Cognitive effects

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.

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

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.

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.