speech

[liv]

I have read some observations that slurred speech is a side effect of Gabapentin. My elderly mother has been an OT sufferer for many years and was on Gabapentin for 7 years - the dosage has now been greatly reduced to try and reduce this problem but with little effect. She seems to have great difficulty at times with her speech and has had problems for the last year and half. She seems to have difficulty in actually getting her words out and they come out in a garbled rush and she becomes quite agitated. She can be silent for days. Her carer believes this to be a side effect of Gabapentin - hence the doseage reduction agreed with her GP - but her GP believes this is actually a symptom of the OT and "little can be done". She stated a possible treatment was Botox injections but considered this too invasive for someone of her age.

For those who have experienced speech problems on Gabapentin - has there been any improvement on change of doseage or withdrawal from the medication.
Has anyone else, perhaps not on this particular medication experienced speech problems as a symptom of OT?

[ALC]

Hi Liv,

One of the main reasons why I began taking medicine for my OT was because of my speech problems. I developed slurred speech before I took clonazepam and for me low dose clonazepam has helped with the speech. I was told by my neurologist that my speech issues, tongue and jaw tremor are related to my OT and a part of the condition. I was worried that I might have something else in addition to OT. I also have tremors in my inner ear which sometimes causes balance problems. When I have trouble with speech I try to take a break, swallow and begin again slowly, which sometimes helps. My job requires that I speak almost all day long, so it is a challenge to say the least.

Amy