1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Temporary loss of speech

Posted by jehjeh @jehjeh, Nov 28, 2024

A few weeks ago my husband suddenly became unable to communicate. He would open his mouth and emit a sound something like "aaaahhhh" in a somewhat high pitch. At first he would shake or nod his head in response to a yes or no question but I could never be sure he understood the question. After a bit of sleep I realized this wasn't getting better so I called 911 and got him to the hospital.

This was his only symptom and they ruled out stroke and other obvious issues. He was admitted and on day 3 he began to speak, one or two words...often just repeating "hi" to whomever was nearby.

He's home now and that has all cleared up. Doctors say it may have simply been part of the progression of the disease.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

tullynut | @tullynut | Nov 30, 2024

Sounds like a transient ischemic attack. Stroke symptoms that appear and then disappear. A blockage in blood flow to brain may have started and then broke apart. Transient (temporary) symptoms that ended. Not a full blown stroke but a warning sign. Just a thought.

REPLY
21amy | @21amy | Dec 1, 2024

I was an ER nurse for 20 years and saw this just once. A radiology tech was brought to the ED unable to speak. No other symptoms. She was discharged after her speech returned- about 2 hours after onset of episode. She was diagnosed with temporary aphasia due to a migraine. It is not common but does happen. If you go to Mayo Clinic website and google mayo clinic aphasia and migraines it talks about this. Maybe this is what happened to your husband. Good luck.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 6, 2024

@jehjeh, people living with dementia, often have a mild form of aphasia. In the case of your husband, this seems to have come on suddenly and was temporary.

How is your husband doing now? Have you noticed any changes in his speech since the episode?

REPLY
1 reply
jehjeh | @jehjeh | Dec 7, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jehjeh, people living with dementia, often have a mild form of aphasia. In the case of..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jehjeh, people living with dementia, often have a mild form of aphasia. In the case of your husband, this seems to have come on suddenly and was temporary.

How is your husband doing now? Have you noticed any changes in his speech since the episode?

Jump to this post

He seemed to have returned to baseline until very early this morning. All he could say was his sister's name. Over and over. This lasted about 2-3 hours then he returned to normal.

I hate this disease!!!!

My sister had a very rare form of cancer. There was almost no research being done but at least doctors could tell us what to expect as it progressed. With dementia it seems like research has only revealed that it's different for everyone and every day will be a surprise, and not the good kind.

If I deliver my husband so much I'd get in the car and start driving and not look back.

REPLY
1 reply
jehjeh | @jehjeh | Dec 7, 2024
In reply to @jehjeh "He seemed to have returned to baseline until very early this morning. All he could say..." + (show)
@jehjeh

He seemed to have returned to baseline until very early this morning. All he could say was his sister's name. Over and over. This lasted about 2-3 hours then he returned to normal.

I hate this disease!!!!

My sister had a very rare form of cancer. There was almost no research being done but at least doctors could tell us what to expect as it progressed. With dementia it seems like research has only revealed that it's different for everyone and every day will be a surprise, and not the good kind.

If I deliver my husband so much I'd get in the car and start driving and not look back.

Jump to this post

That should read "if I didn't love my husband so much..."

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.