I have experienced a lot of your symptoms. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 37. Although the latest scans show there is no more cancer, I am still taking chemo treatments to try to locate any rogue cells that may be floating around that the scans have not been able to detect. MY own reasoning as to why I feel worse and it seems to be taking a longer time to recuperate between the treatments, is that there are less cells for the chemo to attack. The chemo is being pumped in and attacking my own healthy and perhaps some of those very few rogue cells as well. Whether that is so, I don't know. I can't seem to come up with anything else. I have two more treatments to try to get through and I really would like to stop and try alternative medicines I wasn't able to take because of the interactions that may have occurred while taking chemo. My treatments are the same as your in the sense of time line: once every three weeks. I have about a week and a half windo that I feel ok and well enough to drive. I know my limitations though and won't drive when I'm in that "chemo fog." Mind if I borrow that phrase you coined? Hope all goes well in your future.

I too am a breast cancer survivor and I truly understand about the fog that you have had. I had cancer in 1997. Before the chemo, I would remember everyone's birthday and would get the card in the mail to arrive on their special day. During the chemo fog, I would not remember the birthday until after it was over. Now things are better, I remeber and get them in the mail (either before or after the day but they get there) There were other things that happen also from the chemo. My body temp. changed I was warm all the time. The chemo put me into memopause. I had emotional ups and downs, developed a real bad skin problem about three years after the last treatment. Only to find out it was a side effect of the chemo. That too went away. However the fog lifted a great deal about seven years after my treatment. Then about five years from the last chemo I started to feel different, it was as if I felt it, one day it felt like a weight was lifted off of me. I know it is frustrating but it will get better. The fog will go away. You will get your memory back. But it is frustrating when you don't have a clue what is going on and what to expect. It does help when you have someone to talk to that has been through it.

It is nice to know that I am not alone experiencing the "chemo brain" problem. Unfortunatly I still have the problem and I am 8 years out from treatment. I did take tamoxifen for 5 years and have been on Femara for 2 years. I am on oxygen 24/7 to help with my breathing. It is scary to realize that you have driven somewhere and don't remember driving there. I am exhausted all the time and part of that is because I don't sleep but an hour or so during the night. I do try and stay awake during the day so that it will not make the problem worse. My doctors have run all the tests to see if there is something else causing all these symptoms and have found nothing so far. My oncologist told me that more people are surviving breast cancer so they do not have anything to compare past experiences with. We are the survivors who are setting the standard for the future side effects. I was told in April 2001 that I had stage IIIA breast cancer. I had 8 rounds of chemo and 33 radiation treatments. I was so excited when I finished my treatments and couldn't wait to get back to "normal". I have not worked a day since. Everything went down hill from there. Now I have a new "normal". Not exactly what I wanted but glad to be alive. I have a great team of doctors especially my oncologist and my pain management doctor. They take very good care of me. I developed rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathy in both feet from the chemo drug Taxol. I have severe bone pain in my back, but no cancer. I have a severe case of lymphadema in my left arm. I was in the hospital for a week with it back in April. It has been a hard time, but I thank God everyday that I wake up. I hope that research will be able to find what causes and cures for some of the things that are "lingering" on after treatments and most of all a cure for cancer,. I support Relay for LIfe and have been a team captain for 7 years. Hang in There. I try to look for the good and not the bad. I found my best friend from going to my treatments. We both feel that our friendship is the one good thing we both got from having cancer.

To the most recent "Anonymous" ["Helpful -- Gave more insight..."], from the one who gave out the email address:

I tell everyone facing a diagnosis of cancer to educate themselves, get as many opinions as needed, then trust yourself to make the right decision for you -- the one you can live with (figuratively and literally). I was fortunate to have access to a University Medical Center (in my case, WA in Seattle) where they conducted multidisciplinary consultations and all the info was evaluated and discussed by a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and pathologist who then presented their findings and recommendations to me.

While "chemo brain" had not really been identified yet and was not listed as a possible side effect, had I been told of it, smarty-pants that I've always been, I probably would have thought it wouldn't happen to me! Even so, I have no regrets. I was 39 at the time and one of the most compelling things I read was that I had a 30% chance of recurrence (= terminal)and I had a lot of years to get through yet. I elected to have more aggressive therapy; i.e., chemo (which is now considered a more accepted course & no longer "aggressive" -- I benefited from early findings of their clinical research & experience).

I always cringed a little when someone else with a similar diagnosis told me they didn't "have" to have chemo -- I wasn't sure that was a good thing. Still don't know, I guess. But here I am, 15 years later! And, hopefully, people have a little more info now to make an informed decision.

Best wishes to you and yours.

Yeah!!!! I am not crazy!!!! I have been out of treatment for 11 yes 11 years and still have problems with chemo brain. I just take each as it comes. Some good ones and some bad ones. But I am still here and have gotten to watch my children grow up and my five grandchildren being born.

Dearest fellow Surviors,

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer Febuary of 2007. It had metasticized to my right smal pectoral muscle and 15-17 lymph nodes on my right side where they found 4 tumors and one tumor in my left breast.

I had a raddical mastectomy on March 5th of 2007, I did 4 of the 6 recommended Chemo treatments and then ended up in the hospital with staff infection in my chest and pneumonia due to the chemotherapy and its effects on my immune system. I stopped the chemo and did about 30-31 radiation treatments.

I TOTALLY understand the chemo brain fog. I still

forget just like you all have described. I am better, and I am blessed., I am alive. I have a wonderful family, Doctors and friends, and all of you to share our good times as well as bad. here on the caring and sharing internet.

I am not sure if I will ever be able to finish a sentance without forgetting what I was saying, I don't know if I will ever completly feel "Normal" again, but I do know that God has brought me this far, as well as all of you. You will be in my prayers and here if you need someone to talk to. Thank all of you for sharing your personal stories with me, God Bless Each and Every One Of you,

Sincerest Thanks,

Katheryn

Helpful -- Gave more insight I had in mind to answer the one person who gave out her email address. On February 28th I woke up feeling not to great, I thought it might be a gallbladder attack. My husband and others new I did not look good for sometime. Have not been to a doctor for sometime. Had no real reason do so, fact I only had colds or a few bouts with the flu. My husband took me to the ER, and immediately they did all kinds of test. The test came back showing I was anemic, low blood and also showed I had two gall stones, but that wasn't the big concern. They admitted me to hospital where they started given me blood (2 pints that evening and 2 pints the following morning. I also had a CT Scan showing a tumor in my colon. The following day I had a colonoscopy that showed a full blown tumor. They were very concerned and operated on me the next day, where they took the tumor and a piece of the large colon out. Also they took out quite a few lypmh nodes, they only found one to show cancer. After that I was suppose to see an oncologist to see if I would need any treatments. I was also told by the surgeon, that had got it all and if my CA's where down to normal I shouldn't have to have any chemo or radiation. But the oncologist had other ideas. I went for a 2nd opinion and got much needed and better info I asked him about diet,nutrition, supplements and exercise. He was very informative, but also told me I should make up my own mind. So far I have been able to say I have had no chemo. I now see two doctors every (3) months. I am hoping I have made the right decisions. With prayers and help from my husband, family and friends and even strangers, I am sure this has helped me. I am now stronger more active and able to do things better then I have been able to do in the pass 2 years. Most of this started from extreme stress. I guess what I am saying is I have read extensively on these treatments and didn't like the sound of the side effects. I am hoping what I have chosen is the right way. So any one that has concerns about these treatments, please look for all the information which are good or bad and decide what is best for you. I have strong support from my family, I have a daughter, and twin grandaughters that are RN's. Also a husband that is very supported of my decisions God bless those that have been through this.

My oncologist (who I love and credit for saving my life) was taken aback when I said that chemo was a piece of cake compared to chemo brain -- but I guess you know what I mean. I have no regrets about the treatment I received; I believe it was the best to be had at the time -- but still... There are actually quite a few articles out there, but not a lot of new information. I tried a trial of Ritalin prescribed by my PCP, but no help. I fear there isn't a lot to be done. Also saw a psychiatrist recommended by Dr. Ganz (at UCLA) who is familiar with this -- figured I'd better comply with the whole depression angle, just in case. Not much help there either, nor was the sleep specialist able to provide much (I also suffer from insomnia, though I think -- again, like you -- that overstimulation contributes). While I appreciate that there is research being done, I think that the fact that there is no "before" baseline information really puts me/us at a disadvantage. I also believe that improvements in chemo drugs, making them more selective & targeted, with less collateral damage, will result in fewer being affected like this. We're just in an unfortunate time period in this respect. I'm going to do something that may be foolish, but what the heck... my email is ConardWaln@verizon.net. You're welcome to contact me if you want to share any info or just vent to a sympathetic comrade. I'm not doing a lot of active research right now -- had my fill of it over the last couple years and just need to live my life, such as it is, but when something pops up, I can't resist poking around again. I'm lucky as well to have a terrific husband who has been so supportive in all of this. So, for all the whining here, I'm actually pretty upbeat! In any event, take care and good luck!

