Hi from Ontario for everybody reading this post.
I've had epilepsy since 1979, controlled by meds.
I get a form of petit mal seizures that my Dr. calls "speech arrest". It only lasts a few seconds, I am aware of what is going on around me but I can't respond.
When I try to talk, my speech is slurred (more than usual).
Most people have no problem speaking but I have to concentrate to form every word. (all the time but twice as hard during a speech arrest).
Everybody thinks I'm stoned all the time.
Boy, I didn't realize that we take our speech for granted so much.
Randy
I have times where Mike (my boyfriend) will be talking to me and I have what is I call BrainFreeze. I hear him, I understand him, but the words just don't come out.. Or I will just say simple words like Yes. No. Okay. Is this normal? It is very brief when I do get this. Maybe ten seconds at the most.
Tracy
Tracy
I have the EXACT same problem. Mine started in 1987 when I was 18. I was put on tegretol right after my first grand-mal in July 94, but still had a few more after that. Soon started having CPs, which finally became under control last year. But my speech auras still haven't stopped. It's like having a problem that started in 87, start taking AEDs to correct or control it, but more problems come up.
Now the other problems are under control, but the first one to begin with are still going on strong.
One thing that I definitely know is that my problems nearly always occur around 6 hours after I've eaten, and not much later after they happen, I have to go to the bathroom.
Good luck though. Hopefully these will stop someday.
Bruce VIEW IMAGE
I have this problem too. If I concentrate when this happens, then my speech, in my mind, will sound normal, but I know that it still sounds slurred because my daughters will still ask me to repeat what i'm saying. I'm never sure if it's a simple partial or the meds. Maybe it's both.
Christine
Randy, I know what you mean. You KNOW the words however nothing comes out until after the sz. My particular case it's " Aha, aha, aha ..." I did not know that it was called speech arrest, learn something new every day and no doubt at this forum.