Ever since my diagnosis & treatment of nonHodgkins Lymphoma in 2003/04, I have been dealing with a nasty case of 'chemo brain': unable to think of words or finish sentences when speaking, not understanding simple questions or instructions, inability to focus on the task at hand, short term memory loss, etc. For a long time I thought it was just me, not being able to cope with what happened compounded by depression.
Over the past few years I've come across a few articles that have given me hope that it's NOT just me, that it's a real medical condition that is *finally* getting some attention from the medical community. I wanted to share this with everyone because it's one of the better ones I've come across.
http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/Chemotherapy.aspx?TierId=1083&LinkId=5 4079&DocumentId=42628&utm_source=lymphoma_06&utm_medium=website&utm_content =lymphoma_06&utm_campaign=Lymphomali6li22BNewsletter
I've sent this to my family and close friends so they can understand why I do/don't do the things that I do, Sometimes I feel so deficient as a human, but the more knowledge I gain about this the better I feel about it and myself.
Blessings,
Nemomom
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Article on chemo brain
- By Nemomom4
- Posted December 3, 2008 at 10:33 am · 6 replies
- In Managing side effects
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Taxol Dementia Anxiety Taxotere Chemotherapy Memory Edema Carboplatin Depression
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- By gpawelski
- Posted December 4, 2008 at 10:24 am
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Good to bring this up nomomom. Having a good neurologist on board could possibly help matters. The one my wife saw was very instrumental in understanding what the problems were. Even though there was not much relief of the problem, it helped knowing that the chemo-necrosis problem (abnormalities around the white matter of her brain probably caused by the intense chemotherapy) was not just her.
There are a number of theories as to why chemobrain may occur. One is that some types of chemotherapy can cross the blood/brain barrier. Another is that the cognitive problems are created by free radicals, the toxic elements that many types of chemotherapy produce. And yet another is that some people have a genetic (epigenetic) background that makes them more susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy. Most likely it is not just one factor but many factors that combine to set the stage for chemobrain to occur.
According to studies by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, even standard-dose chemotherapy can negatively impact the cognitive functioning of cancer survivors up to 10 years after treatment. Reports of depression, anxiety, and fatigue, all of which can affect cognitive functioning, suggests that the differences in performance on cognitive tests were due to the chemotherapy itself, not to greater levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue in patients who received chemotherapy.
Leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a disorder that results from structural alterations of cerebral white matter, is characterized by cerebral edema, and can occur in patients of any age. It is the destruction of the myelin sheaths which cover nerve fibers. These sheaths, composed of lipoprotein layers, promote the transmission of a neural impulse along an axon.
Certain chemotherapy agents, especially those used in high-dose protocols, are causal agents. Because this syndrome alters neurobehavioral function, patients may present in a confused state, which can progress quickly to irreversible dementia, coma, or death, depending on its severity.
Necrotizing Leukoencephalopathy is a form of diffuse white matter injury that can follow chemotherapy. The chemotherapy drugs that most likely cause it are the vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vindesine and vinblastine), platin drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin), and the taxanes (taxol, taxotere). These drugs have the potential of interfering with nerve function.
Filley & Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, 2001
Journal of Clinical Oncology, January 15, 2002
Cossaart, SantaCruz, Preston, Johnson, & Skikne, 2003
- By Nemomom4
- Posted December 4, 2008 at 10:48 am
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Wow, what a load of information you've provided! Vincristine was one of the drugs I received in my regimen, so that's a possible connection. And I never thought about consulting a neurologist, that's an idea I think I'll pursue because of the impact on my life from all this. To have solid medical proof that my brain isn't functioning like it should would help me accept this instead of feeling like it's my fault. I truly think that most of my family/friends feel I'm imagining all this, which is demoralizing (not the word I want, but close enough).
Thank you so much for all the information you shared, it's VERY appreciated! I hope and pray your wife is doing okay.
Nemomom
- By Lindakaylkw101
- Posted December 6, 2008 at 8:13 am
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You are absolutely correct calling it chemo brain, I had it but it actually went away, along with my neuropathy, it has been 10 months (feb 14) since my last chemo treatment.
Good luck
Linda
- By Nemomom4
- Posted December 8, 2008 at 10:07 am
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Don't I wish! It'll be 4 years on Dec 27th since my last chemo tx and for me I think it's gotten worse. I'm going to talk to my oncologist and see if there's a neurologist in the area who specializes in this, or at least has an interest in it.
- By hschwartz
- Posted December 9, 2008 at 8:47 am
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THERE IS DEFINITE A CHEMO BRAIN SYNDROME. I HAVE HAD TWO BOUTS WITH NHL AND TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEMO AND MY MIND IS NOT THE SAME. I STILL FUNCTION WELL, BUT LESS WELL THAN PRE-CHEMO. IT'S OK AS LONG AS YOUR SPOUSE AND THOSE YOU ARE SEEING ON A DAILY BASIS ARE INFORMED AND UNDERSTANDING. KEEP YOUR MIND ACTIVE...I DO CROSSWORDS AND READ A LOT. IT ALSO MAY BE A FUNCTION OF AGE SINCE I AM 71. HOWARD
- By Nemomom4
- Posted December 9, 2008 at 9:24 am
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well my vote would not be for age! LOL I do read a lot, and do some word jumbles/searches but I do need to exercise my mind more. Life is so crazy busy with a family of 6 and a home business that I meet myself around corners sometimes! I'm 43, but my body feels so much older. One thing I started doing this week was I changed my multivitamin to one for women over age 55 because of the 'memory support' it has. We'll see if it helps or not, I sure hope so!
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