Arimidex and Chemo Brain

Yes, I also did not have chemo, yet feel like I have lost my brain. I literally can say a sentence, get to the end and forget the last word. I pause, then finally get it, but in the mean time I feel like people must think I am either stupid or old. I hate it. Words used to be my strength. I actually was talking to my asst. superintendent and forgot what I was saying, said out loud, "rewind," and still couldn't finish the sentence. That was after a sleepless night so now when I have insomnia I am really careful who I talk to. As far as what to do, I try to get more sleep, and also think about what I want to say before I speak. Novel idea, I know.

I had chemo in 2012 but my brain functioned fine, I never had word recall problems or anything like that. Fast forward to this year, my 5th year of aromatase inhibitors (started with Anastrazole, switched to Letrozole after bad insomnia from Anastrazole, then after a year or so switched back to Anastrazole after dizziness/vertigo from Letrozole, then back to Letrozole after 14 months due to severe joint pain/hot flashes/insomnia/arthritis/eye hemorrhages on Anastrazole). I can say that I am now struggling with word recall on a regular basis and I know it's from the AI's because on those rare occasions when I've been able to sleep mostly through the night without wakening or at least being able to go right back to sleep, I have no problem at all with cognitive function. But even with Letrozole I now have regular insomnia and unless I take half an Atavan, I wake frequently. I'm writing this at 6am having been awake since around 12:30; I gave up trying to sleep. Luckily I'm off work today. I have 2 months to go and then I'm done and I hope I get back some of the brain cells I feel I've lost.