Brain fog anyone?
True, I am blond, but I didn't have this issue before the radiation! My family notices it and figures it is like taste...it will return in time. Maybe so....but I am a self employed seamstress and I need to be able to talk to people! Has anyone else had this problem?
Thank you and hugs to all
Comments
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It's because you're a blond
Hi Rose
Look no further, you hit the nail on the head, it's the hair color. Honestly there isn't a lot of documentation on it but most of us call it "chemo brain". It does get better. Your still relatively new out of treatment so give it some time and welcome.0 -
I would buy the chemoratface said:It's because you're a blond
Hi Rose
Look no further, you hit the nail on the head, it's the hair color. Honestly there isn't a lot of documentation on it but most of us call it "chemo brain". It does get better. Your still relatively new out of treatment so give it some time and welcome.
I would buy the chemo brain theory....but I didn't have any chemo! See, I am back to the blond thing! tee!hee! Any other thoughts?0 -
Get Ready for a Stampede
Harper Rose,
I'd say that most folks have this problem during treatment. I'm expecting an onslaught of replies to this post - not because the "chemo brain" or "CRS" syndrome is so terrible and permanent, but because when you have it, it's just so irritating (and makes you a little nervous). For a tiny percentage of folks, "chemo brain" doesn't fade - well, it's my understanding it's a tiny percentage. I sometimes got nervous when I couldn't "find" a common word, or when I'd realize I'd I was looking in the cupboard instead of the fridge to get something from the fridge. not like I'd look for yogurt in the cabinet for 10 minutes or anything, just that I'd opened it up and glanced around before realizing I was in the wrong place. Hope you can grin and bear it - if it really bothers you, there are "exercises" you can do. You can also do things like play video games (really) and crossword and/or soduko puzzles. Oh - if you are "losing" lots of words - make sure you pay attention to what you're doing when you drive. I found a couple times I'd gone a wrong way, or couldn't recall a route that I should have known. I'm driving just fine now (don't get lost any more than I did before - thank GOODNESS for GPS), and "lose" about as many words as I used to, I think.
I know it's frustrating - one more brick.0 -
OK, so call it "Radiation Brain"harper rose said:I would buy the chemo
I would buy the chemo brain theory....but I didn't have any chemo! See, I am back to the blond thing! tee!hee! Any other thoughts?
I had both chemo and radiation, and I am still discovering all the ways that I have been changed by the treatment regime. Brain fog is definitely something I had, and still experience on occasion, some seven months out from treatment end. Does seem to be improving a little bit, but I still have some seriously dim moments. Radiation probably had a role in it.
I'm betting a lot of the folks who refer to it as "chemo brain" didn't have the concurrent radiation. Both rads and chemo have terrible effects.
Deb0 -
the gift that keeps on giving!Pam M said:Get Ready for a Stampede
Harper Rose,
I'd say that most folks have this problem during treatment. I'm expecting an onslaught of replies to this post - not because the "chemo brain" or "CRS" syndrome is so terrible and permanent, but because when you have it, it's just so irritating (and makes you a little nervous). For a tiny percentage of folks, "chemo brain" doesn't fade - well, it's my understanding it's a tiny percentage. I sometimes got nervous when I couldn't "find" a common word, or when I'd realize I'd I was looking in the cupboard instead of the fridge to get something from the fridge. not like I'd look for yogurt in the cabinet for 10 minutes or anything, just that I'd opened it up and glanced around before realizing I was in the wrong place. Hope you can grin and bear it - if it really bothers you, there are "exercises" you can do. You can also do things like play video games (really) and crossword and/or soduko puzzles. Oh - if you are "losing" lots of words - make sure you pay attention to what you're doing when you drive. I found a couple times I'd gone a wrong way, or couldn't recall a route that I should have known. I'm driving just fine now (don't get lost any more than I did before - thank GOODNESS for GPS), and "lose" about as many words as I used to, I think.
I know it's frustrating - one more brick.
I sew fabric and leather for a living....now I know why I put a bolt of fabric on the leather cutting table! Sheesh! I will pay more attention driving... I take my wares to events to sell, like Las Vegas and Cheyenne....lots of traffic, needless to say. Thanks for the heads up.0 -
Radiation brainharper rose said:the gift that keeps on giving!
I sew fabric and leather for a living....now I know why I put a bolt of fabric on the leather cutting table! Sheesh! I will pay more attention driving... I take my wares to events to sell, like Las Vegas and Cheyenne....lots of traffic, needless to say. Thanks for the heads up.
I know it's pretty accepted that there is a chemo brain and I swear there is a radiation brain. I only had rads too. I am 20 months out and it has gotten better. But I was pretty bad there for a while. I had lists everywhere. I would forget words while speaking as well. Not as much now as last year thank goodness.0 -
Deb is right, it dosen't matter what fromharper rose said:the gift that keeps on giving!
I sew fabric and leather for a living....now I know why I put a bolt of fabric on the leather cutting table! Sheesh! I will pay more attention driving... I take my wares to events to sell, like Las Vegas and Cheyenne....lots of traffic, needless to say. Thanks for the heads up.
Radiation probably has more to do with it. I think "chemo brain" just sounds cooler. The end result is the same, we seem to sufffer some flashing memory loss. It's very common in the general population regardless of cancer. I think treatment just brings it on somehow. It's so common that Dr. Oz addressed on a recent episode. He pretty much said that if it dosen't change your life in a meaningful way don't worry about it. So I just write everything down. The wife still gets frustrated with me on occasion when I forget something simple, but She just can't understand that unless she had undergone treatment. To illustrate how frustrating it can be I once forgot where my daughter's scholl was and have been going there for almost eight years. Luckily I anticipated more traffic and eventually found the school by elimination. It has gotten better.0 -
Radiation Chemo Brainratface said:Deb is right, it dosen't matter what from
Radiation probably has more to do with it. I think "chemo brain" just sounds cooler. The end result is the same, we seem to sufffer some flashing memory loss. It's very common in the general population regardless of cancer. I think treatment just brings it on somehow. It's so common that Dr. Oz addressed on a recent episode. He pretty much said that if it dosen't change your life in a meaningful way don't worry about it. So I just write everything down. The wife still gets frustrated with me on occasion when I forget something simple, but She just can't understand that unless she had undergone treatment. To illustrate how frustrating it can be I once forgot where my daughter's scholl was and have been going there for almost eight years. Luckily I anticipated more traffic and eventually found the school by elimination. It has gotten better.
Call it what you want, I had it too if fact at times I still have it, just can’t remember anything. It is a good thing I write my name down on paper everyday so I can remember who I am the next day.
Hondo0 -
Been there, done thatHondo said:Radiation Chemo Brain
Call it what you want, I had it too if fact at times I still have it, just can’t remember anything. It is a good thing I write my name down on paper everyday so I can remember who I am the next day.
Hondo
... and I got the ... er ... I forget.
BTW, I'm not a blond.
--Jim in Delaware0 -
Some of my "chemo brain" I
Some of my "chemo brain" I also related to the medications I was on, 3 anti nausea, one of which was actually an anti psychotic that just happened to work for nausea in cancer patients, Liquid Percocet 75mg of which I couldnt drink fast enough to help sleep through the misery, the 50lb weight loss in a month and a half, the severe lack of sleep, the fatigue of throwing up constantly, there are many things that attributed to my chemo brain, including the chemo and rads. Chemo also gave me Tinitus, which they dont really tell you about, constant ringing in the ears, both, all the time, after day 2 of my first Chemo treatment. The rads did more things like, mouth sores and dental damage, yeast infections in my mouth, at least 3 different times, that was no fun, and stay on top of that, because that is where A LOT of my mouth pain came from, that and the giant sores that ran down both sides of my tongue. But chemo brain i do believe is real, how much is just the chemo, couldnt really say......0 -
Just forget it
Hi HR, like Pam said, it will improve. For awhile I couldn't remember my address at odd times. Like at the prescription counter, or on the phone verifying my identity. They would ask my address and I would hesitate, or tell them to wait if the phone,and grab a recent bill or letter to see where it was addressed to. Or the classic, "Why did I come into this room?" It's all better now. We can all look forward to senior moments as we age. My mom went to a senior's memory enhancement class years ago. The guy running it gave them some tips, and finished up by telling them" If you can't remember, just forget it". I always liked that. I'm sure you're not there yet, and your lapses will themselves fade away.
Hal0 -
I feel better now...Hondo said:Hi Rose
Forgive me of my forgetfulness I also more forgot to Welcome you to our family here on CSN.
All the best to you
Hondo
Thank you, one and all. I feel relieved that this isn't a case of 'early onset CRS'! I am only 47, after all....Whew! There is quite enough to worry about without adding that to the plate. For me it must be the radiation....the only pain killers I used were the triple mix ( swish and swallow) and a vicoedin....so the rads have to be the culprit. I have always been a list maker, but now I will have to keep better track on where I put the darn things! lol!
Thank you and hugs! If I can be of help to anyone, let me know. HR0 -
foggy brain!harper rose said:I feel better now...