Since I wrote this question my LTD company sent me to "their" doctor, a neuropsychologist, for a second opinion since they didn't understand a thing about chemo-brain. To say I was worried is an understatement because I was certain "their" doctor would say there was no reason to be unable to work at this point. But all I could do was be truthful about what I feel and what has been going on day to day with what I am able to do and what I am incapable of. Well talking to him lasted about 10 minutes. Then I went through a grueling 6 1/2 hours of numerous tests. And then all I could do was trymy hardest!!About the time things seemed easy and I thought I am acing this...which I really wanted to do...they would throw something else in that would blow my brain out of my head and into a spinon the desk! Not literally of course. I was actually hoping they would just tell me you're just fine, that I just needed to work harder. I know it doesn't make much sense, but it beats what I am going through. Bottom line on my testing was: every symptom I have complained to the many caregivers for months was found to be an actual problem. My symptoms have nothing to do with depression or lack of willingness/desire to get better. It was so on target with what I have felt it even showed that not only do I want to return to my occupation, but not being able to do so was affecting my sense of self worth. The surprising conclusion to me was my intellect was "intact". This chemo brain makes you feel like a total idiot! The last line said my ability to work was "severely impaired". While having the test results was upsetting/depressing the first couple of days - like I said I wanted someone to tell me I was just fine, it is now comforting to feel "validated". I have been told it is unknown when I will improve, but usually it is at least 2 years following chemo for the damaged brain cells to repair themselves. It is such a new field of study that no one knows the outcome for sure. I wake up everyday though thinking "this is the day it will be gone". I want to stay optimistic!!! They also can't tell me entirely why we get it. Although the thought and research is some of the medications cause more brain damage than others. Remember the chemo therapy meds don't distinguish non cancerous healthy cells from cancerous ones. Just thought I would update for anyone else that has this problem. Even though my brain is now done for the day and I think I used up all the spell check available on my computer ;) I have to keep my sense of humor and not allow the frustration to take over...although I am not 100% successful there either. And to others who may have this:please judge your ability to drive your vehicle very carefully. Most days my brain is so impaired I can not drive even in the neighborhood. But I would rather not drive than harm anyone. I would be driving under the influence: of chemotherapy side effects!

To ChemoBrain: Boy can I totally relate to your response. I too have gotten many "solutions" to this problem including puzzles and games. I do these in hopes that it will eventually help, but most days it just seems to cause more confusion and frustration. Yes I did get my LTD, to which I am very thankful. However, I am also fully aware that even a year ago it probably would not have been possible. I too found the study from University of Rochester in a desperate online search one day for what I was going through. The actual article that I was able to access was actually more specific than the synopsis on this site. As I read the article it was like they were describing me to a tee. I printed it out and have given it to every care giver I have seen since, including the neuropsych to was sent to by the LTD company. I am convinced this may have helped my case and will be eternally grateful for the researchers on this project and look forward to further advances. I would love to be involved in some type of clinical trial, but have not found any online. Again, fortunately I have a very well versed PCP that is treating my symptoms for the time being. But it is still the hardest battle of my life. Cancer is nothing compared to this. Sorry if this whole response doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but the past 3 days have not been "good brain days". I just wanted to express how you are not alone. And thank you for letting me know I am not alone as well. Thanks :)

