Chemo brain: frustrating but real
The chemicals used in chemotherapy are powerful -- strong enough to kill cancer cells. That's a good thing, but they also seem to have a little-understood effect on the brain, causing cognitive problems such as memory lapses and loss of concentration.
While it's tempting to think that these problems are all in the patient's mind, they're all too real, experts say. In fact, a study at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that more than 80 percent of people who receive chemotherapy for cancer report annoying memory and concentration problems that often linger for months, even after treatment is finished.
"This is one of the things cancer patients get most frustrated about, because it makes them feel like they're not themselves," says Gloria Nelson, a senior oncology social worker at Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center in New York City. "They used to see themselves as competent and capable, and now they keep losing things or can't finish a book because they can't remember the page they just read."
I totally disagree with #11 to tell them they are not remembering things. They are very sensitive as to how people see them and feel very self-conscious already, no need to confirm their doubts. My sister had brain surgery 5 years ago and still has short term memory loss, but I will never intimidate her by telling her she is not remembering things as she used to. She is proud of still being alive and believes she is mentally able to fight the further spreading of this Stage 3 cancer called Astrocytomo. She is a Hero to go through with what she has had to endure. She stays positive as much as she can.
Lost much memory and concentration. Lots of problems before the treatments for the cancer so I was blaming those issues. Who knows..it's bad so maybe both.
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Sorry, but I must give one example of the UNhelpful tone of the article. You suggest that a caregiver PROOF EVERYTHING THE PERSON WRITES! And go through their belongings to organize them? HOLD ON. GIVE THE PERSON WITH CHEMO BRAIN THEIR BRAINS BACK. THE PERSON NEEDING HELP IS IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN BOUNDARIES AND PRIVACY! WE ARE NOT BRAIN DAMAGED. HELP US HELP OURSELVES. SPEAK/WRITE DIRECTLY TO US, AS IF WE WERE COMPETENT. WE ARE.
After writing a long comment here, I forgot my Caring password (chemo brain?). By requesting the password, my Comment was erased. Can you fix the site so one can sign in without losing a Comment in progress? I like this site but for the 2nd time in 3 months I am offended by the patronizing tone the article is written in. It is written NOT to the person with chemo brain -- they do not have brain DAMAGE or Alzheimers that renders them incapable--but to their caregiver. PLEASE KNOW that for many people (like me), they are their own caregiver. AND NOT ALL OF US ARE MALE. PLEASE--write every other paragraph with SHE/HE. The content is ok but the patronizing is offensive, particularly for a site which purports to be caring for those with cancer. I have chemobrain and am a perfectly capable adult. If Caring.com is only for caregivers of male persons, and the site does not offer dignity in addressing people with cancer, I cannot be part of it.
Great ideas. Finished chemo 9 months ago. My brain function has greatly improved. Still get a bit foggy at times. This list surely will help me make a full brain recovery.
It is important for me to do one thing at a time and it is also essential for me to write things down or I will forget them.
My first chemo was in 1993 and I still have some of the effects. Seems to affect short term memory the most.
It is good to know that Chemo Brain is finally recognized as a usually long term side effect.
Chemo Brain - my legacy of 2005 forward is very simple - I still have the symptoms but not as dramatic as then. I have found that having a 'daily pocket scheduler' AND a "daily scheduler' for on the table or desk that I am now reinforcing what my appointments, commitments, etc., are and they both should compliment each other as well as others who come to visit can read or see what I have to do. I also have a Stenographer pad that I note - with bullets - wht functions I have done or accomplished throughout the day. This also allows me to be more direct in my daily diary. My exercising program has increased dramatically as well. This now takes charge of my strenous activity in lieu of looking from a chair and thinking of simply moving something from Point A to Point B. Before this exercise I would only be able to accomplish my brain doing all the work with no physical interfacing. That bothered me and gave me quite anxious moments. I am quite thrilled with my interjections of adjustments having gone through Stage 4, Chemo and radiation. Love who I am as the 'New Me." If ahyone reasponds to this please make sure you place a notation in the subjet line - "Chemo Brain (date) " Thank you or I will delete it as a spam. I also am available for speaker programs as well as advcate (confidential). Best Regards - CMarie
I thought all of the article was very helpful..I know I have been doing chemo. and it is true..but it does take a while to get over it. Plus, if a person should have anything else wrong with them like fibromyalgia. This also will cause Brain fog like chemo. I have fibro. to deal with..this is very painful. So, these tips will help me so much.
It's a good article, a good website, but in terms of useful tips, no...If any of those tips really worked, I wouldn't have chemo brain. They aren't going to work..
To me it is helpful. I have been undergoing a targeted therapy with Tarceva and it has been tremendously effective with my NSC Adenocarcinoma in both lungs, however I am not able to remember squat. I know I should remain happy that the disease has remained stable but I feel very frustrated with the way things are. My being alive is still much better than being dead. Having a community to share info and frustrations helps me with my limitations. Thank you!
Not helpful at all...if we could pull out the old text books, do a crossword puzzle, play some brain teasers, remember where we put our lists, put up with family members repeating everything I said (which would irritate us no end!) and all your other suggestions, we wouldn't have chemo brain. Go through our stuff to organize?? Nobody wants to have their stuff poked through...
Yes, this is helpful. However, chemo brain effects can last longer than months. I still have chemo brain problems and it's been 2 years since my last treatment! It is improving, but it's so frustrating; I've always had a good vocabulary, and now I'm constantly grasping for words that are just out of my mental reach. I can ask my kids a question, and literally seconds later their answer is gone! This is all especially worrying for me as my mom has Alzheimer's, and it's always in the back of my mind; is this really still chemo brain, or AD? Has anyone done any long-term research on chemo brain? I know I can't be the only one still having problems!
This is great to perhaps share some stories and get suggestions and answers.........Life at this point is so Uncertain
I know I have chemo brain....I am 78yrs old........friends I volunteer with that are 90plus remember better than I do.........it is embarassing, but I try to laugh it off.......must laugh and enjoy LIVING when one is in remission........No more Chemo after 5 yrs with NHL don't know what to expect now-----any one know?
doesn't help I'm 42 and have an issue with not remembering things. My dad went in for cateract surgery I knew it on Monday procedure for Tuesday and I FORGOT!! I didn't remember till I happened to call him on Wednesday. I was so upset. Please offer more advise.
I have been having chemo regularly for the last 7 years and the information is a great help especially over weekends and holidays when a health problem arises -its helps one to understand what one is dealing with. My thanks to you all