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Cancer Related Brain Fog: How do you cope with it?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Nov 11, 2023 | Replies (52)Comment receiving replies
I’m 68, the worst for me is that my son told me that I have dementia. That really hurt. My husband doesn’t really understand either. I KNOW that for me, the drugs that I must take to prevent recurrence of breast cancer causes brain fog.
Each of the hormone drugs I’ve taken to prevent recurrence suppresses estrogen, and low estrogen causes brain fog. I can only describe it as permanently being ‘menopausal’ with no end in sight.
Anastrozole was the worst for me. I’m currently on Exemestane and that’s better, but I’m still not my former self. My regular doctor specializes in geriatrics and I told her about my son’s observations of dementia. She put me through all sorts of testing for my mental clarity, including a brain MRI. She found nothing that could indicate dementia. Or anything wrong with my brain at all.
But now, I’m so self conscious of making any kind of a mistake that I just stay home by myself where I’m comfortable, without anyone to criticize me for my brain fog. I’ve come to love my alone time! I’m most comfortable and feel like myself just being alone. When I do go out I stay to myself as much as possible.
Replies to "I’m 68, the worst for me is that my son told me that I have dementia...."
@lisman1408 Oh, how hard to hear this from your son! He probably would be apalled to hear how his comments have affected you! Have you shown him this post and your replies? Or perhaps your dr would kindly explain how much stress that puts on you? Has he noticed your reluctance to "engage" since his comments?
I have fibro, along with other health issues that include brain fog. Where it used to be that I was easily distracted by things ["shiny object syndrome" or "look, a squirrel!"] it has morphed a bit into a sudden loss for a word to finish a sentence. My husband will unkindly say, "finish what you are saying". Friends who understand will gently prompt me, "you were taking about..." to get me back on track. You never know how seeing a family member work with brain fog will affect someone.
Gentle hugs,
Ginger
You are not alone. I totally understand how you feel. I have taken 3 estrogen inhibitor to no avail. When the pain and other side effects make you feel as if your physical body is standing next to you to get away from everything, its horrible. I also am taking anastrozole now (4th inhibtor) for 10 months. I guess combo of all these meds, plus anastrozole now, does make a person feel brain fog is all around you. My son remarked I am senile. That hurts down to the core. My thoughts are with you.
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@lisman1408 I am so sorry to hear that your family doesn’t understand how difficult brain fog is and that it’s not a choice. I included this link to an earlier discussion that had a good article on brain fog. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/649496/
Maybe your husband and son could be encouraged to read it and try to understand. And show your friends, too. You really don’t want to stay home.
Could you ask your husband to go to your next doctor’s visit so the doctor can explain brain fog?