WOW I too am thankfull to my oncology DR.and his team . I was diagnosed in 1999 with hodgkins stage 3 b . did the ABVD and MOPP and radiation . remission and relaps in one spot one year later . I was blasted again and sent off for a stem cell transplant , which in those days they blasted you all at one time till your immune system and everything was cooked , but what a sweet smell to hear I think we got it . I forced myself back to work (hospital) because last time I was working tward trying to build up my stamina. It was so much harder this time and I just kept working ,not wanting to let all the side effects get me .THE DOCS SAID SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE THIS REACTION AND IT CLEARS UP AND SOMETIMES , IT STAYS AND WE COPE . After reading the RNs story here I felt like a burden was lifted and I am not the only one that has this fog and not being able to cope with things that befor e were not even a problem . I have numbness in my feet Legs and fingers . Driving only 15 min and only in daylight . I wear an insulin pump 24/7 oxygen and a CPAP most of the time to help be breath better. . Sometimes I am confused and I sleep about 12 to 15 hours daily and acording to the sleep studies I get N O REM sleep resaulting in total exhaustion even after sleeping all that time . You know ??? I could go on and on But I just want to say I AM SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE TO BE ABLE TO SAY HEY BE OPEN TO SOME OF THESE TREATMENTS . i HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THINGS i WOULD HAVE MISSED , BUT TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE THIS,, iT IS REAL , AND THE MORE INFO WE GIVE TO THE DOCTORS THE MORE THEY CAN STUDY HOW TO FIX OR PREVENT IT BE STRONG ,,,,,, ENCOURAGE OTHERS ,,, ONE MORE THING !!! TRY TO FIND SOMETHING EVERYDAY TO JUST LAUGH OUT LOUD ABOUT , OH WHAT A FEELING

To JoeVig: Way to hang in there! I'm sure no one is harder on us than we are on ourselves -- wouldn't you say? But I got tired of beating myself up -- I know this is real. I'm very much into the scientific method, but lacking that kind of data, we, and they, would be foolish to discount our anecdotal evidence. I try to encourage my care providers to learn from me, about me. And to keep an open mind should they hear such tales from others. Yes, the list of woes could go on for quite a while, but it's not the sum total of me. Better to make peace with the situation. Take care all!

Wow. In re-reading these entries, I see that I didn't talk much about my symptoms other than saying that they were similar to yours. I think this says a lot about this "chemo fog" that is certainly real. I agree with you in keeping our sense of humors. I don't know what I would do without it or my husbands'. I am having my last treatment on August 12th and will meet with my Oncologist just before the treatment and will discuss this with her. I will see what her recommendations are. I cannot even fathom feeling like this for two years though. Ugh. Thank you for your informative question and response.

It sounds like we need a chemobrain message board or chat experience. I don't know about the rest of you, but for me everyone's story is encouraging to know I am not alone in this world. Even if I did have to finally find someone with a similar story in the Pacific Northwest! It is someone who understands me!! Thanks to everyone who has posted. I only hope for God's blessings to continue with you.

Just found this article on this website and notice it references Dr. Ganz at UCLA. Pretty good. http://www.caring.com/news/common-chemotherapy-drug-linked-to-memory-problems

Chemobrain 15 years wow ,beats my no treatment 7 years.cancer expirience you certainly have a brain get the facts then make your own best,for you,choice,is also what I do.

Just came across this. I hear you loud & clear! I was treated with the same drugs (+ Tamoxifen)... in 1994 at the age of 39 . Sorry to say that I still am experiencing all the things you very aptly described. I was about 5 years past treatment before I even heard the term "chemo brain"; up until then, it was apparent my experience was not the norm. I continued to work, but it became so much more challenging, and was a steadily declining situation until 2 years ago when I just couldn't continue any longer. At first, I thought it must be getting worse & couldn't imagine why, but later decided it was just that all my coping mechanisms and compensatory behaviors were just no longer working for me -- I was exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. I went out on disability. I had been so reluctant to do this, as I have educated myself well on this subject (I'm an RN) and was convinced that it was unlikely to lead to any definitive answers (I was correct). I, too, had the full battery of neuropsychological testing. But unlike you, I tested pretty well (always have been able to do that!). Some, more knowledgable on the subject, told me that it could be that I was functioning at a very high level prior to chemo and, though I still fall within a high normal range, it could represent a relative decline that could be just as impairing. Others, less so, tend to want to attribute this to depression. I've suggested that any symptoms of depression I exhibit are the RESULT of these terrible troubles and the realization that I could no longer work like this, not the cause. I also attribute some of this to estrogen deficiency, as the chemo resulted in immediate menopause with all the usual -- but severe -- related symptoms. Sounds like you may have obtained your LTD? I was not so lucky... mostly undermined by the neurologist & neuropsychologist I saw who admitted little knowledge of this phenomenon. Lawyers, expert in ERISA cases, advised me that I have a good case, but decline to take it as I had filed & lost my first level of appeal myself (my work has been in the insurance industry the last several years, so I was well qualified to do so). I am now self-employed as an "Executive Charwoman" -- I clean houses. And I struggle even with that, as far as time-management goes; as you said -- no concept of time anymore. And the business side of it gives me fits. I live in the Pacific Northwest and, getting nowhere here, flew down to UCLA Med Ctr and saw the director of the Survivorship program there, a Dr. Patricia Ganz whose name I had encountered in my research. It was... helpful, but it was clear again that even the experts have more questions than answers. Like you, I was just looking for validation. The fact that I managed to work seems to convince some that I couldn't be as impaired as I claim, but they don't realize what a time I was having. Frankly, had my employers been a little more on top of things (we're talking the health insurance industry here), I doubt I would have lasted as long as I did. Certainly, everything I read suggests that for those who suffer these effects, most do in fact recover in a couple years. However, there is a small group (including me) for whom it is persistent. And, no disrespect to Bonnie, the expert answerer here, but if one more person tells me to work some crossword puzzles, I could do them serious bodily harm! Her words are kind and well-intended, but amount to platitudes, in my opinion. Well, you opened my particular "Pandora's Box" here. Hope this isn't too discouraging... maybe you'll be one of the luckier ones and it will get better soon. My best wishes to you.

