Tamoxifen: Brain fog

mamakct

I have been taking Tamoxifen for 3+ years, and I just heard a connection to brain fog. I'm definitely suffering from brain fog--inability to retain information, confusion, feeling scattered. I had attributed it to the trauma of diagnosis and a couple of simultaneous life changes--or to peri-menopause, but I'm wondering if there is something to this. If you have experienced, I would be curious if it lifts after the 5 year Rx, and I would also be interested in some self-care recommendations to help. I did feel it lift when I went to Kripalu for a few days--no tv, daily yoga, limited electronics, super-healthy food, no news. I'm considering drastically reducing or eliminating TV and internet. I do lean toward alternative medicine. My coach recommended weekly detox baths of epsom salts and baking soda. Any other recommendations from the community?

LiLBit1067

Hi mamkct,

I have been taking Tamoxifen for a year now. I too have the brain fog, inability to retain information, and thinking of everyday words when talking with someone. It is extremely frustrating to say the least. I have blamed most of this on menopause.....when I started taking Tamoxifen, I was thrown right into menopause. So I think everything got a little outa wack. Maybe it's the combination of both Tamoxifin and menopause that gives me foggy brain?? I hope things get better for you soon

Annie-B-7-14

I'm in the same boat- going toask my doc about it next week.

danesmom

I have been taking Arimidex since Nov 2012 prior to that I took Tamoxifen from Sept 2008- Nov2012. I have severe brain fog which includes memory loss, comprehension problems, inability to concentration and confusion.

I have started a Facebook page about Arimidex side effects - please check it out and like the page If I can get enough people struggling with these terrible side effects I am getting a lawyer.

search on Facebook ...... Arimidex brain fog!!

Thanks and God Bless !

gardengypsy

Hello~ Joining this thread. I've recently had a full neuropsychological evaluation that shows plenty of cognitive issues - problems with fluid reasoning, executive functioning, memory, fatigue and anxiety.

The docs attribute it to chemotherapy; I believe that the T intensifies the experience. I would love to see some research on this topic. Is it out there?

I just enrolled in a mindfulness class in an oncology-based program here. I think it will be a lot work, but I have to do something good for my brain.

mgstauff

Hi. My mom's taking Taxmoxifen for breast cancer (post surgery) and is having terrible "Brain fog". Mostly memory problems, but some other cognitive symptoms as well, simply not thinking stright. It's very frustrating.

I've just started researching, and came across this article (and many others) that mentions a study that supports that brain fog is real (seem. s women have had their symptoms dismissed at least some in the past), and also mentions a drug that may work to block the symptoms (caused by certain brain cell damage), it's called AZD6244 . I haven't looked into it yet but I thought you all might want to know. If it proves not useful, my sisters and I are considering taking my mom off of Taxmoxifen, because she's 83 and the anguish from the brain fog is seeming less and less worth it.

The article: (I can't post links) search webmd for "Tamoxifen's Mental Side Effects Are Real, Study Shows". It's the second link.

-M

Moderators

Dear mgstauff,

Welcome to the BCO community and thanks for sharing your mom's story. We hope that you will stay connected here on the boards. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. The MOds