjames @trouble4343 @ggopher @aperob @caryp43 @burgle @macbeth @knightkris @mariemarie @pjsammy @techi @sandycerem @bobbieingeorgia @gulfer @mojo1965 @brittalisse @ruby7dnj
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/12/26/144152193/singing-therapy-helps-stroke-patients-speak-again.
Teresa

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@anna1060 Hello, I see this is your first post at Mayo Connect. Welcome. You make an interesting observation regarding the chorus. Do you have Parkinson's? If so, we would enjoy getting to know you. Please share something about yourself.

Teresa

REPLY
anna1060 | @anna1060 | Dec 31, 2017
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi All: I recently saw this article dealing with speech problems and the healing role that..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi All:

I recently saw this article dealing with speech problems and the healing role that singing can play in recovering speech. While this article is directed towards those who have lost their voice because of a stroke, there is also a benefit of singing for Parkinson's patients. Has anyone had any experience with singing to improve speech?

@chrisj2491 @denie57 @johnjames @trouble4343 @ggopher @aperob @caryp43 @burgle @macbeth @knightkris @mariemarie @pjsammy @techi @sandycerem @bobbieingeorgia @gulfer @mojo1965 @brittalisse @ruby7dnj
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/12/26/144152193/singing-therapy-helps-stroke-patients-speak-again.
Teresa

Jump to this post

Yes. I was diagnosed in October after a DaT scan. I'm being treated with Azilect (rasagaline) and visit this discussion group and another hoping to compare my response to the drug with other people's.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 1, 2018

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

REPLY
6 replies
ggopher | @ggopher | Jan 1, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060 I did not know that a DaT scan..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

Jump to this post

Sorry to break in here but I thought the DaT scan was a standard procedure. When I was first seen at Neuro I was told they would like one but I didn’t care much for that long in an MRI and they told me it didn’t matter a lot because I had so many (mild)

symptoms that they would treat me for PD regardless of results anyway.

Could you explain the “tightness” in your thighs? I have developed what almost feels like a constant cramp in one leg in front and back just above the ankle. I see the RN Wednesday and wonder if it is a new wrinkle in PD. 

Steve  

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 1, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060 I did not know that a DaT scan..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

Jump to this post

@ggopher Hi Steve:

Always feel free to "break-in." The tightness in my right thigh is like a cramp or feeling of tightness. According to the physical therapist, it is a Parkinson's problem, sometimes referred to as rigidity. I have a great stretching exercise which really relieves the pain.

Here is an article about leg pain and PD, https://defeatparkinsons.com/2015/08/24/how-to-deal-with-the-6-common-causes-of-leg-pain-in-pd-by-dr-de-leon/

Teresa

REPLY
ggopher | @ggopher | Jan 1, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060 I did not know that a DaT scan..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

Jump to this post

Yep, sounds like me. 

Thanks for the article.

Steve  

REPLY
ggopher | @ggopher | Jan 9, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060 I did not know that a DaT scan..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

Jump to this post

Thanks. Good article. 

Do you have a link to the stretching exercise?

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 9, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060 I did not know that a DaT scan..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

Jump to this post

@ggopher Hi Steve

The stretching exercise was something I learned in PT. It involves sitting on a chair - towards the front of the chair - and stretching one leg out straight in front of you. Then bending at the waist and stretching down as far as you can on that leg (try to touch your ankle, foot or floor - whatever you can do comfortably without straining your back).The important thing is to hold that stretch for 30 SECONDS (the physical therapist said that is how long it takes to release the muscle). I'll look to see if I can find a picture of it on the internet. It really helps me when the cramping and tightness begin to act up.

Teresa

REPLY
ggopher | @ggopher | Jan 9, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060 I did not know that a DaT scan..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your sharing more about yourself, @anna1060

I did not know that a DaT scan was being used to diagnosis Parkinson's. Could you tell us a little more about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, please share a bit more as to how long it took for you to get a PD diagnosis (for some of us it is a long time) and what type of symptoms you were having when you were diagnosed. How is the Azilect working for you? Is it dealing with your symptoms?

We look forward to hearing more of your story - we all learn from each other at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

Jump to this post

Good stretch and a lot easier on the back than the standing version.  Thanks.

Steve  

REPLY
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 11, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi All: I recently saw this article dealing with speech problems and the healing role that..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi All:

I recently saw this article dealing with speech problems and the healing role that singing can play in recovering speech. While this article is directed towards those who have lost their voice because of a stroke, there is also a benefit of singing for Parkinson's patients. Has anyone had any experience with singing to improve speech?

@chrisj2491 @denie57 @johnjames @trouble4343 @ggopher @aperob @caryp43 @burgle @macbeth @knightkris @mariemarie @pjsammy @techi @sandycerem @bobbieingeorgia @gulfer @mojo1965 @brittalisse @ruby7dnj
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/12/26/144152193/singing-therapy-helps-stroke-patients-speak-again.
Teresa

Jump to this post

Hi, @anna1060 -- just wanted to touch base with you and see how things are going with your Parkinson's and also with the rasagiline (Azilect) you mentioned you were taking?

REPLY
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