What is brain fog like? How can I better understand as a caregiver?

@julymt, this is such a good question that I made it into its own discussion to gather thoughts from people going through cancer treatment can share what brain fog is like (sometimes called chemo brain). Here's some info from Mayo Clinic
- Chemo brain https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060

I'll start off the discussion.

Brain fog, like most side effects of cancer treatment, is different for each person. People can experience things like:
- trouble focusing, even on simple and common tasks. It's like the mind is on slow speed and then gives up
- difficulty finding words. With brain fog, a person might know what they want to say, but just can't seem to find the words
- fatigued. I describe fatigue as different from tired. It's like the mind and the whole body is wearing a heavy led suit covered in cotton balls. (Not sure if that makes sense. It's a heaviness within a fog.)

Sometimes, as a caregiver, you might notice that someone appears to be making an extra special effort to concentrate on something that should be almost automatic, like the spelling of a name they know.

Is your significant other currently on treatment, like chemo?

I've also heard this called "cancer brain" and I'm sure that I have experienced it myself. It is also annoying for someone to start asking me questions to test my brain fog. So that is something caregivers can be aware that those testing question are themselves annoying.

I'm not a medical professional, but in my personal experience, it will probably present to you just as "confused" or "forgetful," and will be hard to distinguish from the same symptoms coming from other causes (e.g. dementia, fatigue, low blood sugar, other medication side-effects).

What makes it "brain fog" is that it's different from the person's baseline condition, and starts and ends in some kind of phase with the treatment causing it.

For me my chemo brain has shown up as processing speed slow down. I've always been a super fast processor. Its noticeable in a classroom situation or when I watch/ play Jeopardy. Since my chemo (Cisplatin) I process slower. Its a side effect of Cisplatin and I knew that going in. Its pretty subtle as far as brain fog goes. During chemo I had fatigue and some word finding problems as well. I'm 2 years out from chemo now and all that remains is the speed thing.

it's terrible. meds change you. I got lyme disease and they put me on all these drugs including b/p meds which caused me brain fog , hallucinations etc. brain fog is like you are in a cloud, you can not focus or think clearly. since stopping all side effects are gone. clonidine and bystoic were deadly.

Brain fog can come from many sources. Dehydration or fatigue can be culprits. So can many types of medications, or a combination of meds. /sometimes, if a patient is able to adjust when certain medications are taken, the interaction between them can be lessened.

For me, I do indeed experience brain fog, or chemo brain. Sometimes losing my train of thought in mid-sentence, or losing a word that comes next. Or having that word "right there on the tip of my tongue" but not able to speak it. I forgive myself for it, slow down, take a deep breath, and try again. Those dang chemicals and medicines can really tweak a good day, but I don't wanna let that happen if it can be helped!
Ginger

That's exactly what brain fog is. You may forget a simple word or the meaning of it. I'm trying to write a sentence and know what I want to write but just do not remember what the word is. Later it will come to me. It may also happen when I am driving a familiar route. I suddenly do not remember where to turn. I pull over and it comes to me. Never be impatient with the person. My children understand now and give time of think of what I wanted to say.

I am type 2 Diabetic. I am 83 soon to be 84. I no longer can multitask. When I am walking, I have focus on the activity of walking or I may fall down, trip over something, or just lose my balance. I recently did an "IQ" test on the web and scored over 140. I am also a test subject in the Mayo Clinic's aging study. My memory seems to be working fine both short and long term. But the other night I was talking with one of my sons. While we were both talking in conversation, I thought of a question to ask him. By the time I was ready to ask the question. I lost it. I have another name for brain fog--"Brain Fart"! I have not had any of the meds all of you have mentioned.

I write a weekly opinion column for the local paper. My go-to book is the dictionary. And Wikipedia is my fast history lookup. My memory can be triggered by certain words or phrases. This means I can dynamically change direction on a topic and go off somewhere in my thinking. For some of my readers, they don't understand how I got to the end point. My "triggers" seem to work the same way every time.

It’s when you feel like 100 lb weight is sitting on your brain . You feel dizzy , lightheaded, off balance at times . Mine comes from deep grief after losing my husband of 23 years suddenly 6/2/25. Depression brings it on too. Losing your best friend in the world , your whole life and being alone at 63 has been horrendous.
Sometimes meds can cause heavy brain fog too I found out .
Insomnia causes it too .
It’s a hard thing to live with. All of it .

@colleenyoung Yes. And every week it is a new side effect. This one caught me off guard for sure. Thank you sharing.