Chemo Brain

kya911
kya911 Member Posts: 157
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
What does this term mean?

Comments

  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #2
    Its the cognitive changes
    Its the cognitive changes that occur as a result of chemotherapy. forgetful, foggy, cant remember sh@# I also have a decreased a bility to handle stimuli. To many people talkiing at once can be way overstimulation. For me it is worse when I am stressed or tired. I have to say it has gotten better. Looking back at my old posts sometimes, the typos are worse than they are now etc...LOL
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #3
    better late than never
    I have heard about this for years. My Sister experienced it during her struggle with bc (1997-2003), and many survivors on this board have talked about it. A year or 2 ago I read an article by some neurologists who studied patients with and without chemo. Guess what? They decided chemo brain is real (as if we didn't know). They used electronic imaging of the brain and they could actually show visual evidence that chemo had a negative effect on areas of the brain (slowed the neurological activity...more darker areas where the neurons were not firing as compared to the chemo-free brains). The study followed some patients for some length of time after chemo and some recovered faster than others. (Does that surprise us? NOT)

    My personal experience with it: my memory for daily tasks was worse. I got very dependent on writing down anything anyone asked me to do at work, and I made "to do" lists every day. I think I have gotten better over the 2 years since chemo, but I think I am still not up to the level I was at before.

    Like everything else related to cancer, it affects people in different ways. Maybe you won't even notice it. seof
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    #4
    chemo brain
    Even though I haven't had chemo since january today I put a roasted chicken in the oven and didn't realize I cooked it upside down until it was done and I found the popper that tells you its done on the bottom and the legs on top. That my girlfriend is chemo brain!
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #5
    mom62 said:

    chemo brain
    Even though I haven't had chemo since january today I put a roasted chicken in the oven and didn't realize I cooked it upside down until it was done and I found the popper that tells you its done on the bottom and the legs on top. That my girlfriend is chemo brain!

    Terry
    please forgive me, but you made me laugh.
    My oncologist completely denied existence of Chemo brain. If you want to make medical oncologist angry ask the doc about Chemo Brain, even term will upset them.
    As for clinical studies about Chemo brain in 2008 I decline an offer to participate.
  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #6
    New Flower said:

    Terry
    please forgive me, but you made me laugh.
    My oncologist completely denied existence of Chemo brain. If you want to make medical oncologist angry ask the doc about Chemo Brain, even term will upset them.
    As for clinical studies about Chemo brain in 2008 I decline an offer to participate.

    There are now Studies
    that have been published that prove there is cognative changes in many people due to chemmotherapy! LOL. So...all of us "crazy" women can hold our chemo brains high and know that we may have brains that no longer work like they use to, but we're NOT crazy!!! LOL.

    Sally
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #7
    I too have to make lists for
    I too have to make lists for EVERYthing. It takes me twice as long to type out a post because of all the typos now (i'm a super fast typer, 65-70 wpm, and i think my fingers just cant keep up with what im thinking to type!). Alot of times I'll be unable to recall a certain word when talking to someone, and I'm extremely forgetful. It frustrates me sometimes because this is not me.
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    #8
    Heatherbelle said:

    I too have to make lists for
    I too have to make lists for EVERYthing. It takes me twice as long to type out a post because of all the typos now (i'm a super fast typer, 65-70 wpm, and i think my fingers just cant keep up with what im thinking to type!). Alot of times I'll be unable to recall a certain word when talking to someone, and I'm extremely forgetful. It frustrates me sometimes because this is not me.
    *hugs*
    Heather

    In the FINE PRINT
    One's eye sight can be affected as well. If forgetful already can be challange after treatments. I felt like I lived in the fog for years after. I found through my years of struggling with pain that most doctors down play side affects almost not wanting to admit they exist because they might have to do more than treat depression and anxiety that they believe we just all suffer from no need to dig deeper.
    Take it from someone who fought long and hard to regain the quality back in my life that one does not just have to settle into suffering either.
    Tara
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #9
    For me, the most bothersome
    For me, the most bothersome part of chemo brain is in my verbal ability. I'll be in the middle of sentence, and the word I want just won't get from my brain to my tongue. Or I can't pronounce a word correctly, sometimes the wrong word will come...and this was never a problem before chemo.

    I'm also more forgetful. One day I forgot to pack my daughter's lunch before school. All she said was "Jeez Mom, your chemo brain is getting really bad!" with every bit of disdain a 9 year old can muster.

    Linda
  • weazer
    weazer Member Posts: 440
    #10
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    For me, the most bothersome
    For me, the most bothersome part of chemo brain is in my verbal ability. I'll be in the middle of sentence, and the word I want just won't get from my brain to my tongue. Or I can't pronounce a word correctly, sometimes the wrong word will come...and this was never a problem before chemo.

    I'm also more forgetful. One day I forgot to pack my daughter's lunch before school. All she said was "Jeez Mom, your chemo brain is getting really bad!" with every bit of disdain a 9 year old can muster.

