I've been experiencing some issues having to do with cognition. They include loss of some memory, feeling disconnected, lack of concentration and some spacial distortions associated with vision. I attribute these symptoms to Chemotherapy I under-went about three years ago. My Oncologist insists the Chemo agents do not cross the blood brain barrier, but I tend to disagree. Is anyone else experiencing similar symptoms? Can anyone share help with some insight?

Thanks

Depends on what chemo you had. I can think of one that affects the cerebellum inparticular.

I had a tonsil cancer in Feb 2004. I had six chemo sessions on top of 43 radiation sessions. I was diagnosed with chemo brain about six months after I tried to return to work. My onc said it is a newly noticed side effect. To me, it turns everyone into a dumb blond. I used to be very sharp, mentally. No more. I can not remember much. If my wife makes a list of things I am to get at the grocery, either I forget to take the list, or forget to look a it at the store. I lost my job because of my anger at myself. People thought I was a nut case. I hate to say this but if I new then what I know now I would have just let the cancer have me.

Do you have chemo brain?

Interesting. I had never heard of chemo brain before but it sure sounds a lot like me. I have felt really slow in my head. I also have a harder time concentrating and my memory isn't what it used to be before I was treated for ovarian cancer 2 years ago.

Look up chemo brain on the internet. Many theories will be found. The main one is that chemo basically shrinks the brain. yay. mine wasn't all that big to begin with, and I can't afford to lose any more, but I did. I almost wish the cancer did me in short and sweet.

I had BEP...Bleomycin, Cisplatnum, and Etopiside. I'd love any info you may have.

Hi All,
I've been wondering about this myself of late. I've only had two chemo treatments so far. ALso had cyberknife radiotherapy to my brain (3 1/2 hours) in January for a brain tumor.
Well just seems I can't get anything done I start, forget what I'm doing in a space of seconds, made the bed without putting the topsheet on yesterday, and took my list to the store, but for the life of me did not understand what one of the items I wanted was...I wrote mask. (DIdn't make any sense to me when I looked at my list! I only figured out it was a surgical type mask when I happened upon it in the store by accident!))
I read that chemo-brain should improve a year after the chemo stops, but what are you supposed to do in the meantime?
Hellas

I still have "Chemo Brain" 4+ years after Chemo. I used to have almost a photographic memory, especially with numbers. But have had a hard time, I can not get the right words out, alot of the time, it is completely a different word for what I am saying. I used to draft professional letters, couldn't even do one now. I have never mentioned it to the onc. but has affected my job , especially since the dentist I worked for retired after working for him for 23 years, and then now a young new dentist with a billion changes. I stay barely one step ahead. I know it is frustrating for my husband, he was so used to me remembering everything, even without a list, I can not remember a 3 item list to go to the grocery store. I HATE IT!!!!!!

Hi Friends

I am a survivior of myxoid liposarcoma... ten years now. Chemo brain? I used that term since the completion of my first round of chemo. A real foggy feeling and I often found myself just standing and staring off into space even though I was aware of sounds and talking around me. Big time disconnection. It lasted a few years for me... but I think it lasted so long because of severe clinical depression that followed all the survival treatments. I see it often in other people going through chemo or depression.

It truly does pass! Honestly and truly. Please do not ever begrudge the treatments as they are the best the medical community has for now. I HATED the treatments so much and know that the treatments were a primary cause for the clinical depression that followed. I hated the treatments SO much, they were SO devastating to me soul that I only would take four of the recommened six treatments. For me, it worked. For ME.

Roll with the fog when you are tired. When you are rested, fight the fog with mental or pphysical activity. This is what helped me help my brain to heal.

Much love to all of you
reachout

MY daughter who is lucky enough to be a 44 year old breast cancer survivor regularly deals with chemo-brain. For 3 months the chemo treatment literally brought her to her knees. But, we are so happy she is here. I did mega research through her illness. I was also in contact with an MD who believes injections of H0 20 injected into the tumors actually kills them, as well as injections of liquid vitamin C. I can only tell you the injections of H0 20 for skin Cancer (not by this physician) to me seem to be working. I was diagnosed with nodules in the breast for the first time this year. Lucky me for at least six months. In July we will have a follow-up Mammogram. If it doesn't look good my first stop will be to this MD. it seems the industry wants to keep some secrets. The simple cure "may" be here, but no one is talking.

MY daughter who is lucky enough to be a 44 year old breast cancer survivor regularly deals with chemo-brain. For 3 months the chemo treatment literally brought her to her knees. But, we are so happy she is here. I did mega research through her illness. I was also in contact with an MD who believes injections of H2 02 into the tumors actually kills them, I have had injections of H2 02 for skin Cancer (not by this physician) and it seems to be working. I was diagnosed with nodules in the breast for the first time this year. Lucky me for at least six months. In July we will have a follow-up Mammogram. If it doesn't look good my first stop will be to this MD. It appears the industry wants to keep some secrets. The simple cure "may" be here, but no one is talking.

FINALLY!!!People who know what im talking about!!
I'm 19 yrs old.I was Diagnosed with pPNET Ewings Sarcoma when I was 17. I had 17 chemos and 30 radiations.In total remission now.I knew that all of those chemicals had to have some effect on my brain.After my treatment I noticed my memory had deteriorated.Before the treatment,I had a pretty good memory.I first noticed it when I started to forget conversations I had with people.Then I noticed I couldnt string a sentence together.There are loads of other things too. I find my brain is just slower. Fog is the only word that can describe this thing!! For a while,everyone said I was just imagining it, until they saw the difference in me aswell.I also read that another side effect is a change in personality.It worries me to think I may not be the same.Just being able to read everyones stories and share mine has helped so much.Hopefully this chemobrain thing will go away!!!Although, it is a pretty good excuse when i need it!!!