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Last Reply:

Stiff mouth

lovedogs1955 posted:

For at least a year or more, I have noticed times when I speak that it is hard to make my muscles in my mouth refuse to cooperate with me. What happens then is that my speech is almost slurred and it is very hard to make my words sound correct. Happens when I am tired and on most mornings. I was reading another source and found several discussions dealing with this very same problem. I can't tell you how that made me feel, seeing that I'm not the only person having this! It seems to go along with problems swallowing, which has been a recent complaint of mine.

I am not really asking a question here, just curious as to if anyone else has "stiff mouth"?

7 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthFor at least a year or more, I have noticed times when I speak that it is hard to make my muscles in my mouth refuse to cooperate with me. What happens then is that my speech is almost slurred and it is very hard to make my words sound correct. Happens when I am tired and on most mornings. I was reading another source and found several discussions dealing with this very same problem. I can't tell you how that made me feel, seeing that I'm not the only person having this! It seems to go along with problems swallowing, which has been a recent complaint of mine. I am not really asking a question here, just curious as to if anyone else has "stiff mouth"?

susiemargaret responded:

hello, L --

i hope that dr. stacy, our expert in this community, will respond, because you've posted this inquiry in the parkinson's disease community and swallowing and speech problems are common in parkinson's disease. take a look at these articles --

-- http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/parkinsons-disease-and-speech-problems-topic-overview and

-- http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-swallowing-problems .

speech and swallowing problems can also occur from causes other than parkinson's disease, however. for some avenues to explore, take a look at these articles --

http://www.webmd.com/brain/apraxia-symptoms-causes-tests-treatments and

-- http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/difficulty-swallowing-dysphagia-overview .

finally, you might want to re-post this inquiry in the ear/nose/throat community, http://exchanges.webmd.com/cold-and-flu-exchange , where there is an expert on-board.

let me emphasize that these are just a layperson's suggestions; i am not a medical person. i hope you can find some relief soon.

-- susie margaret

what good is gold, or silver too, if your heart's not good and true -- hank williams, sr.

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthhello, L -- i hope that dr. stacy, our expert in this community, will respond, because you've posted this inquiry in the parkinson's disease community and swallowing and speech problems are common in parkinson's disease. take a look at these articles -- -- <a href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/parkinsons-disease-and-speech-problems-topic-overview">http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/parkinsons-disease-and-speech-problems-topic-overview</a> and -- <a href="http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-swallowing-problems">http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-swallowing-problems</a> . speech and swallowing problems can also occur from causes other than parkinson's disease, however. for some avenues to explore, take a look at these articles -- <a href="http://www.webmd.com/brain/apraxia-symptoms-causes-tests-treatments">http://www.webmd.com/brain/apraxia-symptoms-causes-tests-treatments</a> and -- <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/difficulty-swallowing-dysphagia-overview">http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/difficulty-swallowing-dysphagia-overview</a> . finally, you might want to re-post this inquiry in the ear/nose/throat community, <a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/cold-and-flu-exchange">http://exchanges.webmd.com/cold-and-flu-exchange</a> , where there is an expert on-board. let me emphasize that these are just a layperson's suggestions; i am not a medical person. i hope you can find some relief soon. -- susie margaret

lovedogs1955 replied to susiemargaret's response:

Thanks, Susie Margaret. I am under the care of some wonderful specialists, including GI and Neuro. Together, we have worked pretty well with dealing with issues as they occur with me! (and believe me, I have had TONS of issues!) My GI system seems to be one of the areas that PD has chosen to work on. I've had multiple bowel surgeries to release obstructions and have also had esphogeal dilations, most recently in October of this year. I know that a swallowing study is in my future. I'm mainly curious to know how many others are dealing with similar issues and how they cope with them.

I am a disabled/retired RN, so I do have a good understanding of what is going on. It's very different being a patient with PD and not the caregiver!

