How long does chemo brain last?

Dawn46

hello everyone, I am a 6 year survivor and seem to be still having effects of chemo brain? I find it hard to learn new tasks, trouble with short term memory. Had to give up a 911 job due to inability to multitask anymore. I have depression, and recently was advised anxiety. I have prior back issues which just started acting up. Almost feels like I'm falling apart. Don't know if it's due to age, prior chemo, or being forced into menopause by chemo. Was just wondering if anyone has issues this far out? Thanks.

MinusTwo

Dawn - I looked back at some of your prior posts. Are you still on Lexapro? Did you ever to see a neurologist as recommended? That might be the best place to get answers. I agree, I don't multi-task as well as I used to - now 3 years out. I have moments of forgetfulness that I choose to blame on Chemo, but I suspect it's mostly age.

macb04

I think for some unlucky people, "chemobrain" never ends. Brain scans show differences if you have had poisonous "treatment " by the bc industry. They have seen these cognitive changes in women 20 years out, some much worse than others. I think all are damaged, it is just a matter of degree. I am taking Lion's Mane Mushroom extract,and I think it has made a big difference when I had to learn a new computer system for my job. Nobody at the job I started a few months ago knows, and it looks like I can keep it that way, thank goodness.

Artista928

I had major depression and anxiety before bc. If you are off your meds, get back on. May not help with chemo brain but my celexa and buspar keep me functional.

ChemicalWorld

Dawn46, I am around the same timeframes as you (possibly same age?), and still have some issues with this. I find it is at its worst when I am really tired or stressed (i.e. I feel like my brain barely works at all around yearly test time, for eg). I have a high stress job where I have to think on my feet and analyze, and I find it difficult to learn new things as well. I have a few workarounds that help, but sometimes it is difficult to explain it to other people, so I typically don't. I mentioned it to someone at work recently just in casual conversation and got the "oh that's just getting older, I'm the same way etc etc". I definitely do NOT think this is just chalked up to getting older, maybe early menopause doesn't help, but I had issues before I got on Lupron as well, and was premenopausal until then. I somehow have a hard time believing that all people my age forget that they made a phone call two minutes before, can't remember the name of a person they see every single day, forget their words or mix them up.

Nothing wrong with my long-term memory though, I can remember song lyrics, obscure facts and all the embarrassing things I've ever done in my life, lol.

MARIONSGIRL

Dawn46 I am one year out from starting hormone therapy, Aromasin and have memory problems and cognitive issues. I saw my MO yesterday for 3 month check up and he said my problem could be chemo brain, hormone therapy or getting older. I'm 65. Whatever the reason, I hate it and have made mistakes at my job. I have to leave reminder notes for myself all the time. I was a 911 Operator for 17 years but left that job before the cancer was diagnosed. Maryellen

Kattis894

I would like to know the answer to that question too. I feel depressed and can not even perform the easiest of tasks at the moment. I did receive some medication for anxiety but it seems to get worse with the pills. I think it is not unusual for this experience to "hit you" after treatment when you have time to sort your emotions of the trauma. What happened to me? Thanks for this board.

mustlovepoodles

Dawn, I am 15mo PFC (post-final chemo) and all I can say is, chemo brain is a real thang! My short-term memory is very short. My concentration is poor. When I read a book I often have to re-read sections. It takes forever to get through a book! And the same with recipes. I had considered taking some college classes, but there is no way I could keep up with the reading and research. Last year I took a major test for certification in my field and I was stressed to the max. I passed the test, but it was traumatic.

I don't know hwat the answer is, other than writing everything down and keeping everything in its place. I take meds, but they don't seem to help the chemo brain.

Biminicat

Kattis894, I have often wondered the same thing. After the diagnosis and all the treatments if one does not reflect back and start to absorb what just happened. "Did that really just happen?" sort of thing. I find that I am easily distracted and make stupid mistakes that I previously would not made. I guess I had better start "excercising" my brain! My primary care Dr. prescribed Lexipro and I absolutely hated it. Nothing made me really happy, nothing made me sad either. I had no affect at all and felt "stoned" all the time. I stopped taking it and feel better emotionally again just struggling a bit with organization.