    Linda

    Same hear!
    I also got very good at using my hands to finish my sentences LOL
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #11
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    For me, the most bothersome
    For me, the most bothersome part of chemo brain is in my verbal ability. I'll be in the middle of sentence, and the word I want just won't get from my brain to my tongue. Or I can't pronounce a word correctly, sometimes the wrong word will come...and this was never a problem before chemo.

    I'm also more forgetful. One day I forgot to pack my daughter's lunch before school. All she said was "Jeez Mom, your chemo brain is getting really bad!" with every bit of disdain a 9 year old can muster.

    Linda

    chemo brain
    Chemo brain scared me to death. I finished chemo when I was 65 and swore I had alzheimers... until I started reading about other people's experiences on this discussion board. I guess the first "signs" were struggling to find the right words I wanted to use. I'd either call something the wrong thing ... or just totally go blank on the word. I work full time and thank goodness I have a great boss ... because I'd ask him the same thing over and over ... and even when I'd write down notes ... when I'd look at them I wouldn't have a clue what I meant. The worst day was when I was doing something on the computer and for the life of me I couldn't find the question mark on the keyboard. I swear I looked for 10 minutes ... and then began to think maybe there never was a question mark on the keyboard. I had myself so worked up tears were coming down my cheeks and I had to go to the restroom to pull myself together. As soon as I got back to my desk I got on this website and begged for support because I was really falling apart. With 2 minutes I had several responses telling me it was "OK" and that I was "OK" ... etc. I can't tell you what a relief it was to be able to tell someone how "nuts" I was ... and have them totally understand. There are so many stories people tell ... like putting things in the freezer when it should have gone in the oven ... calling people by the wrong name ... forgetting why you went into a room ... getting lost on the way home from someplace ... etc. etc. It's all very frustrating at the time ... but we DO have to realize that for what our bodies are going through ... it really is "normal" ... and "Yes ... Santa Clause ... there IS chemo brain!" It's been a year since my chemo ended and I do think the brain is working a little better (or maybe I've just learned to live with it).

    Thank goodness for this discussion group!

    hugs.
    teena
  • webbwife50
    webbwife50 Member Posts: 394
    #12
    tgf said:

    chemo brain
    Chemo brain scared me to death. I finished chemo when I was 65 and swore I had alzheimers... until I started reading about other people's experiences on this discussion board. I guess the first "signs" were struggling to find the right words I wanted to use. I'd either call something the wrong thing ... or just totally go blank on the word. I work full time and thank goodness I have a great boss ... because I'd ask him the same thing over and over ... and even when I'd write down notes ... when I'd look at them I wouldn't have a clue what I meant. The worst day was when I was doing something on the computer and for the life of me I couldn't find the question mark on the keyboard. I swear I looked for 10 minutes ... and then began to think maybe there never was a question mark on the keyboard. I had myself so worked up tears were coming down my cheeks and I had to go to the restroom to pull myself together. As soon as I got back to my desk I got on this website and begged for support because I was really falling apart. With 2 minutes I had several responses telling me it was "OK" and that I was "OK" ... etc. I can't tell you what a relief it was to be able to tell someone how "nuts" I was ... and have them totally understand. There are so many stories people tell ... like putting things in the freezer when it should have gone in the oven ... calling people by the wrong name ... forgetting why you went into a room ... getting lost on the way home from someplace ... etc. etc. It's all very frustrating at the time ... but we DO have to realize that for what our bodies are going through ... it really is "normal" ... and "Yes ... Santa Clause ... there IS chemo brain!" It's been a year since my chemo ended and I do think the brain is working a little better (or maybe I've just learned to live with it).

    Thank goodness for this discussion group!

    hugs.
    teena

    Chemo brain?
    Huh? what? ouch! who?...lol
  • new2me
    new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
    #13
    seof said:

    better late than never
    I have heard about this for years. My Sister experienced it during her struggle with bc (1997-2003), and many survivors on this board have talked about it. A year or 2 ago I read an article by some neurologists who studied patients with and without chemo. Guess what? They decided chemo brain is real (as if we didn't know). They used electronic imaging of the brain and they could actually show visual evidence that chemo had a negative effect on areas of the brain (slowed the neurological activity...more darker areas where the neurons were not firing as compared to the chemo-free brains). The study followed some patients for some length of time after chemo and some recovered faster than others. (Does that surprise us? NOT)

    My personal experience with it: my memory for daily tasks was worse. I got very dependent on writing down anything anyone asked me to do at work, and I made "to do" lists every day. I think I have gotten better over the 2 years since chemo, but I think I am still not up to the level I was at before.

    Like everything else related to cancer, it affects people in different ways. Maybe you won't even notice it. seof

    I hear ya !! I lose words.
    I forget simple words... I'm right in the middle of a sentence and I forget a word. I get so embarrassed. I always have to look to my husband for the word. I feel like an idiot alot of times but I just can't help it.