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthThanks, Susie Margaret. I am under the care of some wonderful specialists, including GI and Neuro. Together, we have worked pretty well with dealing with issues as they occur with me! (and believe me, I have had TONS of issues!) My GI system seems to be one of the areas that PD has chosen to work on. I've had multiple bowel surgeries to release obstructions and have also had esphogeal dilations, most recently in October of this year. I know that a swallowing study is in my future. I'm mainly curious to know how many others are dealing with similar issues and how they cope with them. I am a disabled/retired RN, so I do have a good understanding of what is going on. It's very different being a patient with PD and not the caregiver!

njladyluck responded:

Hi,
I am in stage 2 pd and have been diagnosed for 1-1/2 years. I also have a stiff mouth. I have problems speaking sometimes. It was really bad before I started taking the Azilect then Sinemet. At this point in time the meds help me a lot so I am lucky. I also have to watch the gagging or excess saliva and swallowing. I went to a speech therapist who specializes in PD and also had a swallowing evaluation. They both said I wasn't that bad yet and to not be concerned. Well it is upsetting to wake up coughing because excess saliva went down my wind pipe. They gave me some exercises to do but like I said I am lucky because the medicine helps. Also I try to not lay on my back.

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthHi, I am in stage 2 pd and have been diagnosed for 1-1/2 years. I also have a stiff mouth. I have problems speaking sometimes. It was really bad before I started taking the Azilect then Sinemet. At this point in time the meds help me a lot so I am lucky. I also have to watch the gagging or excess saliva and swallowing. I went to a speech therapist who specializes in PD and also had a swallowing evaluation. They both said I wasn't that bad yet and to not be concerned. Well it is upsetting to wake up coughing because excess saliva went down my wind pipe. They gave me some exercises to do but like I said I am lucky because the medicine helps. Also I try to not lay on my back.

lovedogs1955 replied to njladyluck's response:

Thanks for the suggestions, ladyluck! I was also doing some research and found that chewing sugarless gum and sucking on sugarless hard candies helps exercising those muscles. Isn't it amazing all of the things that Parkinson's can do to our bodies? I know that so many people, health professionals included, seem to think that the only thing to look for is TREMORS!!

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthThanks for the suggestions, ladyluck! I was also doing some research and found that chewing sugarless gum and sucking on sugarless hard candies helps exercising those muscles. Isn't it amazing all of the things that Parkinson's can do to our bodies? I know that so many people, health professionals included, seem to think that the only thing to look for is TREMORS!!

njladyluck replied to lovedogs1955's response:

I know - everyone sees the tremors. At this point in time the tremoring is the symptom that bothers me the least. Blurred vision really upsets me and the pain from the rigidity. Have a good day.

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthI know - everyone sees the tremors. At this point in time the tremoring is the symptom that bothers me the least. Blurred vision really upsets me and the pain from the rigidity. Have a good day.

topma responded:

Yes, I also have "stiff mouth" for 4-5 months now. It is exactly as
you describe it. My speech becomes almost like a mumble.
I notice it mostly after my second dose of medication for the
day and towards evening when I get tired.I also clinch my teeth. I'm taking speech therapy. Her treatment along with the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment is facial massage. It not only feels good, it helps my face to relax. It doesn't last very long but I get some relief. Thanks for posting. You're the first person I've heard
of with the same symptoms. So far I don't have a swallowing problem.

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthYes, I also have "stiff mouth" for 4-5 months now. It is exactly as you describe it. My speech becomes almost like a mumble. I notice it mostly after my second dose of medication for the day and towards evening when I get tired.I also clinch my teeth. I'm taking speech therapy. Her treatment along with the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment is facial massage. It not only feels good, it helps my face to relax. It doesn't last very long but I get some relief. Thanks for posting. You're the first person I've heard of with the same symptoms. So far I don't have a swallowing problem.

lovedogs1955 replied to topma's response:

How nice it is to hear that I'm not alone and not imagining things! It is also good to finally be able to call it something---stiff mouth is an excellent description!

I hope everyone has a peaceful end of Christmas Week!

Report This| Share this:Stiff mouthHow nice it is to hear that I'm not alone and not imagining things! It is also good to finally be able to call it something---stiff mouth is an excellent description! I hope everyone has a peaceful end of Christmas Week!

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