Effect of Chemotherapy: Chemo Brain

[Cathy]

Hey Everyone,

I am really serious about this. I haven't read what is on the internet yet about this subject, but have you found that you really do have a lack of memory or have trouble with verbalizing, or expressing yourself?  I think some of my problems in this area could be from some of the medications I am on, but I also wonder if some of it really isn't from the chemotherapy.

Any thoughts on this subject? Feel free to raze me also if you think it's all in my "head".

Cathy

[Cari]

I hope its not in your head, because if it is I have caught it!!!  My memory is TERRIBLE!!!!  and my focus is even worse!  And my coordination is messed up---I blame it ALL on Chemo---because what else is there to blame it on?
Seriously though I do think it effects our way of thinking--that is my story and I am sticking with it!!!
Like the pic!! WOOHOOO Pretty Girl!!
HUGS
Cari

[Arlene]

Cathy, My memory is poor. I try to think back over the years with the kids and hubby and there is so much I forgot. That really bothers me. Imsure some could be from the chemo but one of my meds , the doctor told me this would happen along with consintration. I havent watched many movies for a long time now because after the first 10 minutes, I forget. Im that way with reading too. Thats one of the reasons I dont read much. Sometimes it's ok but others, its bad. I have been on this medication for a long time. It's an anxiety med and I think that has alot to do with my brain.
But, I still can brainstorm
Hugs, Arlene
Your picture is very nice. I love your smile

[Karen]

I've heard and read a lot about chemo-brain over the past couple years and I believe it's a very REAL side effect of chemo. . . but what's MY excuse???  I've lost my marbles since my diagnosis and I can't seem to remember anything, can't concentrate like I used to and I didn't even have chemo!!  So. . . I prefer to call it "CANCER-BRAIN" instead of  chemo-brain.     (Or maybe I'm just having sympathy pains for those of you who HAVE gone through chemo?)

Cathy-- I agree with Arlene-- very pretty picture.  It's nice to SEE you!

[Mary]

This ACS article claims that most people will see cognitive function return to normal after 1-2 years. I wonder if these "most people" are the ones who were not treated with the high-dose protocols for bone cancer?

Here's an interesting article about breast cancer patients having cognitive issues before they even have the chemotherapy. It might make sense that the stress of the event is causing some of these issues. Also, depression and anxiety are known to affect cognitive abilities.

This study seems to show that breast cancer patients who received the high-dose chemo drugs (like most bone cancer patients have) had more cognitive problems after two years, but still those problems appeared to be transient and improved with time.

This article about late effects of childhood treatment seems to claim that high-dose methotrexate can be a culprit in cognitive issues after treatment.

A final article I read stated that there just aren't enough studies out there to show which chemotherapies are causing cognitive deficits, how bad they really are, etc.

[Kim]

My biggest problems are inability to recall words, and getting the words from my brain to my mouth.  Memory is effected too, to a lesser extent.

They say our chemos don't pass the blood/brain barrier, but I think they must.  I didn't have these problems before chemo, and they got worse the more chemo I had.