Protecting the brain before and during chemo

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Zenmushroom
Zenmushroom Member Posts: 41
edited December 2017 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hello everyone. I’m a 29-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. Tumor size:1.8cm. Receptor Profile: Her2 + Est + Proj - Grade 2

I’m getting surgery soon, a lumpectomy, and then I should be starting chemo the following month. Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin.

The thing that scares me the most about chemo is the damage it can do to the brain. People tell me to stay off the internet for my sanity, but I want to be proactive. I’ve read several clinical studies that confirm chemo can damage white matter in the brain. And that this damage can lead to reduction in memory, attention span, and language skills.

For most “chemo brain” is said to be temporary, but not all.

As a writer, this information terrifies me.

But I’m trying to be proactive to do what I can to protect and perhaps even improve what I have so I don’t lose it. Also, the good news is that white matter can grow back, especially for younger folk, but it can take months if not years to get to where you were before

So far I’ve read that the following can help:

30 minutes exercise a day

Keeping the mind stimulated with apps like Lumosity and learning new skills.

Supplements like Acetyl L Carnitine.

I guess there are other things like Lions Mane mushroom, that stimulates nerve growth and Vitamin E. I know I’m not supposed to take Vitamin E during chemo, can I take it before?

I’m also unsure about the Lions Mane. Is that safe to take before or during?

Thanks!

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited December 2017

    This scared me too. I am a writer and editor, so mushy brains are not helpful :D I had extensive chemo (4XFEC + 4XTaxotere) with a mastectomy in the middle. Towards the end of the chemo, I was VERY tired, mentally and otherwise. However, I studied a language and played games throughout, sudoku, Candy Crush, whatever, and I walked every single day, often quite far. When I got tired, I would walk in the morning, before the fatigue hit full on. It took me some months to recover, but for me it really was temporary, and during the times when I was affected, I found that I could still do the things I used to do, it just took me longer and I had to pace myself better. So my best advice is to work on the assumption that you will be fine, even if there are blips along the way, and to keep plugging at it, even if gets a bit challenging at times.

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  • Zenmushroom
    Zenmushroom Member Posts: 41
    edited December 2017

    Thanks, Momine. I'm also an editor. It's good to hear you recovered. Did you take any supplements that helped

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited December 2017

    Hi Zen,

    I'm a college professor, and I was able to teach through chemo. I found it helped to be well-rested and to have detailed notes, just in case I lost my train of thoughts. I'm over three years out now, and believe that my brain is back to where it was before.

    Many oncologists prefer that their patients don't do supplements during chemo. Before chemo? I'm not so sure. Whatever you decide to do, I'd clear it with your oncologist first.

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  • IntegraGirl
    IntegraGirl Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2017

    I'm a lawyer and went through 4 FEC and 4 Docetaxol. I continued practicingthroughout treatment. I got tired during chemo but no chemo brain.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited December 2017

    Zen, the more I read about supplements, the more I avoided them.The only thing I did take religiously through chemo (with onc's blessing) was probiotics. It helped against thrush and the like.

    Some supplements can interfere with treatment. Others can harm you. I think it is more important to focus on good nutrition. Get your veggies, eat on a schedule if your appetite is so-so. Make sure you get enough protein and healthy fats.

    And do ask your onc, if he/she has any recommendations or tricks.

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