To edterijo...I hope and pray for the best outcome for you and your family. And many thanks for making me not feel so alone. Sometimes I just feel no one understands the true magnitude of this problem. It's inspiring to know there are others who do. Now let's shout loud enough to get more studies done on this side effect and how to treat it.!!! And I to am lucky that my husband and I have drawn even closer too - we've been married 37 yrs though. Hang in there!

In response to RC1963(and others): My opinion is that cancer research for so many years has been driven on surviving the cancer. I think it is only now as we are making some good progress on the survival rate with a lot of types of cancer, us survivors are realizing there are lingering side effects to the treatments, especially chemo. I think research still needs to be continued on curing this disease, but I also feel it is now time to branch out in a BIG way on the short and long term side effects of the treatments. I have had my life TOTALLY change by the chemo I received. I am not blaming anyone at all. I know this is a disease that must be fought aggressively. And I know I took the right steps in fighting my cancer. And had they told me I had the chance of getting all the side effects I did, it wouldn't have changed my decision. Because to tell someone, or list it in a informed consent form in no way prepares you for what this chemo brain process is truly like. But for so long I felt like a failure, like I wasn't trying hard enough, I was just being a baby, it was a character flaw and on and on. It took a long time for me to realize these changes are real. Part of the reason it took so long is the MD trying to downplay complaints i.e. it's depression, your body has been through terrible shock and trauma, it's stress, it's not a side effect of the chemo, try doing more mind games like puzzles and word games, etc.etc.- sound familiar to anyone else out there ?!? And I am not trying to bad mouth any MD, but I would like to highly suggest listening to your patients complaints and take them seriously. Speaking for myself, I am very happy that your knowledge of treating cancer has given me extra time to see my family grow and enjoy life's simple pleasures we often overlook. But,maybe if more Md's listened to the complaints of after effects with an open mind we would be much further along in research and possible decrease of severity in this group of side effects. Now I say we all honor those who have gone before us and gotten us to this point of survival-which is huge-and use our voices to now look at the prevention or at least decrease the severity of the side effects, especially chemo brain as a true medical side effect. I so appreciate all those who fought the battle to live(and lost) so the research would allow me to survive. Now lets take one on for the next generation and push for more research in not only the survival aspect of dealing with this disease, but in the prevention or reduction in side effects that some Md's don't want to even acknowledge!!

Here's another one! I, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer in Feb. of 2007. I'm now a 1+ year survivor, and I had wonderful doctors through it all. My oncologist, however, is really fantastic; he is so on top of things, he knew about chemo brain and gave me information he'd downloaded right away. One article is from the New York Times in 2007 and I want to quote part of it: "Most researchers studying cognitive deficits say they believe that those most inclined to notice even subtle changes are high-achieving women juggling careers and families who are used to succeeding at both. They point to one study that found that complaints of cognitive deficits often did not match the results of neuro-psychological tests, suggesting that chemo brain is a subjective experience." Sound familiar?? I still have chemo brain almost 2 years after finishing chemo, but it does seem to sllloooooowwwlllllyy be improving. With regards to the lack of sleep, what helped me was, when I talked to my PCP about my trouble sleeping, we talked about where I was with my treatments, surgeries, meds, etc., and he told me that people who have finished treatments and surgeries tend to sort of feel left out of things; we all WANT to be done with that stuff, but when we are, we kind of feel lost. We had learned to live with lots of appointments, treatments, visits, etc., and once that was gone our lives seem to have lost an anchor. We have a "new" new normal, and although depression during cancer is common, it can be exacerbated by, as I sheepishly put it, "I don't feel special anymore; lots of people were helping me, concerned about me, showing me attention, and now I feel like I've been shut out. Is that selfish?". The answer was No! He put me (in addition to the Zoloft I was already on for depression) on 1/2 or 1 pill nightly of Trazodone, one of the early depression meds. Just like lots of other old meds, they're discovering new uses for Trazodone; it's helpful for relaxing and calming the brain to help sleep, is not habit-forming, and, unlike sleeping pills, continues to work over time. Sleeping pills, he said, work for about 2 weeks and then don't work any more. See what your doctor(s) say(s); maybe it'll help. God bless, y'all, and KEEP ON TRUCKIN'!