Thank you, one and all. I feel relieved that this isn't a case of 'early onset CRS'! I am only 47, after all....Whew! There is quite enough to worry about without adding that to the plate. For me it must be the radiation....the only pain killers I used were the triple mix ( swish and swallow) and a vicoedin....so the rads have to be the culprit. I have always been a list maker, but now I will have to keep better track on where I put the darn things! lol!
Thank you and hugs! If I can be of help to anyone, let me know. HR
I too have some foggy brain activity sometimes. I have had to turn on my spell checker on my computer...I didn't before. my rad onc had warned me ahead of time that this might occur due to scatter. she said it returns in most people, but that some people have permanent damage...as mine is worse lately, I will be calling soon to let her know...just in case there is anything she needs me to do. I went out today planning to buy milk and a box for my baby boy memorabilia...I ended up buying coloring books for my older son's Valentines Party...a month away, and then I called my mom to talk about her day waiting until she asked me if I had found the box before I remembered that I had made a list of things I had gone out to buy! I have been going through some boxes of stuff that I had put off going through, inside one I found some pretty pink and white note cards...they were make your own birth announcements from when my daughter was born 3 years ago...I had bought them, forgot, and had some printed up online...so at least I know that my forgetfulness isn't completely new. however, when I leave the house or get out of the car these days I double check that I have all of my kids (5,3,11m)...then I check three times that they are strapped into their seats! I am only 31 so I hope this fades fast! (mucoepidermoid carcinoma diagnosed in june 2010, surgery in aug 2010, 30 rads began in oct 2010)
I have lists everywhere and if it is really important I call someone I know like my mom or my husband and tell them what I am doing, when where, and why...then I call when I get where I am going. it is annoying, but I have found that I remember better this way. just one more new normal...I am playing a lot of sudoku, word searches, strategy games, and to make sure I can still see well enough I play some chicken hunting games with my son!
wishing you much luck with your memory! and because I just have to....huge HUG! can you post pics of your work or post a web site where we can see it?0 -
web site infoekdennie said:foggy brain!
I too have some foggy brain activity sometimes. I have had to turn on my spell checker on my computer...I didn't before. my rad onc had warned me ahead of time that this might occur due to scatter. she said it returns in most people, but that some people have permanent damage...as mine is worse lately, I will be calling soon to let her know...just in case there is anything she needs me to do. I went out today planning to buy milk and a box for my baby boy memorabilia...I ended up buying coloring books for my older son's Valentines Party...a month away, and then I called my mom to talk about her day waiting until she asked me if I had found the box before I remembered that I had made a list of things I had gone out to buy! I have been going through some boxes of stuff that I had put off going through, inside one I found some pretty pink and white note cards...they were make your own birth announcements from when my daughter was born 3 years ago...I had bought them, forgot, and had some printed up online...so at least I know that my forgetfulness isn't completely new. however, when I leave the house or get out of the car these days I double check that I have all of my kids (5,3,11m)...then I check three times that they are strapped into their seats! I am only 31 so I hope this fades fast! (mucoepidermoid carcinoma diagnosed in june 2010, surgery in aug 2010, 30 rads began in oct 2010)
I have lists everywhere and if it is really important I call someone I know like my mom or my husband and tell them what I am doing, when where, and why...then I call when I get where I am going. it is annoying, but I have found that I remember better this way. just one more new normal...I am playing a lot of sudoku, word searches, strategy games, and to make sure I can still see well enough I play some chicken hunting games with my son!
wishing you much luck with your memory! and because I just have to....huge HUG! can you post pics of your work or post a web site where we can see it?
Thank you for all the insight! It is a great feeling to know that I am not alone in the fog!
two web sites www.shastaleatherworks.com and www.adressingthepast.com The blond is me. Sorry about the condition of the second site, the ex-sister in law was having a bit of fun....at my expence. hugs, HR 0 -
Blondeharper rose said:web site info
Thank you for all the insight! It is a great feeling to know that I am not alone in the fog! two web sites www.shastaleatherworks.com and www.adressingthepast.com The blond is me. Sorry about the condition of the second site, the ex-sister in law was having a bit of fun....at my expence. hugs, HR
UH, I don't think I am blonde but I can't remember. Oh now I remember I'm not. Chemo brain is real. But seems to get better with time. The more you work your brain, well in my case anyway, The better it seems to get.
Best, Steve0 -
Chemo Brain...
Is it real??? Many of us feel that it is. I finished treatment on August 12th 2010 and chemo brain began subsiding in mid-November. Wasn't quite as sever as what you described but it was a road block to concentration and sometimes expressing myself; didn't bode well for a guy like me in commercial real estate. Began crossword puzzles again and that seemed to help. I'm still a little ditzy, but not as bad. Then again, I'm not blonde.
Army_Guy0
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