Chemo Brain-have you experienced this?

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slv58
slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
edited April 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I'm a year PFC and have really noticed what I think must be chemo brain. I would really like to describe what I'm going through as 'stupid brain' lol. Sometimes the things I say in retrospect astound me with how stupid it sounds. It's also things I do. We are looking after my step daughters cat so we have two bowls-one for ours-of water. This morning I got one bowl, went to the washroom to fill it with water, then returned to a different room to realize I was in the wrong room! I've been uttering 'chemo brain' to account for the numerous incidences I've been experiencing and last night my husband retorted that there is no such thing as chemo brain. That this is a myth. I felt really hurt, like he has somehow stopped supporting what I have been going through. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed a change in themselves after chemo? Maybe it's the menopause I've been slammed into? Honestly, I really don't like the brain I've been left with and can only hope this will improve with more time.....please!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    Here are some links for your husband to read.  While he may not believe that chemo brain exists, a significant number of scientists and physicians do, and I would wager that money would not be spent on studies (the last link summarizes them) if there was not thought that this is a quantifiable issue.  Good luck!

    http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/chemotherapyeffects/chemo-brain

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

    http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130222/New-research-offers-clues-for-chemotherapy-induced-cognitive-impairment.aspx

    http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/22/11/2233.full

    http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/22/11/2233/T1.expansion.html

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited June 2014

    Thanks SpecialK, I will read them when I have more time but appreciate your input. I feel like I'm walking around in a fog all the time and forget about multitasking!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited June 2014

    Here's another link, if you are still talking to your husband that is.

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/253277.ph...

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  • Jen987
    Jen987 Member Posts: 145
    edited June 2014

    That's exactly how I describe it.  I feel like I'm in a fog. I have been using the excuse of "chemo brain" for a year now.  I hope it gets better.

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited June 2014

    Jen987, did you find any difference from going through treatment and now? I noticed the "fog" during chemo, but seemed to lift with passing time between treatments. I've just been noticing that I really haven't returned to my normal state, especially in social situations I'm forgetting things that I normally wouldn't and as I said before, I shock myself with the most senseless comments. Is this the new me? 

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  • floaton
    floaton Member Posts: 181
    edited June 2014

    Ugh slv58, I hear you.  I've lost track of how many times I've said "I want my brain back" in the past few months.  The word finding is better, but it's still hard to plan ahead and my brain just gets tired easily (with a return to word finding issues) if I try to read or even socialize for too long or think critically / solve problems.  I was just looking at a YouTube video on chemobrain (by Dr. Meyer at Dana farber) and it was really interesting talking about which parts of the brain are effected (affected? - ha can't blame chemo brain for that one I've never been able to tell which to use :)!) to make us feel like we do, and a few ideas on how to make it better (besides time, of course).  One of the things she mentioned were these brain exercises at www.positscience.com and I was wondering if anyone had heard of them and/or had tried them to help with the fog??  I'm thinking about trying them - figure it probably won't hurt!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited June 2014

    floaton, I just had my 6 month check up yesterday and the first mammo since surgery a year ago. No results yet but I did talk to my onc about my chemo brain issues. She took great concern and asked me a lot of questions. I have been experiencing " light headedness" as well. I explained that forgetfulness is one thing, but I've noticed over the past few weeks I often pick an incorrect word when I talk- it's close, but I can't find the right word. I used ground instead of road. Ill realize almost immediately that it's the wrong word, but it takes awhile for me to get it. I guess the alarms went up and she is scheduling an MRI of my brain. Now I'm scared I have brain mets. Ugh, just when I started feeling like I was getting my life back. 

    She did say that chemo brain only really affects 20% of women! but everything I have read suggests more. I really like my MO, and am happy she is being aggressive, but I'm scared. I also got lots of bloodwork and everything looks normal. 

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  • birdlady222
    birdlady222 Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2014

    My hospital sends out a monthly newsletter, and this month's front page article was titled "12 Ways to Cope With "Chemo Brain"

    I have experienced my own problems with it, especially not being able to find words.

    The information came from www.caring.com

    When you get to the site, type chemo brain into the search at the top.  There are several good articles about chemo brain, and how to cope with it, for patients and caregivers.  This is a very real condition, and it helps to have some great information on how to deal with it. 

    Hope this helps you!

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  • floaton
    floaton Member Posts: 181
    edited June 2014

    Slv58, Glad to hear your mo is taking you seriously and that your bloodwork was good.  Fingers crossed here for a normal MRI for you and an alternative (fixable) cause to your recent problems so you can get back to "normal" life again!!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited June 2014

    floaton, thank you for your good wishes! I really hate that my feelings are going to that dark area. I'm trying to stay positive, but being triple neg leaves me feeling very insecure. I'm not sure if it's nerves, but I feel my ' light headed ness' is increasing. Please let it be something fixable!

    Hope everyone is enjoying the week end!

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  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited April 2015

    A friend of mine was just asking about what to do with Chemo Brain. Thanks for the tips and links.

    Someone else said her doctor recommended the Luminosity brain-game site...

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