There are so many variables when it comes to cancer and chemotherapy. Variables also lie in oncologist's opinion on the method of treatment as well as the strength of the chemotherapy administered. In my case, diagnosis of breast cancer, followed by mastectomy and choices of treatment were all discussed thoroughly with me. I felt informed which alleviated a large portion of the fear that arrives with the diagnosis. Just a year prior to my diagnosis, I lost my husband to pancreatic cancer. Using my experience with his medical care really helped me make decisions. Chemo-brain is a real condition and I think the way a person approaches the recovery is important. In August 09 it was one year since my last treatment. My short term memory is still bad, I still have no feeling in my fingertips and my energy level is slowly increasing. The thing I found helpful was to realize that these conditions may or may not get better and life was still better than the alternative. My pcp prescribed Zoloft after my husband passed and I found my depression and grieving getting worse as time went on. To this day, I still take Zoloft and I feel like at least eliminating one condition helped get me through the others. For the person who asked, dwell on the fact that survival is a Victory for you and regardless of how long the conditions last, you are here for a purpose and need to enjoy life. If we can help in any way we can all bond together to share information. I find if I give in to being tired and just get all the rest I need without the guilt and questions, each day is better. Take care of yourself, you are important.

You must educate yourself as to the side effects of all the drugs you are administered. I was a Stage IV colon cancer, post-surgery, on chemo. After treatment 5 I couldn't feel my hands or feet, was losing my vision, had trouble breathing and was having blood pressure problems. I stopped chemotherapy. The drug Oxylaplatin I found out is made from platinum (thus the cost) and you can see the grey-silver color in your hands and feet. There is a website about Oxy, and plenty of people have problems with it. I was told just a week ago that it will take a year for the side-effects to resolve - I still have the "peripheral neuropathy", my feet are like bricks. My advice is you must know your own body. My body was screaming STOP. The result for me was unexpected; my CT scan and blood work are all clean now, no sign of cancer.

I also had a double mastectomy. I was treated for 6 months (every 3 weeks) with an aggressive cheno protocol of adriamyacin and cytoxin (3 mos.) and cytoxin, methotrextate and 5FU (3 mos). I was in bed for 5 days after each treatment and had really bad short term memory issues and concentration issues during chemo. I had to line up pills because I couldn’t remember from one second to another whether I had taken them. And I couldn’t get through a full column in a newspaper even though I have always been an avid reader. This was 18 yrs ago. The symptoms gradually improved after chemo. I didn’t get back to full time work for more than a year, partly because my employer had terminated me when I couldn’t work during chemo. For several months after chemo ended, I still had severe endurance issues and short term memory issues, although not as bad as when I was in chemo. It was a struggle. A few months after chemo ended, I started doing a few hours of volunteer work a week to test my body and mind. I had to push myself. A couple months after that, a friend offered me part time work for a few months which helped me and then after a few more months, a previous boss offered me a job which was initially contract part time work which led to full time permanent employment. I’m forever grateful to her because I don’t know whether I would ever have gotten back without that opportunity. When I say I got back, I still had endurance issues which took a long time to build, and I always wrote down everything for fear that I wouldn’t remember. And, when I first started to work full time, I occasionally had to take a day off just to stay in bed all day to recuperate. When I started tamoxifen, depression set in and eventually got worse.

