anyone else have problems with mind fog during and after chemo?

Guil
Guil Member Posts: 4
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi every one. I was dx with stage 3 or 4 her2 pos breast cancer with mets to a lymph node near my collar bone in october. the qusetion of wether it is stage 3 or 4 is my oncologist and surgeon conld never agree on this point but i liked them both and didnt want to change doctors. I went thru 6 rounds of high dose cytoxin, taxotere, andramycin and herceptin. I am still getting herceptin. After that I had a mastectomy per my surgeons advise. My oncologist didnt agree as he felt that given his dx of stage 4 cancer if it was going to come back the removal of the breast wouldnt change anything as there was no way to tell that it would come back in the breast. Along with my breast my surgeon removed 18 lymphnodes but was unable to get to the ones near my collar bone. I then had radiation rx from my neck down to my breast.
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.
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Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    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!
  • HootieGirl
    HootieGirl Member Posts: 85
    #3
    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!
  • Guil
    Guil Member Posts: 4
    #4
    HootieGirl 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!

    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.
  • CAchick
    CAchick Member Posts: 277
    #5
    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...
    Sybil
  • BMS
    BMS Member Posts: 127
    #6
    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
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #7
    BMS 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

    Me too
    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.

    marge
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #8
    BMS 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

    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,
    Wanda
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #9
    Guil 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.

    chemo brain
    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. ;)

    Cindy
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #10
    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
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #11
    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
  • gami43
    gami43 Member Posts: 281
    #12
    mruczko 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
    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!
    Teresa
  • dbhadra
    dbhadra Member Posts: 344 Member
    #13
    Heatherbelle 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

    I had fog during chemo too
    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!

    Laura
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #14
    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
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #15
    sinee 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

    Still feeling it
    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!

    Sylvia
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #16
    sinee 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

    Slow computer
    equals double post!

    Sorry :)
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #17
    Never lost the chemo brain after the first round
    And now I have it back...... It drives my boys nuts.
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #18
    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
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #19
    cavediver 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

    chemo brain is alive and well
    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!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #20
    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, Kathi
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #21
    HootieGirl 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
    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 :)

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