Chemo fog, chemo brain - how long?

notme

After 4 AC and 4 taxol dose dense, I completed chemo Oct 18, 2006. I still have cognitive impairment. My onc says that it lasts a year and that since I also have to recover from the subsequent surgery and radiation (ended Feb 22, 2007) that the fog and fatigue can last longer. I guess there are high demands on my body to heal.

Will this ever end? I want my brain back!

Anonymous

This might help...Our Debbie/thebandleader was featured in an article in the NY Times about chemobrain awhile ago and this more recent article synopsises the gist of the NYT one: http://www.breastcancermarathon.com/ It seems that, for most of us, the fog starts to lift after about 1 - 1 1/2 years, but it takes a bit longer for others. Have hope though...one day you'll just realize that you've got your mind back! I took lots of cognitive quizzes (Braingle.com) and did crossword puzzles. I think it helped and I noticed improvement over time.

Hang in there...and be patient with yourself. You've been through alot!

Marin

sharebear

The brain thing is a joke around our house. I also have epilepsy and the epilepsy drugs have the same fog effect. Then add in post menopausal which makes you forget things and then chemo brain.....you have to admit it's funny. I actually haven't noticed it getting any worse. It's just another day in the neighborhood with lots of post-it-notes!

Sharon

Jorf

Ah yes. My DH gets to say he has chemo brain when he does stupid stuff too. I say it's related to my 4 head injuries, chemo and now, menopause too! I may not be so bad but I seem to be right on par with all of my non-chemo'ed friends. Certainly more than I was pre-chemo, pre-menopause.

No matter what causes it there's no real "cure". I think what we need to do is learn to live with it. Make lists, be more careful about stuff, tell people what we're doing. Safety kinds of things.

gracejon

I agree with Jorf. Try to learn to live with it. Whether the cause is chemo, menopause or aromatase inhibitors/tamoxifen. I think finding solutions to use in everyday life is important.

notme

I never expected this and then when it happened, I expected it to go away when the chemo ended.

For a while this spring, I started having some good days where I was actually multi-tasking and feeling productive. Now my brain is gone again.

I want to heal and move on with BC being an illness I once had. The BC cells are dead yet BC still consumes my life.

Lauri_S

I couldn't read a book during chemo. I didn't have the mental strength to concentrate for that long. I'd get through one paragraph and couldn't remember what I had read. I was working full time during chemo so I think I gave all my brain power to work.

A few months after I finished A/C and Taxol I found I could enjoy reading again.

But I no longer multitask - especially when it comes to people talking to me. I used to be able to listen to someone while doing something else. Now if I do that I won't remember a single WORD that person said. Drives my DH nuts - I always ask him to repeat himself.

So now I simply stop what I'm doing and give the person my full attention.

NancyM

Get a little notebook and write notes to yourself - include the date and put as much detail as you can (for example "call Suzy on Monday to set up haircut appointment" vs. "call Suzy" because you won't remember who Suzy is or why you need to call her - this is a true example). If you can, keep these pages in the notebook so you can refer back to them. After a few days, look back at the checkmarks next to the things that were accomplished - it will help you to see how much you ARE doing! And, if you forget dates it makes a good reference book.

It will get better - don't get discouraged! It's so hard not to get depressed over how you "used" to be. I found that exercise helps, too. Good luck!

sjandtj

I am for years  out since chemo I still have terrible chemo brain and neuropathy from the chemo!

I try not to be obsesst about breast cancer treatment and the long term problems it cause,,,,then praying upi don't have a reacurrance and have to go back for chemo!!!

I have terrible fatigue and joint pain also!  We got to keep up the fight for women and remined as many as we can to get there mamo's yearly!!!!