Anyone have a problem with memory?

[ZenaJ]

Hi all, I'm having trouble finding the right words sometimes. I put it down to age but I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem since chemo? Zena x

[Hidden]

Yes - they call it chemo brain. Terrible while having treatment. Simple word, using wrong words, not remembering things you have known for years

[ZenaJ in reply to Hidden]

I've had this 5 years now. It's really getting on my nerves. Still things could be worse. xx

[Nancy222 in reply to ZenaJ]

I was just thinking about your post. Five years? If it's an issue for you, it's worthwhile going to your GP and discussing this. I know we're all tired of doctors appointments, but it could be something separate from your cancer. Just say'in.

XXOO

[ZenaJ in reply to Nancy222]

Let's hope you're wrong. I'll have a word next time I go. I may be making it sound worse than it actually is.

Years ago when off sick from work, I can't remember what was wrong with me now, but I called in to tell them I wasn't coming in that day and I couldn't remember my own name. Luckily, the person on the other end of the phone recognised my voice and told me who I was. That was a bit embarrassing.

All the best Nancy, Zena xx

[Nancy222 in reply to ZenaJ]

It's a tough call, isn't it? On the one hand, stress can impact on our memories. But if there's an unlying cause, you want to know what that is.

And I hope I'm wrong too. I just felt the need to mention it -- my father had dementia and while we can joke about here as we did, it is serious.

Take care.

XXOO

[ZenaJ in reply to Nancy222]

It certainly is Nancy. Thanks for your concern. xxx

[Yoshbosh]

All. The. Time. 😆

Goodness me! It’s a terrible affliction. I end up describing things because I can’t remember the word.

Also faces and names. I have to meet a new person 2/3 times before their name and/or face sticks in my mind. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve introduced myself to people who say, “I know. We’ve already met.” 😐

[ZenaJ in reply to Yoshbosh]

It's exactly like that with me. I even forgot I'd been to a David Bowie concert. I used to be able to remember peoples names and what films/tv shows they'd been in, now it's out with the ipad every five minutes. Sometimes going through the alphabet works. xx

[Nancy222]

I'm currently having chemo treatment and am experiencing this too. Most times I'm pretty sharp (hah) but other times I'm searching for words, and it's like my mind was vacuumed. I struggle to find the word.

[ZenaJ in reply to Nancy222]

I'm hoping mine is down to the chemo and nothing more sinister but it's been a long time now. I think the damage must be permanent. My husband has noticed a difference since chemo.

Good luck with the chemo. Zena xx

[Kryssy]

Oh yes. All the time. I write things down now as it seems to help. Trouble is, I seldom remember where I put the paper I've written on. Got bits of paper all over the place with phone numbers or bits of information on. When I come across them I'm buggered what they mean. Got a piece of paper beside me at the moment which has a phone number on it, a four digit number higher up a date underlined and a doodle. Oh, and a letter J in lower case. Any clues? xxxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Kryssy]

Let's hope it wasn't something good and you've missed it. You could always try ringing the phone number and see what happens. It's really a nuisance isn't it?

Just as a side. I tried to answer someone on here today. The lady who wanted to know what to take to hospital and it came up with a message that I wasn't allowed to. Any ideas? I haven't come across this before. I hope I didn't upset anyone.

Hope you're feeling okay Kryssy, All the best, Zena xx

[Kryssy in reply to ZenaJ]

Yeah. I'm sort of ok. No chemo for 2 weeks as my blood is not good enough. It's made me upset as we could have gone away to UK for the planned three weeks. Now I'm in a moody. Don't know about why you can't post. Maybe you hit the wrong button. Welcome to my world. Love K xxxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Kryssy]

If it's any consolations it's raining here all day so you're not missing much. You'll get here and when you do you'll be feeling much better. You rest and build up your strength. Sorry you're not feeling so good. A big hug. xxxx

[Solange in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena, I've just had the exact thing happen to me, saying I wasn't allowed to answer. Gave up in the end as it wouldn't accept my password, either, for many attempts and the lady had had quite a few answers from others, anyway. Can't remember who she was or what she'd posted about, which shows how bad my memory is!! Then, out of the blue, I could get back to things working again. Think it must be a fault on the site.

My memory is hopeless. As Kryssy does, I have to write so much down to remember. Then I'll see the note and wonder what it means, especially if it's abbreviated. I even have to write down cooking times in case the timer doesn't go off, or I can't remember whether the timer's telling me something ready to come out of the oven or whether it's to turn something round half way through. I think it's a mixture of Chemo brain and old age. Trouble is, my husband can be pretty forgetful as well. The times in the day we'll ask, "where did we put ................. ?" and have to search. We try to laugh it off but it can be infuriating. Try not to worry about it, you're in good company with so many of us, I'm afraid. Keep smiling! Love, Solange 😊

[ZenaJ in reply to Solange]

I went to London with my friend and we booked a show. It was only when it started I realised I'd seen it before. I didn't tell her though.

