Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

ajja
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Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 10, 2017 16:52:36 GMT -8

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Post by ajja on Jul 10, 2017 16:52:36 GMT -8

Hiya world,

Just curious if anyone with an SCI ( C-Spine ) has noticed any effects on their speech ability when on Diazepam ( valium ) ?

Grasping at straws here, but my son’s speech has gone backwards in the last year . From a clear 6-7 words and mutli-syllable burbles to nothing but a wail / back of throat single tone.
He also seems to have lost some mouth dexterity and tongue use.

It may be a permanent thing, but I’m always trying to find a cause ( or cure ) as you do.
He is also on oxygen 24/7 so speech loss could also be lung related.
Or it could be totes non SCI related. :-)

I went back through his meds and Drs did increase his Diaz. dosage last year, though this was probably just an increase for his weight increase.
He is on a normal child dose as far as I can tell ( 2mg x 3 times per day )

Googling away on symptoms of speech dysarthria and possibly Diaz. can cause some motor control.
He is already on Methadone, Oxycodone, Gabapentin for pain/nerve pain and we’ve weaned those down as far as comfortably possible.

Just curious if anyone else on Diazepam has ever noticed any loss or change in their mouth/speech ?

Many thanks

John

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tetra Advanced Member Posts: 815 Post Likes Received: 942 Date Joined: November 2016 Injury: C5-7 Incomplete Date Injured: 5/28/2008 Member is: Offline Send PM	Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 10, 2017 19:08:35 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by tetra on Jul 10, 2017 19:08:35 GMT -8 John- I have no helpful experience to offer beyond having been a parent. From that view I honr your struggle and dedication.
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tj Advanced Member Posts: 388 Post Likes Received: 500 Date Joined: October 2016 Injury: Chronic Arachnoiditis L2 through S3 Date Injured: 1976 Member is: Offline Send PM	Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 10, 2017 20:44:12 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by tj on Jul 10, 2017 20:44:12 GMT -8 Hi John, as an outsider looking in, I myself might ask another Dr to look at my son and his prescrirptions, then see what he might have to say about it. Good luck and I hope that you find the answer's that you are looking for.
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ajja
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Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 11, 2017 4:21:31 GMT -8

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Post by ajja on Jul 11, 2017 4:21:31 GMT -8

Thanks Tetra & TJ

We are really fortunate and grateful that all of our Drs / surgeons / medical professionals have been incredible over the last 3 years and saved our son’s life, literally.
Not only here in Godzone ( New Zealand ) but we're also had input from Spinal Surgeons in U.S.A.

While we’ve had the best of care, they are up front and honest with us that he is complicated and they simply don’t have all the answers.

As you’ll all be aware sometimes finding the perfect balance of drugs is trial and error.
And of course, what works for one person, may not for the next person and it is such an incredible balance.

We’ve done a lot of work over the last few years with his pain meds to get a good balance now.
I think Diaz. is for spasm control and for some it is a solution, but I’m just putting feelers out for anyone that experienced any side effects, in particular with SCIs.
That can give us some validation to reducing a med. or trialling another ( eg. the thread on CBD )

Everyone’s feedback, and also the threads I’ve read from people on this site living with SCIs, is a phenomenal, and pragmatic, resource.

John

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mikeq
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Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 11, 2017 5:18:40 GMT -8

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Post by mikeq on Jul 11, 2017 5:18:40 GMT -8

Hello John. I'm really sorry to hear about your son. How old is he? 2 mg of diazepam three times a day is not a big dose. The body quickly builds up a tolerance to diazepam. It's probably doing very little for your son if he has been taking it for a long period of time. I'm not a doctor but I'd say it was unlikely to be causing his symptoms. I have taken Valium over the years. I took 5 mg of diazepam at night for fifteen years before giving it up. I used to take it occasionally during the day for spasms and neurological pain. However, I did notice a huge difference when I gave it up. It was as if my brain suddenly came alive. Now I only take it when it's absolutely necessary. I regard pharmaceutical medication now as a luxury. But it is a luxury to beware of. They all have consequences.

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helw3680
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Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 18, 2017 5:52:51 GMT -8

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Post by helw3680 on Jul 18, 2017 5:52:51 GMT -8

Hey John,

I am sorry to hear about your son taking a back step. Based on the medications you listed most of them have central nervous system depression (methadone, Oxy, gabapentin, and diazepam). I think this is a cumulative effect of all the medications together or at least contributing to it. I would definitely talk to the physician about maybe tapering the diazepam back especially if you noticed the change in speech after the dose change.

Good Luck,

Mike

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mikeq
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Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ? Jul 18, 2017 7:13:39 GMT -8

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Post by mikeq on Jul 18, 2017 7:13:39 GMT -8

I would most certainly agree with the previous post. He is on some pretty heavy medication. The combined effects of them all would cause all kinds of problems. I still doubt that his medication would affect his speech that much, though. How old is he?

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Diazapam - Effects on speech/mouth ?

Post by ajja on Jul 10, 2017 16:52:36 GMT -8

Post by tetra on Jul 10, 2017 19:08:35 GMT -8

Post by tj on Jul 10, 2017 20:44:12 GMT -8

Post by ajja on Jul 11, 2017 4:21:31 GMT -8

Post by mikeq on Jul 11, 2017 5:18:40 GMT -8

Post by helw3680 on Jul 18, 2017 5:52:51 GMT -8

Post by mikeq on Jul 18, 2017 7:13:39 GMT -8

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