    Kelly
  • kya911
    kya911 Member Posts: 157
    #14
    webbwife50 said:

    Chemo brain?
    Huh? what? ouch! who?...lol

    ROF You guys are to
    ROF You guys are to funny.
    Thanks I get it now.
    I liked the wrong side up chicken best.
  • Scotch Freckles
    Scotch Freckles Member Posts: 273 Member
    #15
    mom62 said:

    chemo brain
    Even though I haven't had chemo since january today I put a roasted chicken in the oven and didn't realize I cooked it upside down until it was done and I found the popper that tells you its done on the bottom and the legs on top. That my girlfriend is chemo brain!

    Mom62 Not Chemo Brain
    Just a learning curve. I haven't cooked a turkey upside right since I cooked half of a 22lbs. turkey on it's side. White meat was oh so moist along with dark meat. I just turn the bird up side right last half hour to brown top. And yes, it is stuffed. Try it.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #16
    kya911 said:

    ROF You guys are to
    ROF You guys are to funny.
    Thanks I get it now.
    I liked the wrong side up chicken best.

    my brain is definately
    my brain is definately improving. take courage.
  • mellk
    mellk Member Posts: 10
    #17
    chemo brain is scary for me
    Some of the problems I noticed are:

    - not being able to find the right word / cannot finish my thoughts
    -I see the names /mumbers on my caller ID when someone calls and I go into a complete panic becuse 1/2 the time I can not for the life of me remember who that person is. My husband called from a line at his office that he never uses and I could NOT make myself pick up the phone even seeing it said his company name
    -I am a puzzle game fanatic and when I go online to play puzzles even on the easiest levels I cannot get very far, and forget about my crossword books.
    -I cannot concentrate very long on anything I could finish a book in about two days, now I am lucky if I can get through one in two weeks. I cannot sit through a DVD without rewinding parts or I just give up on it.
    -if I dont write everything down I forget it. If my husband didn't go to all my appointments and treatments I would be a mess. If I dont write stuff soon enough I will just forget it.


    everyday at least one thing happens that makes me so frustrated I could scream. But more than the frustration is the fear that it wont ever go away. I work in purchasing so I do math, statistics, negotiating with vendors etc for my job. I have to think on my feet and deal with large sums of money. I am terrified I am going to get back to work and not be able to function the way I did before. I am already having problems doing the most basic projects that I am working on from home.
  • TP123
    TP123 Member Posts: 53
    #18
    carkris said:

    Its the cognitive changes
    Its the cognitive changes that occur as a result of chemotherapy. forgetful, foggy, cant remember sh@# I also have a decreased a bility to handle stimuli. To many people talkiing at once can be way overstimulation. For me it is worse when I am stressed or tired. I have to say it has gotten better. Looking back at my old posts sometimes, the typos are worse than they are now etc...LOL

    Wow!
    Thanks for a great explanation! I knew about the foggy brain and memory loss but not the other stuff. I experienced the over stimulation stuff and just thot I was being crabby! It helps to know it was just me!!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!
  • TP123
    TP123 Member Posts: 53
    #19
    mellk said:

    chemo brain is scary for me
    Some of the problems I noticed are:

    - not being able to find the right word / cannot finish my thoughts
    -I see the names /mumbers on my caller ID when someone calls and I go into a complete panic becuse 1/2 the time I can not for the life of me remember who that person is. My husband called from a line at his office that he never uses and I could NOT make myself pick up the phone even seeing it said his company name
    -I am a puzzle game fanatic and when I go online to play puzzles even on the easiest levels I cannot get very far, and forget about my crossword books.
    -I cannot concentrate very long on anything I could finish a book in about two days, now I am lucky if I can get through one in two weeks. I cannot sit through a DVD without rewinding parts or I just give up on it.
    -if I dont write everything down I forget it. If my husband didn't go to all my appointments and treatments I would be a mess. If I dont write stuff soon enough I will just forget it.


    everyday at least one thing happens that makes me so frustrated I could scream. But more than the frustration is the fear that it wont ever go away. I work in purchasing so I do math, statistics, negotiating with vendors etc for my job. I have to think on my feet and deal with large sums of money. I am terrified I am going to get back to work and not be able to function the way I did before. I am already having problems doing the most basic projects that I am working on from home.

    God Bless You
    I too get frustrated and see many more who do. I cried when I read your post. I will pray for you and all my sisters. We can do this even if the beast takes a big bite out of us, we can still do this.
  • TP123
    TP123 Member Posts: 53
    #20
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    For me, the most bothersome
    For me, the most bothersome part of chemo brain is in my verbal ability. I'll be in the middle of sentence, and the word I want just won't get from my brain to my tongue. Or I can't pronounce a word correctly, sometimes the wrong word will come...and this was never a problem before chemo.

    I'm also more forgetful. One day I forgot to pack my daughter's lunch before school. All she said was "Jeez Mom, your chemo brain is getting really bad!" with every bit of disdain a 9 year old can muster.

    Linda

    Gabe and Abby Mom-
    I love your posts!! I relate so much.

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