Radiation impact on cognitive functioning/memory

Hello Barry @grimmers and welcome to head and neck connect. My radiation oncologist 13 years ago said that I would have some memory loss from the post surgery radiation to my skull base by my right ear. He was older and quite experienced at University of Michigan and recommended by Mayo radiation oncologists for treatment closer to home. Now at age 71 my memory symptoms and fogginess might also be from age. There is no sudden change, but very gradual with some days better than others. I would suggest a referral to a neurologist who specializes in dementia as they are the ones to do testing and give a diagnosis. Since you already have the brain MRI that will be helpful to a neurologist.
I just read a good book which might interest you called Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain by Partha Nandi MD. There is a lot of explanation of the link between GI and brain health.
Do you thing that your PCP or oncologist will make that referral to ease your mind abut your symptoms?

I lost some memories that were recent things I had learned. Just prior to my cancer I learned the Tunisian type of crochet. I had quite an extensive knowledge base and had several sample pieces done. After treatment all of that knowledge was gone! I have since relearned it but it amazed me that, that had vanished. The other was warping my weaving looms. Seriously! I have no idea how or where to begin! How and why my chemo and radiation decided to throw those files out escapes me. I have some slowing in word finding but I've also had MS for 30 years so some of that may be my MS.

It is also scary, our radiation memory loss, one does not know what we do not remember. To put it another way, you don’t know what you don’t know. As an engineer, I lost formulas I knew so well. As a pilot, I could still fly but did I forget something which could be life or death at the controls? As a friend I don’t recall your name but I have known you for years. All we can do is accept the way it is and live another day. Scary stuff indeed.

I had chemotherapy and radiation twice within two years, my brain was mush afterward. I had trouble articulating what I wanted to say, still do at times, but it has improved greatly. I was unable to find words, & made some interesting substitutes. Names were a real problem, of people I shouldn’t have a problem with; my kids, people I see every week… I repeated myself often, & forgot things immediately after being told. My cancer & radiation treatment is in my pelvis. I can only imagine if it had been in my brain. The good news, it has now been 2 years since I finished treatment. Most of my language skills have returned. My memory is greatly improved, but I still have some trouble, which could be sleep or natural aging. It does improve with time. Best of luck to you. Cancer takes a lot from us.

I found some relief by visiting a palliative care team. They prescribed a low dose of Adderall which has helped some. With that, I still have some days that are better. I am not quite 90 days out from chemo/radiation and I am learning to accept that healing f is a marathon and not a sprint. It's also unnerving to lose your thought mid-sentence. I hope you are able to find some relief. Peace be with you.

Thank you so much for this thread. I completed 35 radiation treatments and 6 doxorubicin March 7 for thyroid/trachea cancer. My short term memory is poor. But I don't get confused, and that is great. I have less drive than before and I really have to push myself. The responses of recovery give me hope.

I am seeing a neurologist but I dont think he understands the correlation between the chemo/radiation treatment on my coginitive decline. Tht is why I an here and may visit the Mayo clinic. It is nice to see that I am not ther only one.

Another radiation effect that I had happened during the treatment itself. I had my treatments at 7 am. I used that time to say my morning prayers. Try as I might to stay on task, my brain would shift from subject to subject. Random thoughts would fly in and out of my brain. I struggled to stay on task. One day I decided that I would say The Lord's Prayer since that was for memory and not spontaneous thought like my morning prayer. I began the prayer the prayer but could not say it start to finish without my brain shifting to other thoughts. I would have to stop my self and restart again and again. I did not say it out loud but rather in my head. I don't know if actually saying it out loud would have made a difference or not. My point is I had cognitive effects during my radiation as well as following.

Yes brain fog and dizziness are part of my life after chemo/radiation.
I find it difficult to carry a conversation, my mind drifts and I lose focus on the conversation.
I forget some things but yet remember others? I’m pretty good with names and things pertaining to K-9 detection and bite work.
When I get out of bed I lose my balance or if I get out of a chair too quickly I get dizzy.
I have learned to live with all of the above among many other things I deal with since cancer.

MOJO