I can't remember the last episodes of something on TV that I was really enjoying or what happened in the book I'm reading. It comes back to me. I've even started a journey and think 'how do I get there?' but once I'm on my way it all turns out ok.

I've always been a list writer and note maker so there's nothing new there. I'm fine with things I do regularly. I feel as if I've just joined another club with all our forgetfulness. I wish I could forget I had cancer. lol.

Best wishes, Zena xx

[Petrolhead]

Luckily not had a problem so far!

Fay

[Nancy222 in reply to Petrolhead]

Maybe you just don't remember it. Hah. I'm on a roll here.

XXOO

[ZenaJ in reply to Nancy222]

I was going to say the same thing. xx

[Nancy222 in reply to ZenaJ]

[Seasun36-uk]

Yes Zena! (What was the question?) 😂

[Nancy222 in reply to Seasun36-uk]

Oh boy. We're sure on a roll here

[ZenaJ in reply to Seasun36-uk]

Can't remember xx

[Zena41]

Yes happened to me it’s in my head but I can’t put it in words as u can see in my today’s status I can’t work out what’s happening to me. X

[ZenaJ in reply to Zena41]

It's a bit scary isn't it. xx

[Lily-Anne]

I think everyone is fed up with me starting a sentence and staring blankly into space because I have no clue as to what I was going to say. Sometimes it’s so frustrating I want to cry

I would say chemo brain but it’s ages since I had chemo. Could be Avastin fog but not heard of that before. My conclusion is OC vagueness so welcome to my world

LA xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Lily-Anne]

We sound exactly the same Lily-Anne as you know my chemo was years ago as well but that is when it started. See, I remember that. xx

[lorraine71-Australia]

HI Zenaj, there defiantly is chemo brain,not only that it has effected and my hearing and I'm about to go for new glasses, I did ask my oncologist becoure my husband thinks it old age.

What my brain and hearing and sight have all go at the same time ,no it's not old age so when we were at the oncologist I asked her in front of my husband and her reply was chemo is a poison and arfter a while can damage,hearing sight and memory, so now I turn the TV up.

Take care my friend love your positive news keep it up.. Lorraine xx

[ZenaJ in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

It's almost a relief to know it's the chemo. I'm terrified of getting alzheimer's. I guess if I had it I wouldn't know anyway. It's a dreadful decease. My eyesight is going downhill also. I thought that was old age. I hate wearing glasses but couldn't get the contacts in. We all have something and I'm lucky I'm here at all.

What a bunch we are. Hugs, Zena xx

[27-359]

Absolutely,! I forget the names of people I have known for years, and the name of everyday objects. The right word isn't gone for ever, but pops into my brain a bit later. All my brain cells seem to be on a go-slow! I really believe that chemo-brain does exist.

Jenny

[ZenaJ in reply to 27-359]

The go slow describes it perfectly. It's so annoying. No healthcare professional has asked me about my memory so I wonder if they're taking notice of it. xx

[Perthgirl]

Ah it drives me insane!! Cannot remember what I did or said 5 minutes before. Always been pretty good with names, phone numbers etc, now forget what I am saying mid sentence 🙄🤔

[ZenaJ in reply to Perthgirl]

This seems to have affected most of us. I'm not glad everyone has it but I'm glad I'm not alone. I'm exactly the same. xx

[Howick01]

You are not alone.

My memory was definitely affected.

Take care💐

[ZenaJ in reply to Howick01]

Thanks for replying. You take care, xx

[Hidden]

My memory is shot to pieces! Most days I don't know whether it is Tuesday or September!! My sister in law who has been through Chemo, says it is known as "Chemo Fog" this too will pass! - Hopefully! Have a great day Lyn x

[ZenaJ in reply to Hidden]

I've waited nearly five years for it to pass and in my case it doesn't look as if it's going to. I never know what day of the week it is and rely on my clock for the day and my laptop for the date. I think this may have something to do with retirement as well though. Not needing to really know the date. All the best, Lyn. Zena xx

[Nicky100]

I have awful memory loss too Zena I used to have a great memory but now I struggle to remember anything.

It’s s known dude-effect of chemo ( poison) and little talked about to patients. I call it my ‘blank computer files’. When I look in the folder there is nothing there.

Love Nicky xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Nicky100]

I say a similar thing Nicky, I say my computer files are overloaded with information and having trouble accessing the data.

All the best, Zena xx

[Di16]

I have a problem remembering the word I want to say sometimes. I also sometimes know what word I want to use but say something completely different. Di

[ZenaJ in reply to Di16]

Ooh, I don't do that (unless I've forgotten I do). Thanks for replying Di.