Chemo brain is very real, and I had endurance issues for years after the chemo. I never got my full endurance back but I feel that I did get my full brain capacity back after a few years. Stress probably was the biggest factor affecting my concentration.
The primary reason I’m responding here is that your description of “cannot concentrate, get over stimulated easily, poor short term memory, difficulty finding words ….difficulty expressing ….no concept of time and cannot multi task –“ more accurately describes a condition which I had diagnosed 10 months ago which can be caused by chemo--cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle. Have you had an echocardiogram? PLEASE GET YOUR HEART CHECKED if you haven’t already. When I experienced chemo brain, I didn’t experience the intense anxiety nor the lack of concept of time that I have had with the heart problem. Because of the length of time it has been since my chemo and the fact that my heart was checked after chemo, this diagnosis is not being attributed to chemo in my case. I don't know what caused it. Last year I had been taking an antidepressant that is also used for pain when I started having the symptoms. It concerned me that they were even worse than when I was under chemo because of the anxiety and lack of time concept. I stopped taking the antidepressant because of its side effects. Short term memory issues followed by severe anxiety and lack of time concept continued. No amount of organization seemed to help and I had to write notes to remind me where my “to do” lists were. Eventually I felt a tickling in my heart area, just days before I ended up in the hospital.

Don't let the side effects of chemo stop you from looking at other causes for symptoms. It’s a problem because the side effects of chemo can mask other problems. The only other condition I eventually learned I had that creates bad short term memory and time concept issues, but not anxiety, is sleep apnea. I didn't have this diagnosed until just a few years ago, but I couldn't seem to even make coffee in the morning without either forgetting water or coffee grounds. And I would miss my exits while driving and I once left my car door swung open in a parking lot with my laptop in the car.
I feel that the impairment to my body from chemo prevented me from realizing when other medical issues were arising. Cancer was always first and foremost on my mind. Both sleep apnea and cardiomyopathy are very serious health issues, and I would hate to see anybody else make this same mistake. It’s important to fully explore all possibilities.

My qualifier: diagnosed with stage III breast cancer 2/2007 (43 y/o), treatment included 4 months (8 cycles) dose-dense AC-T. I went back to work part time about a month after finishing chemo, with a month remaining of radiation therapy. My MD's acknowledged chemo "brain" - short term memory was awful, could not read and retain basic info, and definitely found my ability to drive impaired (generally - any multi-tasking activity was a huge challenge). The best line that came from one of my MDs - "One day, a year after you are done with treatment, you will wake up and realize you feel better." That was absolutely true. There are lingering cognitive side effects though much less intense and frequent (short term memory problems, word finding difficulty). I continue to find that I can reach a point of intense exhaustion like I never experienced prior to chemo - when I hit that wall, I am done for the day. Driving at times still feels challenging unlike pre-chemo - my feeling is that anything requiring intense concentrations taps me out. Another, not so minor point, my sexual drive has felt annihilated post-chemo. I never hear others discuss nor read any articles about this. When I bring it up with the MDs they say it's common - but why does no one discuss this or think it's important?? No doubt the treatment and immediate effects are awful, but these other lingering side effects are the significant and impact quality of life.

chemo brain sounds simular to the effects my mother had from electro convulsive shock treatment I guess its another case of the end justfies the means. may be?

I am amazed at everyone's response. And as a chemo brain myself, it is so reassuring to know that I am not alone, even if there isn't much to be done about it. My Dr. even sent me for a head MRI and suggested that I see a psychologist when it came back normal. He did suggest mental exercises too. Every now and then it gets me down - the simplest things, words, meanings that are on the tip of your tongue. I now know exactly where my dictionary, thesaurus and recipe books are and I'll flip through every page just to find what I'm looking for. I feel as if I have a disability and it doesn't help when others are dismissive when they say it's all about getting older. I have realised that I must find a way to cope on my own - and my husband takes it a little more seriously now. Good luck everyone, everything is worth a try and in the meantime, my references are nearby as I learn my limitations.

