I have those same thoughts. It’s embarrassing that I can’t even say my name. My name starts with a C and just trying to say the first letter of my name triggers my stutter. Sometimes I even use different names that are much easier to say like “Alex.” And when trying to have a conversation, I try to avoid talking much so it just makes things awkward. So I feel you when you say that you’d like to ask them how they are to keep the conversation going. Stuttering makes me have a “shy” personality and I hate it. I wonder every day of those missed opportunities and friendships I could’ve had if I could just talk normally.