Chemo Brain?

Hubby43
Hubby43 Member Posts: 4
in Breast Cancer #1
My wife underwent chemo therapy for Her2 positive breast cancer, including tamoxifen, concluding about two years ago. Just when we thought we'd seen just about everything, along comes "Chemo Brain", or so the doctors tell me.

I've heard the nurses talk and joke about it; the forgetfulness, blond moments and absent-mindedness, but my wife had an experience last week that concerns me, and maybe some of you can tell me if my concern is unwarranted.

The forgetfulness has appeared in the last couple of months, and has been mostly minor, like forgetting appointments, losing keys...things I do on a normal day myself...

But a few weekends ago, I left by myself on a short trip, that we had been discussing for weeks. When I got there, I was snowed in by a blizzard, and called and texted her through the whole thing, laughing and joking about it. When I got home, we talked about it extensively, and she was jealous she couldn't go with, and even started making her own plans for a trip herself.

The very next day, she had no recollection of me even being gone. She couldn't recall the trip I made, or why I was gone. It took her several moments, and hints from me to recall it. Later that night, again, she had no memory of me being gone, and actually thought I was at an event with her while I was away.

Does a memory lapse like that come under the heading of "Chemo Brain"? I've never seen anything like that in her before.

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    Not chemo brain...
    I would say this is not related to chemo of two years ago...don't know of anyone who has experienced this type of memory lapse due to chemo...I would strongly suggest making an appointment with her primary care physician...sooner rather than later...not to scare you but I really can't imagine this being related to chemo...forgetting where you put your keys, getting distracted, etc...normal...from my experience chemo brain, was more like a fogginess...inability to concentrate,fatigue.... those types of things...not a total lapse of memory, like you described....I am 21 months out of chemo...never experienced such... Don't know of anyone who has....due to chemo... I worked in Ophthalmology for years..not a doctor, but this sounds more neurological to me...

    Please keep us posted..
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #3
    Concerned Husband
    I have had and still do chemo brain, and it comes with some memory loss, not being able to recall names, forgetting keys, going into a room to get something and forgetting why I was there, but never this intense.

    I think for you to come to this board you are feeling that something isn't right. Go with your gut instinct. I would rather it be on the safe side and find nothing than wait and end up it being something that could have been fixed! Never hurts to have her call her doctor.

    Glad you came on!
    ~Carol
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #4
    It does not sound like chemo
    It does not sound like chemo brain to me either and I would be concerned. I would share your concerns with her physician. My prayers are with you both.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #5
    It does not sound like chemo
    It does not sound like chemo brain to me either and I would be concerned. I would share your concerns with her physician. My prayers are with you both.
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #6
    CypressCynthia said:

    It does not sound like chemo
    It does not sound like chemo brain to me either and I would be concerned. I would share your concerns with her physician. My prayers are with you both.

    It doesn't sound like chemo
    It doesn't sound like chemo brain to me either. I agree with Cynthia, I would ask her doctor.
    Best of luck to you both.
  • jendrey
    jendrey Member Posts: 377
    #7
    Lighthouse_7 said:

    It doesn't sound like chemo
    It doesn't sound like chemo brain to me either. I agree with Cynthia, I would ask her doctor.
    Best of luck to you both.

    ...
    Or something like that...the other morning I went to the store and bought some pastries because I hadn't 'treated' myself to any in awhile. Or so I truly believed. Imagine my surprise when I opened the cupboard to put them away and saw there already was a box sitting there on the shelf.

    I have just absolutely no recollection whatsoever of buying the first box. Now, to be able to go the store, I first have to move either a truck or car out of the driveway then get in my vehicle and navigate through the extensive road work which includes many stops and starts. Oh, but before all that I have to feed the 5 outside cats to get past the door.

    It wasn't until I looked at the receipts (I save EVERY receipt!) that I could remember buying the first box. Even then, I immediately forgot again.

    When D. opened the cupboard while asking me at the same time if we had any pastries I again saw the other box and was, initially, mystified as to how they got there. But then I did remember looking at the receipts and only then I remembered that I'd also bought the first box.

    I finished chemo about 11 months ago.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #8
    Sounds to me like a good
    Sounds to me like a good general physical is in order.
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #9
    Memory Loss
    While "chemo brain" can manifest itself differently in each individual, my first thought was that the symptoms that you describe do NOT sound like chemo brain to me. Just because one has been treated for cancer does not mean that you are immune from developing other types of medical issues. Perhaps your wife should be examined by a neurologist - sooner rather than later. That doctor may want to order tests such as a brain MRI. There are a number of brain-based medical conditions that affect memory. Good luck to both of you. I think it is wonderful that you care enough and are observant enough to ask for help.
  • Hippiechick58
    Hippiechick58 Member Posts: 320
    #10
    jessiesmom1 said:

    Memory Loss
    While "chemo brain" can manifest itself differently in each individual, my first thought was that the symptoms that you describe do NOT sound like chemo brain to me. Just because one has been treated for cancer does not mean that you are immune from developing other types of medical issues. Perhaps your wife should be examined by a neurologist - sooner rather than later. That doctor may want to order tests such as a brain MRI. There are a number of brain-based medical conditions that affect memory. Good luck to both of you. I think it is wonderful that you care enough and are observant enough to ask for help.

    What type of medication is
    What type of medication is your wife on? I know that several can produce memory lapses. Ativan is one of them. Maybe you could review her meds and check out if they might be playing a role in her neurological condition. I wish you the best of luck!

    Be Well,
    Dianne
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #11
    Call her doctor please!
    The bottom line is...call her doctor. Could be meds or could be something serious, but, whatever it is, your wife deserves to be seen asap.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #12
    I just reread your original
    I just reread your original post and if I'm understanding it right - she's been off of Tamoxifen for 2 years? Especially if that is true, she really needs to be seen ASAP!

    Susan
  • Hubby43
    Hubby43 Member Posts: 4
    #13
    Thanks
    Wow, thanks for all the input. I have to correct... Her chemo included Taxotere and Herceptin. Maybe I'm the one with chemo brain. She's now taking exemestane.

    Thank you so much for the information and sincere input. I finally talked to one of her nurses, who will visit with the doctor about it. Yes, she also thought that kind of memory lapse was strange, and is doing some investigating as we speak. I thought maybe I was just being paranoid about it, but it seems the concern was warranted.

    Thanks again. You're all wonderful!
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #14
    Hubby43 said:

    Thanks
    Wow, thanks for all the input. I have to correct... Her chemo included Taxotere and Herceptin. Maybe I'm the one with chemo brain. She's now taking exemestane.

    Thank you so much for the information and sincere input. I finally talked to one of her nurses, who will visit with the doctor about it. Yes, she also thought that kind of memory lapse was strange, and is doing some investigating as we speak. I thought maybe I was just being paranoid about it, but it seems the concern was warranted.

    Thanks again. You're all wonderful!

    Thoughts and prayers!
    You both are in our thoughts and prayers!
  • Texasgirl10
    Texasgirl10 Member Posts: 668
    #15
    Rague said:

    Thoughts and prayers!
    You both are in our thoughts and prayers!

    Call her Dr
    Please call her doctor. This sounds like it's more than just chemo brain. It is normal to forget names, places, things, but this sounds scarey. Please do not put this off, call her doctor ASAP.

    Good luck to both of you. My family and I will be praying for you both.

    Dawne
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #16
    Texasgirl10 said:

    Call her Dr
    Please call her doctor. This sounds like it's more than just chemo brain. It is normal to forget names, places, things, but this sounds scarey. Please do not put this off, call her doctor ASAP.

    Good luck to both of you. My family and I will be praying for you both.

    Dawne

    Can't add anything
    except prayers for you both. Please call the Dr. ASAP.

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