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I Keep Hearing About Chemo Brain - Is Anyone Experiencing It And How Bad Is It?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Mays Landing, NJ

I hear that some chemo causes a short term memory loss called chemo brain. If you are experiencing it, which chemo did you have and how bad are the memory problems from it?

March 8, 2015
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A MyBCTeam Member

This is another issue that varies from person to person. Unfortunately this is also one where the medical community is really just admitting is an issue. This also means there is little protocol for treatment.
I have been struggling for several years with some symptoms that escalated last year. If you think something is happening don't wait, be proactive and keep mentioning it, don't be afraid.
I spent two months in speech therapy (Dec 2014 & Jan 2015) with significant improvement. Had a neuro psyche evaluation done and do brain training games daily. They also sent me out with a list of strategies to assist me with daily life.

March 10, 2015
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member Docetaxel is not the same as Taxol, it's Taxotere, they are in the same drug class I believe but not the same drugs, and some different side effects from what I can tell reading others posts.

March 10, 2015
A MyBCTeam Member

I am almost 43 and my short term memory is in the crapper. I finished chemo Oct 1 2014 and I feel like its getting a little better but some days want to smack myself. I finished my BA about 3 years ago and thankful that I did before chemo. Nothing would stick! I heard it gets better...I believe it slowly is. Best thing is to keep routine! Keys in same place, put things away after use. Thats what I find I mess up on.

March 9, 2015
A MyBCTeam Member

Same with me as well. I had to take a leave from teaching college Math. I do some tutoring on the side and have found that I am having trouble focusing on some of the more difficult problems students are asking. They have been very patient. I try to do a little math problems every day just to keep it going.

March 9, 2015
A MyBCTeam Member

I was on taxotere and cytoxan in 2008 and had some chemo brain. It is a very real condition and the severity really depends on your chemo dosage and how long you're on it. I mostly had problems with finding the right words to finish sentences when speaking. I would also completely forget I was in the middle of a conversation and just stop talking. I've been on Gemzar since last July and notice I have a few problems with it, but nothing too severe. One thing that is supposed to help with it is working puzzles and playing games...anything to keep the mind active. I think that is why I'm not having a severe case of chemo brain this time. I'm ALWAYS playing games or working puzzles.

March 8, 2015

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