Cancer Related Brain Fog: How do you cope with it?

@cfacarol
Here's another article: "Chemobrain: How It Happens, and Perhaps How It Can Be Stopped" -- https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/909047

and another, "What is the Best Approach to Managing Chemobrain" -- https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/899651

Thanks, you are correct. The study specifically addressed inflammation. It still seems that in the studies that were cited, the link between estrogen loss and diminished cognitive function was was not all that strong, and many of the studies were in animals. Have you seen anything that specifically links AI use and cognitive function?

@colleenyoung
Brain fog is a humiliation, as we all, I imagine, had previously considered ourselves as competent, independent agents of our lives. Now, suddenly, and for example, we mix up dates and times on the calendar or completely forget them, despite our best efforts, or find ourselves getting anxious when something goes awry (like my furnace quitting the night before Thanksgiving....) or buying completely inappropriate light bulbs when I otherwise would know better, etc. I also have little memory about things which happened during and the first year or so before and after chemo.

I keep two calendars... a master at home and an abbreviated one in my purse... and use lots of post-it notes, but sometimes it just doesn't help. I am getting used to returning inappropriate merchandise like the light bulbs or the garden lights timer... that kind of thing. But most of all, I try to get my friends used to the fact that I struggle with the calendar, although I notice that they just don't understand. Their assumption is that chemo brain, like chemo treatments, should be over by now (two years out). I certainly wish that was the case!

Brain fog, also called chemo brain, most certainly is real. Here's an article from Mayo Clinic with tips on how to manage it:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060

But I'd like to gather your tips of dealing with brain fog. What do you find is the biggest challenge with brain fog? How do you overcome or adapt to this challenge?

@cfacarol
This particular study sought to find inflammation as a mediator of low estrogens and cognitive changes, and notes that there is no empirical evidence for that. However, throughout the article, it notes that their search found numerous studies demonstrating that chronic low E2 levels are associated with cognitive impairments in both human and animal studies.

Thank you for the link, I had not seen this article. I do not have a scientific background. Most of the article was extremely complicated and I did not read it in great detail. The Conclusion (section 8) does state that although a lot of studies have been done, there is no evidence to date between low estrogen and cognitive change and that more research is needed. Perhaps I am missing something.

@cfacarol
There are plenty of studies on the effects of reduced estrogen via natural and surgically-induced menopause, and we can lump ourselves into the larger pie. So, yes... estrogen loss from AIs does effect our cognitive function (it's not your imagination). Here's a good article from the Frontiers of Neuroendocrinology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091302216300024

Thank you, Laurie. Sometimes we need to hear that one more time. It is real.

Just google ‘cognitive function and aromatase inhibitors’. There is a lot of information available. You’re right Laurie, it is technical, but for me there was still a lot good information to learn from. Though I am truly grateful for the medication to help reduce recurrence of breast cancer, but the side effects can be very challenging. I’m 66, I’ve worked very hard to be financially secure during my retirement years. As grateful as I might be for these meds, I’m also disappointed that my quality of life has been compromised by an essential treatment for breast cancer.

The presenter at this session did not talk to effect of any medications on cognitive function. I am taking a break from AI (with permission of oncologist) to see if I see any changes with cognitive and fatigue issues.

I did check https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed for any published studies on hormone therapy and cognitive issues, there are some published studies. I tried reading some, but very technical and not sure if there was any conclusion.

Laurie