The caption is me, every single day. Chemo brain, brain fog is something cancer patients who went through chemo have to go through.

So what is chemo brain?

Chemobrain refers to the cognitive impairment that can occur after cancer treatment. It’s not limited to people who get chemo (surgery and radiation can also contribute), but it’s more noticeable if you had chemotherapy. ( Dana-farber organisation, accessed 2023)

Is chemobrain all based on body and mind fatigue?
Chemobrain is partially based on body and mind fatigue. Animal studies have shown that chemotherapy may cause temporary reductions in cell growth in brain areas (such as the hippocampus) that control learning and memory. (Dana- Farber organisation, accessed 2023)

Even though, not everyone who undergoes chemotherapy has chemo brain but majority of people report to have cognitive issues during chemo. According to studies done at Dana- Farber organisation, women may be more at risk of chemo brain compared to men.

Even though the studies showed that chemo brain may improves within 9-12 months after completing chemotherapy, but many people still have symptoms at the six-month mark. A smaller fraction of people (approximately 10-20%) may have long-term effects. ( Dana-Farber organisation, accessed 2023)

One study suggested that people who receive both chemotherapy and tamoxifen may have more prolonged cognitive symptoms than those who receive only chemotherapy.

Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors may have a subtle negative effect on cognition, especially verbal memory and word finding. Tamoxifen is probably more likely to cause problems than aromatase inhibitors. Among aromatase inhibitors, exemestane has androgenic properties that may be less likely to cause cognitive problems. (Dana-Farber organisation, accessed 2023)

Even though I am on AI for my hormonal therapy, I still experience cognitive problems. Sometimes I even forget a person, the name and face. I also have difficulty remembering appointments so I try to write them down when I make them.

In my most recent check up, they found the blood flow to my brain stem was abnormal and my brain looks like an of elderly perso and showing risks of stroke. This is after chemotherapy and 5 years of AI drugs.

According to Dana-Farber organisation, they said that regular exercise is helpful for alleviating chemobrain symptoms. Aerobic exercises – walking, running, dancing, or cycling, to name a few – are probably better, but one study did show that resistance and strength training helped as well.

It’s also important to make sure you’re receiving treatment for any depression, anxiety, or sleep problems (including sleep apnea). Make sure you also have had your thyroid, vitamin D and B12 levels checked.

Cognitive treatments including brain games through websites such as lumosity.com and positscience.com, and EEG biofeedback (another form of “brain exercise” that naturally trains your brain waves to be in a less turbulent state), are significantly more effective than medications for treating chemobrain. ( Dana-Farber organisation, accessed 2023)

As I always have sinus issues as well as insomnia, my chemo brain does not seem to improve much even though I exercise regularly. My sinus issue has worsened over these 5 years and I have become dependent on steroid nose spray to prevent sinus infection and have a better sleep at night.

I am not sure if this has anything to do with my AI drugs but everything seems to lead back to it.

The good news is according to one large study, breast cancer survivors who received chemotherapy actually had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias compared to those who did not receive chemotherapy. ( Dana-Farber organisation, accessed 2023)

For all breast cancer survivors, always remember that you need to constantly understand your body and how you are feeling. Forgetting things is not your fault. Our brain is just not the same after chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

Being different is beautiful– Helen Murray (credits @ the life quotes)

Credits: https://www.dana-farber.org/health-library/articles/tips-for-managing-chemobrain/#:~:text=Does%20chemobrain%20ever%20go%20away,may%20have%20long%2Dterm%20effects.