Chemo brain?

[Debkelly]

I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I had chemo,surgery & then radiation. I’m now on letrozole. Yes with all the side effects, but now I’v noticed some much memory loss. The friends are also noticing it. I’m really getting worried. Any advice

[Abshobha2709]

Hi even I was detected stage 4 BC in Nov 2016 and had touched vertebra 4. Undergone 7 chemo and on letroz since chemo stopped in April.no surgery n no radiation. I also was taking fruit soursop and I m fine with out any memory loss problem. There can be some side effects of letozole. U can talk to your oncologist n take advise.

[BklynCatwoman]

Yes, chemo brain is alive and well. And real, unfortunately. When I was in treatment, I could tell when they actually started the chemo drip (as opposed to the benedryl drip) because it's almost as if my thoughts would float away, like smoke. A friend told me not to make any big financial decisions while on chemo. At certain points in my treatment (like right after one), I didn't even feel comfortable driving: if I came to a four-way stop, I was afraid I wouldn't remember whose turn it was to go first.

That being said, chemo brain does improve with time. I found my memory improved but in some ways, I don't think I'm as sharp as I was. Is it residual effects of the chemo or being 58? I'm not sure. I would think the memory loss might be a side effect of the chemo more than of the letrozole. But definitely talk to your doctor's office about it.

[Hidden]

I experienced same during chemo. Chemo brain went away a few months post chemo. Be patient, give it some time. Maybe change meds?

[IGotSunshine]

Some of the drugs used to treat breast and ovarian cancer have been shown to cause changes in the brain, but even cancer survivors who don't get chemotherapy seem to suffer from so-called chemo brain. Here are a few workarounds that have helped me:

1. Get a notebook and keep it in your handbag to jot down notes, to-dos, directions, etc.

2. Remind yourself to listen. Sometimes I failed to remember things because I never fully heard them in the first place.

3. Take advantage of technology. Use the alarm on your phone to remind you to take your medication and the calendar to keep track of meetings and appointments (and birthdays!), and the notepad for No. 1 above.

4. If you're someone who's used to scheduling her life as tightly as a jigsaw puzzle, you may want to allow some gaps. Having cancer is like having a second job, and you need to give yourself some time to deal with the paperwork--and just unwind.

5. Don't even try to multitask. Research suggests that in most cases, people don't actually focus on multiple tasks simultaneously. Rather, the brain switches rapidly from task to task and back again, and with every switch it must refocus. All this starting and stopping results in slower completion of each task, poorer work quality, and outright blunders—even in people with the nimblest wits. Instead, devote your full attention to one task until you complete it.

6. Get used to explaining and apologizing. People can forgive a lot when they understand that what's making you forgetful is not carelessness but a side effect of your illness and treatment. Most important: Forgive yourself. No need to carry around a burden of guilt on top of chemo brain.