Best wishes, Zena xx

[ShropshireJo]

After initial chemo in 2008/9, I noticed a distinct deterioration in my memory and as I was only 56 at the time, put it down to chemo. It did improve a bit but since more chemo in 2016 and again now, it’s really noticeable. It’s as though my brain is taking several seconds longer to process what I hear. Feel like a right idiot sometimes. It’s so frustrating. In my darker moments I think at list OC means I won’t be round long enough to develop dementia. Thank goodness for reminders on phone to take tablets and lists so many lists, I need a list of my lists. Just need to remember to take my shopping list to Sainsbury’s!!!! 🌺🌼🌸🌻🌹

[ZenaJ in reply to ShropshireJo]

My son bought me a book called the Book of Lists because I write so many lists. My spellings got worse too.

You're doing well and long may it be that way. All the best, Zena xx

[ShropshireJo in reply to ZenaJ]

Book of lists sounds good. Yes , I had eight years clear before the beast returned. Now on third line cisplatin/taxol. Third dose of three today so half way. xx

[ZenaJ in reply to ShropshireJo]

What were your symptoms for the recurrence Jo, and what stage?

Best wishes for the future, it's a (word I can't think of) returning like that. Zena xx

[ShropshireJo in reply to ZenaJ]

Seem to recall 2c on initial diagnosis. When it returned it was stage 3. There has been some discussion as to whether it is a mutation of the original cancer or a different one. Could well be the fact that diagnosis had improved substantially in the intervening years. I didn’t associate the symptoms with OC for almost 12 months. Initially it was very occasional physical sickness which lasted a few hours. This was unheard of for me as I hadn’t been sick since 1973 in the Bay Of Biscay! Even got through two pregnancies. Anyway, assumed it was something I’d eaten then several months later it happened again then a third time within a few weeks so saw my gp who referred me back to Gynae but it then took well over three months before diagnosis and treatment. After third occasion, started to feel bloated and lost appetite. Probably more detail than you needed! Jo xx

[ZenaJ in reply to ShropshireJo]

No, I was interested to know Jo. It's the waiting that's the worst part. You've been doing really well.

We went across the Bay of Biscay last November and it was very rough. I think it's know for it. People were queuing for the sea sick pills. Lucky for me I don't suffer from sea sickness but I have a fear of drowning. I can't swim either and my excuse is that if the boat/ship went down I couldn't swim that far anyway.

Thanks for your reply. Take care, Zena xx

[Maus123]

Yup, me. Bought ingredients for dinner yesterday morning. By the time hubby returned home from work, had completely forgotten about that and said I had not made any dinner plans.. and why don't we just order take away food? Did that. An hour afterwards hubby opened the fridge and asked whether those steaks were meant to be kept for a rainy day?? Doh...

[Nancy222 in reply to Maus123]

This made me laugh.

[ZenaJ in reply to Maus123]

Made me laugh too. xx

[Zena41]

Yes since chemo plus having baby x

[ZenaJ in reply to Zena41]

My insides have never been right since childbirth. When I had my post natal after my second they discovered pre cancer cells. If I hadn't had that examination I wonder what would have developed then. xx

[Zena41 in reply to ZenaJ]

Gosh was that the start of Oc ?

[ZenaJ in reply to Zena41]

I'll never know. They remove the cells as a precaution. xx

[eileen_alberti]

Hi Zena, Kryssy &others that I forgot t write down: I was just talking to my sister about my son lugging that big cooler [couldn't remember name, kept thinking Yahoo but saying to myself that's wrong] and she said igloo, & that's when I shouted yes. But at least this time it was a 5 letter word and they both ended in oo. In Fl. they call it chemo brain. I have my sister trained to help me out when I'm stuck. Along with that I have note loss, retirement syndrome, [can't remember the day of week] old age [74] and insides haven't been right since 1st child. Had to have repair surgery in 19 70, between 1 & 2 for prolapsed bowel, bladder and uterus hanging down on one side. Had second surgery for bowel & bladder in 88 and need it again but doc says not a good idea as too much scar tissue. Could never enjoy sex [delete if too much info]. So this was an excellent walk down memory lane and thank all of you for sharing so I don't feel like such a weirdo. Everybody have a good laugh because if we don't , we'll cry. I have one more radiation to go for the lesion on the liver. I'll be much happier after that. The radiation tired me out more than the chemo.

Blessings to all, Eileen

[ZenaJ in reply to eileen_alberti]

Hi Eileen, what us women go through. Something must have gone wrong with our design. It's all so annoying isn't it? I didn't realise how many of us were affected by this memory loss thing. At least it's only words and names.

Good luck with the radiation and best wishes, Zena xx