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Early dementia from chemotherapy and radiation: Has anyone had it?
Breast Cancer hr+ her2 - 6 yrs ago
I went through chemotherapy, radiation and Anastrozole for breast cancer 5 yrs ago. I started losing my memory more and more recently.
It scares me to think I’m developing early dementia at 68. My mind goes blank , problems with names, past times and what’s worse not remembering my parents have passed many years ago but I talk like they’re still alive.!, Scares me is it Dementia or Alzheimer’s?
I’d appreciate any feed back and thoughts 🤔
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What’s confusing what is the difference between chemo brain ( brain fog) and Dementia??
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2 ReactionsI will say right off. Every person has different experiences and because of that comes away with different conclusions. I will share mine here
I took Anastrozole for a year and a half. I experienced a variety of side effects that were mostly tolerable. About 6 months ago my knee started progressively getting more and more painful and limited me significantly.
In discussion with my oncologist I went on a hiatus a month ago from Anastrozole for 3 months.
Most all of my minor side effects have gone and my issues with my knee has ebbed almost totally.
The most gratifying realization involved a side effect I had read was possible but did not comprehend was happening to me. IT WAS CALLED BRAIN FOG!
A couple of weeks into my hiatus I felt like I was indeed walking out of a fog in my perceptions, understanding, and interactions in general. It was a gift I didn’t expect because I didn’t know I was experiencing.
As I started out saying - every one is different in their experiences. I just had to respond to you when I read what you shared. I am thinking our brains are inadvertently sometimes blocked by this fog as a result of Anastrozole. I am so happy I can appreciate this difference that was effecting this vital part of my being.
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7 ReactionsI’ve seen a neurologist in the past but nothing became of it.
Definitely will call again for appt. Ty
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2 ReactionsPlease and please again, go tell these things to your doctor, and request a consult and testing. If caught early, many of these things are treatable. I am going to emphasize caught early again.
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4 ReactionsI’m so sorry to hear you are having these problems. Do you have a neurologist you can talk to about your fears?
I hope you find a solution!