Repeating a word over...over...over

[Sunnytoday]

It became a lot more frequent this week. I'm usually talking and realize that I've just repeated a word four or five time. I have to stop, breathe, and then try to refocus and continue talking. Sometimes I don't realize it until a family member will repeat back to me what I said and then I understand that I've been saying one word over several times. This has happened before, just not in every conversation.

This is so frustrating, but I'm trying to learn to handle it. Often, i just double up words and repeat a word twice like a cd with a scratch, but sometimes it is worse and I will just get "stuck" on a word, not quite like stuttering where you get stuck on a sound. It usually happens with smaller words at the beginning of my sentences.

what causes this, does anyone else have this problem, and will it go away or is it one of those long-lasting sx?

Thanks!
~Sunnytoday~

[pennst8r]

I do it quite frequently. Its pretty rough when you are explaining to your staff what they need to do, and you say the same word a few times, say the completely wrong word, etc. Extremely frustrating.

Penn

[Quixotic1]

I think that's called verbal perseveration.  It might go along with the very common problems in MS with verbal fluency or rhythm.  It's related to stuttering.

Rena - there is no such thing as "past damage" that is just now causing problems in MS.  If the damage was bad enough to cause the symptoms, you would have had the symptoms back then.  If the symptom appeared then, but resolved, only a new bout of active inflammation would cause it now.

Sheesh.

Quix

[Rena705]

Hey girl...I can totally relate to what you are saying!  Can I ask you what meds you are currently taking?  

I was on Tegretol and Neurontin when my speech difficulties began and now that I am on a lower dose of Tegretol and off the Neurontin, my speech has definitely improved but unfortunately I am still having trouble when I am tired.  I have the "stuttering" problem as well as difficulty with word retrieval.  This can happen day or night depending on how well rested I am.  This is something that I have brought to the attention of my neuro and gp but because they say that my MS is inactive my gp wants me to have a neuropsych consult to see if it may be due to past damage done by my MS.  I personally think it is currently my MS that is causing it but that doesn't mean diddly squat to any of my physicians so if you get any answer as to what this is, please share...I wish you luck with it!

lots of hugs,

Rena

[debral09]

I have had similar issues before.  For me I don't think that they lasted for very long.  The biggest problem that I have with speech is that I begin to stumble over my words.  Kind of like my mouth can't get the words out fast enough or the right way.  I just have to stop, take a deep breath and refocus.  And yes, it is frustrating as he** but something that luckily only pops up once in awhile.  

By the way, I am glad that you are back at home and recovering!

Many hugs,
Debra