I can totally relate to the person with "chemo-fog" I went to the doctor in mid 2000 for what I thought was either gallbladder or problems with my mitral valve prolapse. I had this pain right under my breastbone. The test results showed I was anemic. I knew I was tired and thought I just needed more exercise. I went for a routine colonoscopy (my grandmother died from colon cancer) and they found a cancerous polyp. I had surgery one week later and through the biopsy discovered it had spread to the lymph nodes. I had the usual surgery and it was suggested for me to have 24 treatments (weekly for 6 months) of chemo-therapy. I researched everything I could on the subject and of course friends brought over everything in the book about alternative treatments. When my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer we tried alternative methods and they did not work, so I had lost my faith in that procedure. I chose chemotherapy. I have a very supportive husband, but I chose to do this myself. I drove one hour every week for my chemo treatments by myself. Was there side effects. Yes! Sometimes I would have to pull off the road because of nosebleeds, or to just rest. I could not taste food. I had unreasonable bouts of anger (I still cringe when I think about things I said to people) I started experiencing pain in my hands. I had chronic diarreah. I was told that the chemo exits through your hand and feet and thus the problems. Brain-fog, yes, but if you are killing off cells good and bad isn't it reasonable you are also killing brain cells. But we only use a very small portion of our brain anyway, so I figured I would use some of the brain I wasn't using. After chemo, my anxiety and anger continued so my medical doctor prescribed Zoloft and that helped tremendously. The pain in my hands in feet steadily has gotten worse over the last nine years. I was a paralegal but can no longer use my hands efficiently enough to work and I can barely walk on one foot. I also, some days, think I have early signs of Alzheimer because I forget simple things. I used to be so smart, but I am alive and enjoy each day as it is and I am thankful that there is a choice for us to make whether it be chemo or other alternative treatments. There is help. I pray and thank God daily I had a choice.

I am male. 56 years old and currently surving stage 3+ melanoma. Had 30 days of infusion five days a week followed by three days a week injection of chemo for 12 months. I know exactly what chemo brain is talking about. Doctors had no alternatives to correct "chemo brain" or this initial "fog". I tried Ritalin, but realized I was taking drugs to counteract drugs. I cut back to just the chemo, lexapro and anti-nausea. After three months I only took the anti-nausea drug the day I was injecting. I've been off chemo six months. Still have trouble focusing. I was hyper as a child, and thought the fog was part of that come back to haunt me. I suffer from CRS (can't remember squat) I use technology to replace my memory. Everything goes on my PDA or on my notebook I carry around. There is no old normal. Only the new normal. There was a "lifting" of the fog in a sense, but I am still adjusting. I can't tell "Chemo Brain" when it will end. All I can say is we have to adapt. Good Luck!

My case : diagnosed with Melanoma stage 3 (2 lymph nodes affected !!) (Sep 2008) took chemo for 8 months - but did intense yoga all along - feeling fantastic now with absolutely no side effects at all ! Live in central New Jersey - will be happy to assist you if you want to start doing simple yogic exercises and proceed to more intense ones - I do yoga for 2 hours a day (1 in the morning and 1 in the evening) - yes it takes 2 hours but you will become healthy again and stay disease free for ever.

11-9-2009

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago last October. I had seven-lymph node involvement & a radical mastectomy. I had surgery first, chemo for seven months, & radiation therapy for two months. I had no tamoxifen ever nor any other medications. I had brain fog, yes, but over the years, it has decreased & I can still work as I have to work & I can do accounting & budgeting work just fine. God is good!

Best to you as well.

God bless and may you and your husband find your much needed peace.

I am a 10-year breast cancer survivor. I started chemo in November 1999 and had four rounds which ended in January 2000. That chemo was not as hard on me as the chemo I had in September and October 2005 for thymus gland cancer. I had the chemo before surgery, but the tumor did not shrink. It was also a different set of chemotherpy drugs. I had 28 radiations after my December 2005 surgery. I, too, suffered from "chemo brain" this time. I went into respiratory failure during surgery and was on a ventilator for 5 days. My memory loss was obvious with this last episode. However, I have been able to remember a lot of things now that I had difficulty with earlier in the illness and treatment. I am not nearly as "forgetful" as I was. As time went on, it got better for me.

Here's one from a wife who's husband was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, 2 terrible surgeries to remove tumors and sections of colon. He has been through 2 different kinds of chemotherapy and still needs another round, but has to hold off until Medicare will approve of a 3rd CT/PET so the oncologist can see what the remaining 2 affected lymph nodes are doing. Now we have to wait until next year for that to happen. Well, this doesn't have much to do with Chemo Fog, but he does get it once in a while and I know I should not get frustrated but I do and feel really bad when I get on to him for saying stupid things or not remembering, etc. Sorry is a word that is getting old and I hope if any of your partners or spouses do this too, we haven't put ourselves in your shoes and we as care givers get really tired, scared and worry a lot plus neglect our own health. It's difficult for everyone. Bless all of you and may God help us find a cure for all cancers and diseases. Best of luck to you all.