Cognitive and Emotional Effects of Breast Cancer Study

notme
notme Member Posts: 161
edited June 2014 in Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results

I am 6 years out now of stage 3.  Since then nobody wants to believe that treatment has adversely affected my brain functioning for so long.  Now there is some proof.  Halleleujah.  Here's a link to the webinar presentation of the study results.  Chemo brain is real!

http://blog.armyofwomen.org/2012/07/research-webinar-cognitive-and-emotional-effects-of-breast-cancer-study/

notme

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for posting that link.

    This article by Hollye Jacobs that recently appeared in The Huffington Post really hit the nail on the head for where I am 3 years post-chemo:  

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hollye-harrington-jacobs/chemo-brain_b_1682804.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

    It's good to know we're not alone!

    Deanna 

       

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited August 2012

    I did not have chemo, but 2 months to the day of stopping arimidex, I swore I had a mild stroke or started getting alzheimer's.  My memory had always been stellar.  Now, I have to back track to make sure I fed the cats!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • notme
    notme Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2012

    That is interesting.  I also took Arimidex.  It messed me up pretty bad with lots of tendon issues.  Hearing from you makes me wonder if it also contributed to my cognitive decline.  My theory is that by depriving our bodies of estrogen earlier in life, we become older sooner.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • notme
    notme Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for the blog post.  Pretty much describes me as well, 6 years out.  While reading it, I had a comment to make, but honestly, I don't remember it now!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2012

    Taxotere and probably Arimidex did a number on my tendons too.  Acupuncture has really been helpful.  My brain...definitely not as smart as I used to be, but you'll just have to take my word on that. lol  I have trouble finding the right words in conversation very frustrating.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PinkyWI
    PinkyWI Member Posts: 73
    edited August 2012

    My MO is doing a study, of which I am part of, looking at chemo fog/fatigue/brain.  He believes it is a real thing.  Each time I go, they take about four tubes of blood and I fill out a questionnaire.  I have no doubt that he will find information supporting this in his study and hopefully by contributing to it, I will be of some small part in helping people in the future to combat this.  He did tell me that there is proof that chemo does change the structure of some cells.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • notme
    notme Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2012

    Ontario - Yes!  It is very frustrating communicating.  Other than folks over 80, only we understand.

    Pinky - That must be fullfilling to be able to contribute.  Hope you do not have the brain side-effects, or any side-effects!

    My treatment was 6 years ago, but I would still opt for the chemo knowing that it can be mentally debilitating.  The alternate choice is just not acceptable.  I am also glad to hear that some of the oncs are coming around to believe that it is not our imagination.  My onc never supported me on this.  She has since left the practice.  She was a very good doctor medically, so it is a pity she chooses not to practice anymore.  I resent that she did not believe me, but then again, she saved my life.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories