anyone else have problems with mind fog during and after chemo?
The pathology from removal of the breast found no cancer cells in the breast or the lymph nodes for which I am very happy with my oncologist chemo recipe he devised for me even though it was the worst thing i ever had to go thru.
My question is has any one else been thru similar and did they experience problems with there mind working properly. I worked thru most of the chemo but my job made it easy for me by giving me tasks that required sitting at a computer. I would forget things but I had google to help my out. I noticed I had problems multi tasking and even forget words when trying to have a comversation. Now with my radiation just finished and only getting herceptin i am out doing my regular job and have found myself forgetting things like doing something my boss has asked me to do, just generally not being a good at my job which has led to a verbal warning and then a written warning when I complained about something she wanted done because I felt it would not give the outcome she wanted and in that written warning she went over again about forgetting to do tasks. I am devistated as I have worked there 22 years and never had any problems. Is this due to the chemo and if so does it go away? I dont want to get fired
. Also this is a new boss who started when I was out having the mastectomy.I think I need someone to tell me this mind fog is normal and it will go away.
Comments
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It seems...
That the nodes near the clavicle seem to be a prominent place for recurrence...mine popped up there 5 weeks ago......
But to answer your question...." Chemo Brain" does exist!!" many studies have proven it.....an article in Cure magazine in the next to last issue addressed this....good article!0 -
I have definitely felt some
I have definitely felt some what what you're feeling. I have no idea if it is related to the chemo, but I have a hard time remembering things sometimes and I've noticed that my thought process is a lot slower now. I'm nervous because I'm going back to school in the fall and I hope it doesn't affect my studies!0 -
Thank GodHootieGirl said:I have definitely felt some
I have definitely felt some what what you're feeling. I have no idea if it is related to the chemo, but I have a hard time remembering things sometimes and I've noticed that my thought process is a lot slower now. I'm nervous because I'm going back to school in the fall and I hope it doesn't affect my studies!
I am not going out of my mind. I am now going to discuss this with my oncologist tomorrow when I go to have my herceptin. I have been hesitant becase I feel like I am going crazy. I read the article in the post above and you should read it to. It will make you feel better.
also discuss it with your oncologist. He might be able to help. Now that I know it happens to others I'm not so self conscious about talking about it and plan on doing just that.0 -
Me, too...
I had taxotere and cytoxan (in the Fall of 2009). I had terrible memory problems. They are getting better now, but they stuck with me for a long time...wait---what was I talking about????
Seriously, the cognitive problems are real. I am truly sorry you are having this to interfere with your job.
Sending good thoughts your way...
Sybil0 -
Chemo brain
I think most of us have experienced chemo brain. I had a lot of trouble finding words. I knew what I wanted to say, but just couldn't get the word out. It's gotten better since finishing chemo on March 24, but I still have a few issues. Maybe I am just old!
Bonnie0 -
Me tooBMS said:Chemo brain
I think most of us have experienced chemo brain. I had a lot of trouble finding words. I knew what I wanted to say, but just couldn't get the word out. It's gotten better since finishing chemo on March 24, but I still have a few issues. Maybe I am just old!
Bonnie
It seems like there's many times I just can't think of the word I'm looking for. Also I sometimes tend to ask the same questions but I did that before chemo so I think in that respect I'm just getting old.
marge0 -
Well, I have posted aboutBMS said:Chemo brain
I think most of us have experienced chemo brain. I had a lot of trouble finding words. I knew what I wanted to say, but just couldn't get the word out. It's gotten better since finishing chemo on March 24, but I still have a few issues. Maybe I am just old!
Bonnie
Well, I have posted about this a few times because honestly it has affected me quite a bit.
I was frightened when this chemo brain first started to happen because not one doctor ever told me
about it.
It was a chemo nurse who heard my concerns one day and explained it to me and quite frankly validated my feelings when I found out that it actually had a name.
October will be 2 years out of chemo and not to worry you because we are all different, but I still have symptoms.
Hugs,
Wanda0 -
chemo brainGuil said:Thank God
I am not going out of my mind. I am now going to discuss this with my oncologist tomorrow when I go to have my herceptin. I have been hesitant becase I feel like I am going crazy. I read the article in the post above and you should read it to. It will make you feel better.
also discuss it with your oncologist. He might be able to help. Now that I know it happens to others I'm not so self conscious about talking about it and plan on doing just that.
Just wanted to chime in also. I have had to use the calendar on my phone for everything even coffee with a friend. I set the alarm and everything. That is on top of having a calendar in the kitchen.
Chemo brain is documented. Not to mention all the other stuff you have to deal with. Maybe you could talk to HR and your doctors to address extending a modified duty at work.
Whether or not you are loosing your mind...? separate issue.
Cindy0 -
mind fog
I got 6 months of chemo along with 1 year Herceptin. Originally, both the oncologist and surgeon told me I need a mastectomy, but after 3 months of chemo the 2 lumps in my breast and cancerous lymph nodes were not visible on the mammogram and PET scan. I had a lumpectomy and 18 lymph nodes were removed, no cancer was found. I had a cancerous intra mammary (?) lymph node, that is apparently rare and cannot be removed through surgery. I got radiation in that area, as well as the whole breast.
Now to chemo fog - attended a seminar some time ago where this issue was discussed - "Long Term Physical Aspects of Treatment - Decline in memory, concentration and multi-tasking" The theory is that chemotherapy is in contact with brain tissue causing damage to nerve cells. Underneath that is says "Brown 2010", maybe the author of that study? So, feed that to your boss!!
Marlene - off to check out some shoes on Zappos before I forget...hahaha0 -
Oh my gosh it's been 9
Oh my gosh it's been 9 months since my last chemo and i STILL forget everything, can't make decisions, and feel like a complete airhead. You're not the only one! It has slowly gotten better the more time goes by though
*hugs*
Heather0 -
chemo brainmruczko said:mind fog
I got 6 months of chemo along with 1 year Herceptin. Originally, both the oncologist and surgeon told me I need a mastectomy, but after 3 months of chemo the 2 lumps in my breast and cancerous lymph nodes were not visible on the mammogram and PET scan. I had a lumpectomy and 18 lymph nodes were removed, no cancer was found. I had a cancerous intra mammary (?) lymph node, that is apparently rare and cannot be removed through surgery. I got radiation in that area, as well as the whole breast.
Now to chemo fog - attended a seminar some time ago where this issue was discussed - "Long Term Physical Aspects of Treatment - Decline in memory, concentration and multi-tasking" The theory is that chemotherapy is in contact with brain tissue causing damage to nerve cells. Underneath that is says "Brown 2010", maybe the author of that study? So, feed that to your boss!!
Marlene - off to check out some shoes on Zappos before I forget...hahaha
Chemo brain is alive and well and I am 3 months out of chemo.
My onc gave me an info sheet about it prior to my starting chemo.
My experience has been very much like the above replies:losing words
that just want come, even though I know what I want to say; forget-
fulness in general and another thing that continues to pester me is
that I cannot seem to learn how to do anything new - like a computer
program or an IPod or my new Bose wave cd radio, etc,etc. By the way
soft music was very good for me when going through the rough parts of
chemo. One thing that has helped me is I now make lists for everything,\
from a grocery list to actually listing what I needed to accomplish
that day. Maybe just jotting down the tasks your boss gives you every
day would keep you on track. You've been there a long time and deserve
a little understanding. Sending you hugs and hoping for a short term
brain fog for you!
Teresa0 -
I had fog during chemo tooHeatherbelle said:Oh my gosh it's been 9
Oh my gosh it's been 9 months since my last chemo and i STILL forget everything, can't make decisions, and feel like a complete airhead. You're not the only one! It has slowly gotten better the more time goes by though
*hugs*
Heather
and believe it is quite common. These chemicals have a huge effect I think on our brains and those effects are not yet well understood but there are enough people having them to know that they exist!
I also think the general stress of having cancer can make you forgetful; there is so much new information and new emotions that we are going through that our brains sometimes get "tangled" trying to process it all.
I make lists to help me keep everything in (more or less!) order.
You are not crazy; many of us experience these kinds of symptoms!
Laura0 -
chemo fog
Chemo Brain is a real after effect of chemo, and you are describing it to a tea. You need to get a letter from your Dr. that explains that Chemo Brain is a reas side effect of the treatment that you have gone through, make sure that you keep a copy and ask this boss of yours to put one in your file. Forgetting things and not having words for things is a real example of what happens after chemo treatment, and in some cases it can go on for a long time. This "boss" needs to lighten up, she is lucky you are even back to work...get a note from your Dr. and don't let this woman push you around, you have been to hell and back, you deserve to be treated like the hero that you are. Call your Dr. and get a note, then she can't fire you. Or you can take her to court if she does. You have a very real medical condition, called chemo brain. love to you, keep up the fight, and God Bless. Sinee0 -
Still feeling itsinee said:chemo fog
Chemo Brain is a real after effect of chemo, and you are describing it to a tea. You need to get a letter from your Dr. that explains that Chemo Brain is a reas side effect of the treatment that you have gone through, make sure that you keep a copy and ask this boss of yours to put one in your file. Forgetting things and not having words for things is a real example of what happens after chemo treatment, and in some cases it can go on for a long time. This "boss" needs to lighten up, she is lucky you are even back to work...get a note from your Dr. and don't let this woman push you around, you have been to hell and back, you deserve to be treated like the hero that you are. Call your Dr. and get a note, then she can't fire you. Or you can take her to court if she does. You have a very real medical condition, called chemo brain. love to you, keep up the fight, and God Bless. Sinee
after 6 years. With Chemo, 6 surgeries and Menopause, my world consists of post it reminders.
Sometimes even in mid sentence, I can struggle remembering a word or name!
Sylvia0 -
Slow computersinee said:chemo fog
Chemo Brain is a real after effect of chemo, and you are describing it to a tea. You need to get a letter from your Dr. that explains that Chemo Brain is a reas side effect of the treatment that you have gone through, make sure that you keep a copy and ask this boss of yours to put one in your file. Forgetting things and not having words for things is a real example of what happens after chemo treatment, and in some cases it can go on for a long time. This "boss" needs to lighten up, she is lucky you are even back to work...get a note from your Dr. and don't let this woman push you around, you have been to hell and back, you deserve to be treated like the hero that you are. Call your Dr. and get a note, then she can't fire you. Or you can take her to court if she does. You have a very real medical condition, called chemo brain. love to you, keep up the fight, and God Bless. Sinee
equals double post!
Sorry 0 -
getting better.....
Oh yes...chemo brain is alive and well in our land! Been 10 months since last chemo infusion and I must admit the fog is lifting but there are times that I cannot think of the word I want to say, or totally forget something. Post it notes are standard equipment for me now, as well as detailed notes on the calendar! But, again, it has improved. I was scared at first...then decided to read, and do a lot of brain teaser type puzzles...thinking that would keep my brain working and not let too much fog in. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. Hang in there.....it will get better but could take a long time. Just like everything else on this journey, I am sure we are all different and will react differently. With my luck, the fog will lift from chemo brain and then alzheimers will visit....and I won't be able to distinguish the change :-) Hugs0 -
chemo brain is alive and wellcavediver said:getting better.....
Oh yes...chemo brain is alive and well in our land! Been 10 months since last chemo infusion and I must admit the fog is lifting but there are times that I cannot think of the word I want to say, or totally forget something. Post it notes are standard equipment for me now, as well as detailed notes on the calendar! But, again, it has improved. I was scared at first...then decided to read, and do a lot of brain teaser type puzzles...thinking that would keep my brain working and not let too much fog in. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. Hang in there.....it will get better but could take a long time. Just like everything else on this journey, I am sure we are all different and will react differently. With my luck, the fog will lift from chemo brain and then alzheimers will visit....and I won't be able to distinguish the change :-) Hugs
I finished chemo in November, right before Thanksgiving, and I'm still foggy at times. I was never good with names but that's gotten a whole lot worse and sometimes I just can't think of the right word that I want to use. Math is not what it was and typing can be a problem too. I'm buying stock in 3M because of all teh sticky notes I use to remind myself of things to do etc. Cure had a great article and if you go to the website you can find even more info. Two things that are suggested are lots of protein and mind exercises like puzzles. Someone posted the results of a study a couple moths ago that said cancer survivors (chemo survivors) are less likely to get Altzheimers. Who can tell!? Anyway, it's something positive to think about. Don't worry, you have lots of company!0 -
I can't speak for anyone else....
But I actually think it's a GREAT asset!!!!
I plan on using "chemo brain" for the rest of my life!!!! (MUCH better than old age!!!).
Yes, all kidding aside, I did and still occasionally do have my 'fogs'. As cancer warriors, we become part of the 'walking wounded'...
Hugs, Kathi0 -
I didn't have chemo, but, IHootieGirl said:I have definitely felt some
I have definitely felt some what what you're feeling. I have no idea if it is related to the chemo, but I have a hard time remembering things sometimes and I've noticed that my thought process is a lot slower now. I'm nervous because I'm going back to school in the fall and I hope it doesn't affect my studies!
I didn't have chemo, but, I did feel like this somewhat. I think it was just so much to take in, just being diagnosed and then the surgery and rads, that it took its toll on me.
Sue 0
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