Chemo feels like getting dementia pls reassure me

[lisalisa]

I’m half way through a 6 cycle chemo regime . Each cycle has been different but what worries me is that I sort of sit with a blanket in my lap staring into space , thinking of nothing , hands clasped for hours at an end not doing anything . I used to run my own law office and take care of a busy household but am now content to dit staring into space for hours and hours . I worry that on top of everything I’m getting senile .
can anyone reassure ?
I have breast cancer in case that helps with relating .

Sending you lots of well wishes from Australia!

During chemo my mil would often times sit there staring into space feeling numb and not think of anything. She learned to pick up quilting and knitting pretty well.
Sadly it didn't end well for her after a lengthy battle but I'm sending you lots of love and light your way

Chemo brain fog is a very real thing, I think the statistic is that up to 75% of people going through chemo will have it during treatment, but most people find it improves after. Have a chat with your chemo nurses as there are things that can help, but you can also be (extremely understandably) depressed during chemo rather than it being just down to the drugs

Yes. I had breast cancer over 10 years ago. I was young. No one told me this happened and after a while I plucked up courage to mention it to the chemo nurse as I honestly thought I was getting dementia. She said oh no did no one warn you. I would forget the name of things and speak a sentence jumbling words up. After a while it went back to normal. Getting it again but now I’m putting it down to the start of peri menopause.

Thsnk you everyone. I’m not depressed @CMOTDibbler akthough I can understand from my post that it might seem that way - I’m actually quite positive but just scared that I sit around like an old lady ( I’m 56) starting into space for hours content to do literally nothing . Almost as if I’ve been given tranquillisers . Is this chemo brain fog then ? Is it normal ? I’m so glad you’ve recovered @Snowred1

The other thing I keep doing is crying . Anything makes me cry . Even though I’m not sad . What a mess

Sounds like a bit of chemo brain/brain fog but also you are maybe mentally overwhelmed. I found sometimes I couldn’t focus on things just because my brain in the background was overwhelmed with chemo, work and two small children.

I understand totally/completely - at my first Chemo session I was bored out of my tiny mind - the whole process took nearly 5 hours - I made a firm decision not to put up with that again.

So - when having Chemo or recovering from an operation I couldn't have managed without my Bush DAB Radio - when I couldn't get to sleep - when I woke during the wee small hours - during the to-and-fro and noise of the daylight hours - it was delightful to wear the headphones, close my eyes and relax.

Not the ear buds because they fall out and they don't block the noise of a busy ward.

Not the Handheld Portable one because the recharging socket at the side breaks far too easily (flippin' stupid design)

I kept the radio and the headphones in three (yes three) firm plastic bags (two were Waitrose bags) which protected and cushioned them in case of a fall from the hospital bed (all too easily done).

Also a 3 pin plug with a USB and a long cable.

I hope this helps - Dan.

My mother had a brutal radiotherapy/chemo regime and the brain fog was awful.

I would say it was entirely normal @lisalisa (my mother is a lot older than you and thought it was dementia). Also fatigue - which I think exasperated the brain fog. She’s also had to be caffeine free for her treatment and think the first few weeks of caffeine withdrawal were also tougher than imagined.

She’s now in recovery and much better.

I hope you’ve got people who are supporting you.

Thanks I have people supporting me but they’re all not here . I’m now crying and can’t seem to stop . Sorry . I don’t feel good

I just feel so lonely and miserable and unwell

Sympathies, OP. I'm very brain foggy, and also can cry at absolutely anything (or absolutely nothing). I'm 11 chemos in, 4 to to go. It's definitely got worse as I've gone along, and I think it's completely normal.

You're halfway through, keep going

@BatshitCrazyWoman im sorry you’re going through this shit too . 11 chemos my goodness that makes me sound like a wimp . Does your brain foggy ness also feel like senility ?

@lisalisa I think it’s perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed and crying is a natural reaction. You are tired, unwell and emotionally drained. Let yourself go with it.

Are you at home, alone? Can you give yourself an afternoon of rest? Trashy TV in bed? Or a duvet on the sofa?

Chemo is shit. I'm just over two years out and it has definitely affected my memory, but I am back to working nearly as normal and just try to keep lots of lists. My ability to focus on things seems pretty much the same as it was before though. I dealt with it by eating incredibly healthily and exercising, I was on three weekly cycles and for the first week I couldn't exercise normally but I made sure I moved every day, either gently on my exercise bike or just for a walk. I think you have to both keep going normally in someways and in other ways just lower your expectations about what you're able to do. And don't be hard on yourself because you're finding it difficult, it is just difficult!

@SparklyBrickViper thank you . Yes I’m home alone although hubby will be back later .
I think I’ve worked out why I’m crying nonstop and feeling so ill and overwhelmed. I usually rest or sleep most afternoons from about 12.30 to 4 as the fatigue just comes in waves but today is the first time I’ve just sat downstairs old lady like not feeling desparately tired but perhaps my mind and body are tired and I need to go to bed

Well, I don't know what senility feels like, but chemo has knocked the stuffing out of me, that's for sure. But I'm nearly done, and so are you. Go us, we've managed to get through.

@KnutsfordCityLimits im glad you’re two years out . It’s so helpful to hear positive things like that .
I do walk most days for exercise and also eat mainly very healthily and am in 3 weekly cycles like you were . Weeks 2 and 3 are usually good except for this stupor and dementia feeling and the crying

Thank you and yes go us !
do you have surgery to come ? I am having surgery after chemo ends

Im
going to check back later but fir now I’m going to turn my phone off and try to sleep . Thank you everyone for your kind and encouraging words x

@SparklyBrickViper - Sorry you are going through this - there are some good posts/advice in this thread - Chemo knocked the stuffing out of me as well.
Keep resting - keep yourself hydrated - it is very difficult.

Op, so sorry you are going through this. There are lots of really helpful folk on the long running cancer threads who can offer support and advice. And so many of us will recognise what you describe.
Many of us are folk with v busy professional lives/ careers- and retired ones too.
You will get through this- take one day at a time, and feeling shit and emotional is all part of the deal. 🌺🌺

are you in menopause from the treatment,? That would explain. All the best.

I was told during chemo that because your blood counts drop, it makes you very emotional. No one warned me though, it was only when I asked after the 2nd cycle anyone said anything!

I also sat around doing not a lot, not thinking much til I was past the worst of the effects. Couldn't remember anything. I'm 34, and I've been assured it was chemo brain fog and eventually it lifted!

Best of luck with the rest of your treatment x