chemo brain

Gcook
Gcook Member Posts: 25
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello I stopped chemotherapy on 10/9/15. I still find I am foggy and vague at times. Quite frankly, I am just not the same as I was before chemo. If I get over tired or stressed, I feel very foggy. I have a stressful job at times and it worries me. I was wondering if any one knows how long this will last or if they have had a similiar experience. thanks

 

Comments

  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    #2
    I'm 5.5 years out and

    I can tell you, sometimes I don't feel as sharp as I was at 57--but I also attribute that to aging. I've read that some people still claim chemo brain after 20 years...

    I also work a demanding and stressful job. I try to play mah jongg and other games to keep sharp, but I just don't multi-task as well as I used to and my memory has really changed. Whether this is from chemo or age is a toss up, but hey, sometimes the things I forget are not what I would choose to remember anyway.

    You'll see people talking about a new normal and it is true, we are changed by the treatment and our experiences. It took me over a year to get my energy back after surgery, chemo and radiation but I'm still here to tell my story and that counts for a lot in my book.

    Things do improve little by little and treatment is not as present in my thoughts as it once was.

    Good luck to you.

    JoAnn

     

  • Gcook
    Gcook Member Posts: 25
    #3
    joannstar said:

    I'm 5.5 years out and

    I can tell you, sometimes I don't feel as sharp as I was at 57--but I also attribute that to aging. I've read that some people still claim chemo brain after 20 years...

    I also work a demanding and stressful job. I try to play mah jongg and other games to keep sharp, but I just don't multi-task as well as I used to and my memory has really changed. Whether this is from chemo or age is a toss up, but hey, sometimes the things I forget are not what I would choose to remember anyway.

    You'll see people talking about a new normal and it is true, we are changed by the treatment and our experiences. It took me over a year to get my energy back after surgery, chemo and radiation but I'm still here to tell my story and that counts for a lot in my book.

    Things do improve little by little and treatment is not as present in my thoughts as it once was.

    Good luck to you.

    JoAnn

     

    Hi Jo Ann   thanks for your

    Hi Jo Ann   thanks for your reply. I guess it is better to just put it all in prospective. I am just not used to this. I mean I really have to be aware there is a change in me and I need to watch it sometimes. My thought processes are not the same. I leave some people shaking their heads! BUt like you said I am still alive a year later. Ginny

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    #4
    People say it takes 6 months

    People say it takes 6 months to a year to recover from chemo. I have always enjoyed puzzles of various types, so I did them through chemo and still do. I think it helps.

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #5
    chemo brain

    I went to a presentation on chemo brain, it's caused by the chemo attacking the rapidly growing cells of the brain cell's insulation sheath, so it's like electricity getting short circuited as it tries to pass through. Those insulation sheath cells do heal, but it can take months. I finished my chemo in sep of 2014 and have to say I still have issues - have trouble recalling something's name at time, don't multitask as well.

  • Wrongway
    Wrongway Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Your not alone

    it will be 2 yrs, diagnoised, may 15, my first chemo June 8.  I am still numb in my hands, feet and tongue.  I have problems speaking, my granddaughter says I have my own language, and I am still forgetful.  My husband has to check the stove, oven even faucets to make sure I've turned them Off.   My onco just took me off Effexor, which another onco put me on before my first chemo treatment, and I have been on it since, until two weeks ago.  it has helped a little with my speech, but still gave numbness and brain fog.  I too had, yes had, a very stressful job which I was pretty much forced to resign from, due to missing so much from chemo.  There is no way I could handle that stress yet today.  I want myself back, I even struggle to walk at times.  I didn't sign up for thus,must atleast I'm alive enjoying my grandbabies.

    Dee

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited June 2016 #7
    " It took me over a year to get my energy back"

    My PC told me that would be about the time frame.  Sometimes I think people expect me to have it all together now that the treatments are done, but I'm not even close to being my old self and I really don't think I ever will be.  I have to double check my checkbook and make sure all my bills are paid on time - things like that I never did before. And there are times when I just don't have the energy for some things.  I'm only 2 and a half weeks out of radiation, so I don't expect to be back in tiptop shape, but I still think others do.  Luckily, I don't really care what they think or expect. I'm trying to be here when any future grandchildren come.  So I can enjoy them like Wrongway.

     

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