Symptoms of chemo brain vary depending on the person. But you may:
If the problem is mild, you may be the only one who notices any change in your behavior.
Chemo brain may go away when treatment ends. If your symptoms are mild, they may go away without treatment. If your symptoms are very bad, your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist who is an expert in thinking and memory problems.
Your doctor will listen to your symptoms and examine you. He or she may ask questions about when you notice problems with thinking. Your doctor will look for other causes of your problems. For example, certain medicines can cause foggy thinking. Dehydration, stress, depression, and trouble sleeping also can affect thinking and memory.
Be patient with yourself. Try to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and get some physical activity each day. Try to reduce stress, maybe with meditation or yoga. Use sticky notes and phone alarms to remember events. Make to-do lists on your phone or in a notebook. Maybe family and friends can help.
It can be frightening to have chemo brain, especially during what is already a stressful time. Here are some ideas that may help you cope with this problem.
These thinking and memory problems may be caused by chemotherapy medicines used to treat cancer. They could occur because of the cancer itself and maybe because of other medicines used to treat cancer. The anxiety and stress of having cancer also may make it harder to think and remember.
Chemo brain is a problem with thinking and memory that can happen during and especially after chemotherapy treatment for cancer. It can make it hard for you to think, concentrate, and do tasks. You may have trouble remembering things. And you may feel like your brain isn't working right.
It can be frightening to have this happen, especially during an already stressful time. These problems can be mild. But they can be so serious that people have a hard time working or doing their daily activities.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated