Does anyone here deal with receptive aphasia?

[maxthecat43]

I had a really scary episode this evening.  

I have been having a lot of trouble with speech lately, but at least I kmow what it is.  Tonight, at our religious meeting- I suddenly couldn't understand anything (I just learned this is called receptive aphasia).  And of course, I wasn't able to communicate either.

This problem, hearing speech-but with zero comprehension, has only happened twice before this evening.  Is there any treatment?

[supermum_ms]

I sometimes have a lot of confusion following the conversation or in fully understanding what i'm being asked or told, more so when i'm relapsing or fatigued. I have also experienced during a relapse, not being able to remember anything i'd just read, at the time i had to read things over and over before i could start remembering something and it was only after reading the same book 5 times in a row before i was able to talk about what i'd read. Prior to the repetition it just wasn't sticking, not sticking around long enough to transfer from my short term memory to my long.

For me when it is happening it really stands out because i am known for both my auditory and visual memory skills and my family always notice it. I see it more as a temporary hick up, where my short term memory is playing up, it does normally get better after i've rested or cooled down or de-stimulated but with the reading issue, i was in a relapse and i just didnt want to chance it becoming another lost piece of me. (lol i'd rather you'd cut off my right arm, I am a book worm!!)  

I wont bore you with what i did lol its straying too far off topic but i just wanted you to know you're probably not loosing your mind, though i really get how it can feel like it!

It helps if you find your tipping point, know just how far and how much you can do before your cognitive skills start slipping. I sort of see it as being no different to the physical limitations we have to work out, though the cognitive is more easily hidden, its probably still happening in the background. Physical fatigue we more easily seem to get but there is also mental fatigue too, if i am physically fatigued then it doesn't take long before the mental fatigue kicks into play.

My rule of thumb: not to expect more than I am able, pushing to far beyond my limits will only lead to burnt toast :o)

Hugs............JJ

[supermum_ms]

Hi Tammy,

I tried posting last night but i've been having a lot of computer issues and lol they are computer issues, not me this time lol but i see it didn't make it. I was going to ask if you were sure it was receptive aphasia and not central auditory processing instead but it looks like you've thought of that.

What your describing does sound more like receptive aphasia than CAPD though,  " Receptive aphasia involves difficulty understanding spoken or written language. The patient hears the voice or sees the print but cannot make sense of the words." which fits more in line with your comment "it doesn't sound like English to me."  

CAPD is different, its not that people seem to be speaking a different language but that the language they speak and understand, is jumbled up like its gone threw a blender and becomes confusing, they understand the individual words and there meaning but what they are being asked or told isn't exactly clearly understood. eg

Tammy, put your clean clothes in the cupboard, put your dirty clothes in the wash basket and whilst your in the laundry check if the dryer's finished.  

If a persons got CAPD they will be confused by the multi instructions, they could quite easily put the clean clothes in the wash basket and ask what was they had to do in the laundry?

They sort of get it but not quite right, following general conversations is basically the same, a person with CAPD will sort of get what everyone is talking about but not exactly everything. If their auditory comprehension is slowed down enough it can inhibit participation, by the time they work it out the conversation has already moved on etc.

to be continued.....  

    

[maxthecat43]

It sounds like you both have had the same thing happen to you...  I just hope it truly is neurological, and not a psychological thing.  Not sure how my husband would cope if was losing my body, and my mind.  

I hadn't made the tired connection before.  I exhausted and somewhat overstimulated all three times.  There must be a connection.

I'm going to take your advice, Shell.  I will check on any additional posts to this topic in a few days...  No more computer or tv for a while.

Hugs to you all!
Tammy

[meg321]

I have done this too, and it gets worse the more tired I am.  I  just can't understand what is being said..and at times it feels like my mind is just blank.  Not sure if it the same thing or not.
  
Its embarrassing....and scary, all these "mind" things are scary.  Other than that, I afraid I can't help you.

meg

[sllowe]

Hey - I had something very similar to this during my initial attack. I did not know that this was what it was called (if it's the same).

I'm so sorry you are going through it. Took months for relief for me. This kids would be talking to me and I could not comprehend anything  - I could hear them and their words, but could not comprehend it, and return talk. it was horrible. I just couldn't understand anything. Speaking was slurred during this time as well. Did not realize this could be what you are mentioning now.

Rest your mind lady - rest, rest, rest. No stimulation. Even the computer/reading screen, etc. I do not know if it is treatable. Could be a relapse for you - def. let your neuro know.
-shell

[maxthecat43]

I've had what you describe too.  I think it's some kind of auditory processing disorder....  It's especially bad when I'm having a relapse.  I find that if I am going to an appt, I need to bring someone with me, or else I will not be able to recall what the doctor said.

The issue I was originally thinking of is more like this:

I see and hear people (family/friends- people that I know are speaking the language I speak) and it doesn't sound like english to me.  I can see that they all understand each other, but I can't understand them.  For me, this only seems to last a few minutes...  Maybe it's not receptive aphasia.  All I can say for certain is that it's scary.    

This has only happened three times in the past two years.  I just want to know if it's treatable.  (And if my neurologist is the right doctor...Should I consult a psychiatrist??)

Tammy