Long term chemo brain ?

worriedson714
worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
edited March 2021 in Colorectal Cancer #1

When my dad was on chemo the worse side effect was chemo brain like it was bad he didn't know even how to get home sometimes . Now he's a few years away from chemo and I am noticing that he still struggles to find the right word sometime . Also he forgets names and he struggles to remember sometimes and really has to think about it to remember . Has anyone experienced chemo affecting them a over a year after treatment ? Its worse when he is stressed alot so idk if it's stress but it seems to be happening more often which has me kind of worried so just trying to figure it out . I don't really want to bring it up to his oncologist cause my dad is very sensitive about it and I don't want to upset him for nothing so I don't know what to do looking for advice . 

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited March 2021 #2
    Seven years out and still have my days

    I don't think a year is anyhitng to worry about.  I was struggling for at least three years, and to this day - seven years - I will come up with the oddest things.  Age doesn't help. I'm in my 60's now, and thus, the old brain has to work a little harder. 

    Tru

     

  • darcher
    darcher Member Posts: 304 Member
    #3
    TELL THE ONCOLOGIST
    It may be a sign of something else brewing. The last thing you want to do is keep secrets from the doctor. Speaking from experience, I was the same and then some and at first it was misdiagnosed as a drug abuse problem, lol. It turned out to be a whopper of a brain tumor.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #4
    Yes

    I'm 12 years out and sometimes struggle, and it can be common with chemo.  It does get better after, but it still affects me to this day.  I've never tried those memory pills that they sell OTC because they are so very expensive, so I'm just accepting my age and previous chemo and living life.  I'm playing some games on the computer that help with brain function (hidden objects), word games, etc.  It can help stimulate his mind if he will go on the computer.

    Kim

  • worriedson714
    worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
    edited March 2021 #5
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Yes

    I'm 12 years out and sometimes struggle, and it can be common with chemo.  It does get better after, but it still affects me to this day.  I've never tried those memory pills that they sell OTC because they are so very expensive, so I'm just accepting my age and previous chemo and living life.  I'm playing some games on the computer that help with brain function (hidden objects), word games, etc.  It can help stimulate his mind if he will go on the computer.

    Kim

    got better

    My dad's got better after chemo but it's still there all most two years later idk just has me worried do you know the name of any of those memory pills ? Cause he doesn't really use the computer 

  • worriedson714
    worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
    edited March 2021 #6
    Trubrit said:

    Seven years out and still have my days

    I don't think a year is anyhitng to worry about.  I was struggling for at least three years, and to this day - seven years - I will come up with the oddest things.  Age doesn't help. I'm in my 60's now, and thus, the old brain has to work a little harder. 

    Tru

     

    well

    Actually it was two years I went back and looked at paperwork also where you on folfox ? 

  • worriedson714
    worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
    edited March 2021 #7
    darcher said:

    TELL THE ONCOLOGIST
    It may be a sign of something else brewing. The last thing you want to do is keep secrets from the doctor. Speaking from experience, I was the same and then some and at first it was misdiagnosed as a drug abuse problem, lol. It turned out to be a whopper of a brain tumor.

    freaks me out

    This is the fear that keeps me up at night problem is like I said my dad gets very stressed and upset when I mention the mental problems for some reason so not sure how to do that without stressing him out . Also what where your symptoms with the brain tumor ? Could you still cook and go for walks and stuff like that ? I know everyone is different sometimes my dad is great but sometimes he just gets rattled .

  • myAZmountain
    myAZmountain Member Posts: 417 Member
    #8
    over 2 years out

    And I can never remember how to spell Chief or Receipt LOL. Short term memory is not as good but long term seems ok? 

  • worriedson714
    worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
    edited March 2021 #9
    myAZmountain said:

    over 2 years out

    And I can never remember how to spell Chief or Receipt LOL. Short term memory is not as good but long term seems ok? 

    lol

    Yes long term doesn't have no problems just things like he goes the wrong way out the door of the doctors office even when a nurse told him a moment earlier which way to go to get out of the doctors office and can't remember appointments or where certain events are at all short term stuff . 

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #10
    worriedson714 said:

    got better

    My dad's got better after chemo but it's still there all most two years later idk just has me worried do you know the name of any of those memory pills ? Cause he doesn't really use the computer 

    Supplements

    Some that I've seen are Provagen, Ginkgo biloba, also they say that vitamin B12 can help.  But please ask his doctor before trying any of these, or similar, and I'm not sure if they really work or not and they are very expensive.  It's hard going through all this and then aging also.  Wishing him well.

    Kim

  • darcher
    darcher Member Posts: 304 Member
    edited March 2021 #11
    worriedson714 said:

    freaks me out

    This is the fear that keeps me up at night problem is like I said my dad gets very stressed and upset when I mention the mental problems for some reason so not sure how to do that without stressing him out . Also what where your symptoms with the brain tumor ? Could you still cook and go for walks and stuff like that ? I know everyone is different sometimes my dad is great but sometimes he just gets rattled .

    Symptoms?

       All the classic ones like dizziness, loss of balance, and things like that weren't present. The neurosurgeon said they're as unique as the person in what they impact. Mine attacked my motivation and will mostly with interpretation of pain as well.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited March 2021 #12
    myAZmountain said:

    over 2 years out

    And I can never remember how to spell Chief or Receipt LOL. Short term memory is not as good but long term seems ok? 

    Spelling

    You did a good job spelling those correctly LOL.  Their are some words that look so weird but know are right.  Too bad this board doesn't have spell check, because that might be real helpful for us that can't spell anymore. :(

    Kim

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