Cognitive effects

HopeHeal

Hello, has anyone experienced cognitive effects from chemo. Problems with memory, clear thinking, etc.

Spookiesmom

Chemo brain is real. It affects each one differently. For some, it is minor, and goes away shortly after treatment stops. Others find it to be more bothersome, and really struggle with it.

HopeHeal

Thank you Spookie. I wonder if there is anything I could do to minimize the effects, nutritionally with food or supplements, or otherwise.

Moderators

Hello, HopeHeal!

Many women who are going through chemotherapy treatment say they have "chemo brain" or "chemo fog (difficulty remembering things, thinking, and concentrating before and other cognitive problems during, and/or after treatment). We are sorry you are experiencing this! You may be interested in checking out some of our main site's articles on this side effect, here:

Online Program Seems to Help Ease Chemo Brain

Exercise Helps Ease Fatigue, Chemo Brain

Exercise Boosts Cognition, Helps Ease Chemo Brain

Chemo Brain Update: Cancer-Related Cognitive Decline

We hope this helps! Sending you our best wishes,The Mods

HopeHeal

Thank you Moderators, any information is invaluable. I hope these effects are not permanent! I am a student and don't want to fail my courses. I also live alone and forgetting things (like turning off the stove?) might be dangerous.

ruthbru

I think some of it is that your brain is on overload from the whirl of the diagnosis, decisions you have to make regarding surgery, treatments etc. it is all so much hard, hard stuff to have to process while trying to maintain some sort of balance with your 'real' life. I have always been a list maker and a sticky note user, so I made sure I wrote things done and left sticky notes all over the place for myself. Everyone's reaction to chemo is different but I would encourage you to keep as normal of a schedule as possible. I think it helps to have a focus other than cancer. I was a teacher and kept working during chemo, which I think helped keep me sharper. The other advice I have is to exercise (at whatever level you are able). Exercise increases the blood flow all over the body (including to the brain), and will make you feel better both physically and mentally. I just ate whatever I could stand during chemo so can't offer any advice about healthy eating during chemo. I wouldn't take any supplements without a doctors approval as they could mess up your treatments.

HopeHeal

Thank you ruthbru. Very helpful tips, especially about engaging my intellect to keep the neurons sharp.

ruthbru

The beautician I got my wig from was a BC survivor herself and specialized in wigs and other head coverings for cancer patients, people with alopecia and other illnesses that cause hair loss. Although she knowledged that "chemo brain" does exist, she also had worked with a lot of people who had talked themselves into it. So she really encouraged me to expect that I would do fine and only deal with problems IF they arose.

HopeHeal

That's true, why talk ourselves into problems. Whenever I want to focus on my work though I feel I should be researching this disease so it's hard to work my intellectual abilities.

HopeHeal

My next step is getting fitted for a wig. I happen to love wigs & excited to wear them so don't plan on going bald like some of our sisters.

ruthbru

I did tons of research too, but once I felt I had made the right decisions (except if something unexpected came up), I quit looking. I found myself gravitating to 'the worst case scenario' stuff, which was extremely bad for my mental health. At that point, I just needed to proceed and get it all over with.

Everyone has different feeling on head coverings (none right or wrong), but I needed to look 'normal', again for my mental health. I was to emotionally fragile to deal with other people's reactions to me if I had been obviously sick (and bald in a woman means 'sick' to most people). I couldn't cope with people feeling sorry for me or asking questions or shying away or whatever. I just wanted my interactions with the world to be normal. I wasn't thrilled about wearing a wig by the end, but must say that my 'hair' looked better than it ever has in real life!

I went to a program at my clinic run by the American Cancer Society called 'Look Good, Feel Better' where they gave tons of tips on how to best wear wigs, scarves, make up etc. etc. and they gave out free samples of various beauty products too. I don't know if they still offer that program or not, but if they do, I would definitely recommend it.

HopeHeal

Mental health is very important and I find if I don't protect mine I start jumping out of my skin. There are negative stories and happy ones. One of my doctors told me not to look on Google.

ruthbru

This is a great spot for accurate information, John Hopkins, Mayo, The American Cancer Society. Never, ever trust Dr. Google. You will get into some crazy stuff that could scare you half to death or literally kill you if you follow their advice.