Cognitive changes after chemo

I have noticed the brain fog too. I had a mastectomy and chemo in 2024. Then started Anastrazole but had to stop that due to severe trigger thumbs, etc. I was put on Exemestane and have been on it for a year. Drug fog? Age fog at 85? I am currently in a small community theater production. I had to work really hard to memorize a two page monologue. Wow, that disturbed me. Whatever is causing it, I don't like it. I am being much more careful to keep a nice sized paper calendar and to make sticky notes as necessary. So far, I haven't missed anything but I feel I have to work at it. My brain feels tired, if that makes sense.

@horseeagle, can you share a bit more? How long ago did you complete cancer treatment? Do you have moments when you have a complete blank and just can't remember?

I have just let go of trying to "get back" to any of my pre-cancer life. I'm in a space of re-imagining how I want to move about going forward.

@mrszig this is SO TRUE! I would have thought twice about the chemo!

@mrszig SAME! I'm leaning into 2 years out of active treatment. Am still taking letrozole. My brain freezes, I cannot remember or pronounce certain words (which is problematic as I am a writer!)...I remember faces, forget names--of real people and actors on TV. I read and hardly retain. I'm struggling. I'm researching and writing a book right now. Plan to reinvent how I wake up and move through the day to try to help. Also am having difficulty sleeping at night...get to bed around 4am and get up at noon or a little earlier.

Oh my, I feel this, but I was lucky to forgo chemotherapy. I had two surgeries in August 2024, radiation Nov & Dec after that, and have been taking Letrozole, Verzenio and Zoladex shots. I am 56 and had three tumors on my left - invasive ductal and lobular plus 6 lymph nodes (so the whole packet removed). The brain fog and fatigue is intense and affecting me at work and home. My team is working on helping but they do warn me that I may not get back to my pre-diagnosis “normal”. It really helps knowing others experience this, as I tend to feel guilty for not being nearly as productive as I used to be. Wishing you the best in your recovery! 💕

God have I ever! I feel STUPID!!! I forget what I was talking about, I ask a dozen times a day what time it is etc etc. I ask my Dr. and he tells me that it could last for years!!! They don’t tell you that before you agree to the treatment.

@cookercooker I've been going through this for about 5 years now and am still on an AI. Right now I am on Letrozole. Before that it was Exemestane. I wanted to stop the Exemestane as it was making me terribly moody. I agreed to try Letrozole to see if I tolerated it any better. I also took Anastrozole for awhile. I really don't see much difference in any of them. One thing I have not had to deal with is aches and pains from the AI's. So many people seem to be affected that way. I'm glad I am not one of them!

@sally484 71 isn't old. I'm 69 and I've started forgetting things. Short term memory is especially affected. Have had one round of carb.pac. and am now on enhertu--for a year now. So I haven't had much of a break from treatments for 2 years. I chalk up my memory problems to the chemo.

I am 71 and have been through chemo, radiation and a lumpectomy. I am on AI's now(this is about my 3rd or 4th one). This whole thing started about 5 years ago when I found a lump in my breast. Anyway, I have what they call "chemo brain" now but due to my age, I have to wonder, is it that or is dementia setting in??? It scares me to death. Sometimes I think I'm getting better, then all of a sudden something happens that I can't remember or get a grip on. My mind just goes blank. It's awful.