Foggy Brain-3 Years After Chemo Treatment

bluesky

My last chemo treatment was April 3, 2007, I have been on Tamoxifen for 3 years and went into menopause after 2nd chemo treatment.  Most days I feel good, however every week or sometimes every other week I experience days in which I am in a foggy state, with mild memory loss, sometimes difficulty comprehending things that I am reading or conversations that I am listening to. I also at times feel off balance and overcome with anxiety. Lately I have been more stressed than usual due to job loss and I'm wondering if this has something to do with it along with the chemo brain or is it the tamoxifen or menopause or all of the above?  It's so frustrating because I was very not like this prior to chemo.  

Is anyone else experiencing this?  

lamuso

Hello Bluesky.  I am sorry to hear you lost your job.  I am two years out from chemo.  I have a difficult time with my short term memory.  I work in a school setting (high school math) and it can be very frustrating at times.  At home in casual conversation with my husband and kids I often forget what we are talking about in the middle of a conversation.  Yes, some of this is due to my wandering mind.... but I never had memory issues like I do now.  My oncologist doesn't believe in memory loss due to chemo so this adds to my stress.  I am 48 and I wonder if this is just 'getting older' stuff.  I'm still convinced chemo has played in to this though.  Have you asked your oncologist about this?  I have a friend who sees a different oncologist in the same building who does believe the chemo does something with memory.... short term particularly.

ordinarymammal

Hi Bluesky and lamuso

I am in the middle of chemo (TC x 4) and have been absolutely freaking out over how foggy and impaired I've been, and wondering if it is "permanent."

I just bought this book, "Your Brain After Chemo" (2009 Silverman and Davidson). Dan Silverman MD, PhD is UCLA researcher and Idelle Davidson is a journalist who went through breast cancer therapy.  I have only skimmed the book so far, but (1) They say neuroimaging shows cognitive changes 5-10 years post chemo (2) tamoxifen can increase the cognitive impairment...and (3) there are diet, physical, pharmaceutical, and lifestyle changes you can make to improve cognitive function.

 Here is an article they wrote called "What to ask your doctor about post-chemo brain":

http://news.cancerconnect.com/your-brain-after-chemo/

Here is a blog where folks are telling their stories:

http://yourbrainafterchemo.blogspot.com/

There is a NY Times article by Jane Brody describing what they suggest for recovery, but I can't remember how to find it...

I still don't have enough information about whether I will recover from the damage I might have already inflicted on myself, and whether there is any way to protect my brain if I decide to continue with the recommended 4 rounds.

Edited to include wikipedia article on "Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-chemotherapy_cognitive_impairment 

navygirl

The irony of me finding this thread today; I just said to my girlfriend that I really feel like my chemo brain is getting worse! I'm 18 months out from finishing chemo, I thought it was as bad as it was going to get but these past few weeks - I am having a horrible time with remembering things, finding words, remembering what was just said to me or by me. I'm going to have to check out these links so I am more aware of what's happening and what I can do about it...it's gotten to the point where I'm finding mistakes I've made at work and that's just not something I can accept. 

navygirl

adding to my favorites, just in case I forget where I saw the thread

bluesky

lamuso-I brought up the chemo brain to my oncologist while I was going thru the treatment and he said that it was normal and would eventually repair itself. I have not brought it up again as approximately 6 months after chemo I was making progress and my memory, comprehension, loss of words, seemed to be improving over the last 2 years, but in the last few months it seems to have reverted back a little, I am very stressed out about it, because I am looking for work and really need to be at my best.......It is a known fact that chemo decreases brain function,  I read that the brain eventually can repair itself, I read this 3.5 years ago written by Japanese scientists in a NY Times article. 

ordinary mammal-Thank you so much for all the info, I'm going to get this book and start researching all that I can to help myself improve this situation. 

It is very upsetting because I used to be very witty, sharp at grasping things and had a great memory, short and long term, I know some of it is aging I'm going to be 46 in October, but still this is too much for 46......I won't accept this.  But I do have to say at times I'm just so overwhelmed by it all, I'm grateful to be healthy, but it's been such a long road, I still have 25 pounds to lose, a disfigured breast, and now the mind.............It's really too much sometimes...(( 

carcharm

Thank you for this post. I am 6 mo out from chemo and still getting herceptin. Herceptin, I believe, does cross the BB barrier. The minute the infusion starts I go into that fog. The nurses always ask are you OK? But than turn around and say that some of the issues I have-brain fog, peeling skin, hives-are not related to Herceptin. They say that noone they know has these types of issues. I know that before chemo I was perimenopausal and noticed short term memory issues but now-wow- it's bad. My kids make fun of me when I can't think of a word. I just took a job where I will be educating coders and physicians... I am so scared I'll be up there stuttering tyring to find the words I need...cancer sucks.

Joviangeldeb

Am glad I read your post.  I am currently 2 years and 3 months out of chemo and I still have short term memory loss.  It gets frustrating but fortunately my work and husband seems to understand.  I do know my coworkers have noticed it, but they are supportive of my lapses in memory.  My oncologist told me it was normal post chemo, too.  Mine is not improving yet, though.  I believe mine is a combination of chemo, and no hormones with tamoxifen and post full abdominal hysterectomy.  I don't have my ovaries anymore.   It helps knowing I'm not alone and I hear there is research going on about this.  I hope it helps people in the future.