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Chemo Brain May Not be From Chemotherapy

By PJ Hamel, Health Guide Sunday, April 27, 2008
“ ‘Chemofog’ effects on brain may be a myth- Two studies showed no memory impairments as a result of chemotherapy.”msnbc.com, April 17, 2008.Wait a minute. Are we going down that “chemobrain isn’t real” path—again?! Just reading that headline on the MSN...
Anonymous
elkowalski43@bellsouth.net
4/27/08 5:22pm

I REALIZE THAT THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH SUCH TRAUMA WITH BREAST CANCER, HOWEVER, I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT YOUR BODY CAN RECEIVE ALL OF THAT INTENSE CHEMICAL THERAPY WITHOUT DOING SOME DAMAGE TO YOUR MEMORY.  AFTER ALL, IF IT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL THE BAD STUFF, IT SURELY IS STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL SOME OF THE GOOD STUFF SUCH AS MEMORY AND LEAVING US WITH JOINT PAIN, ETC.

 

SPEAKING OF JOINT PAIN, I AM NOW GOING TO TRY ACUPUNCTURE.  I AM TIRED OF TAKING PAIN PILLS, ETC.  I FIGURE IT IS SURELY WORTH A TRY.

PJ Hamel, Health Guide
4/27/08 5:48pm

Agreed; chemobrain is probably the result of lots of things, including the drugs. And as for the acupunture - I'm a huge proponent. Go for it! And good luck. - PJH

4/29/08 6:10pm

Absolutely, I have experienced this. ANd got very frustrated with my oncologist who had never heard of it and suggested half a baby aspirin daily. My family md went to the Mayo clinic site and found information, and started me on Straterra, given for ADHD, 40 mg, and it is working WONDERS for me. My focusing, concentration, word lapses, all have improved. Previously I was like one of the old fashioned candy machines. I could see a sentence in my brain, but when I engaged my mouth, it was as if I put in my money, pulled the knob, and the 'candy' - the word, hung up there and would not drop down.

 

PJ Hamel, Health Guide
4/29/08 9:07pm

Flutters - half a baby aspirin!? You've got to be kidding. I'd find a new doctor! Thank goodness your family doctor is a little more savvy. I'm glad the medication is helping. And I LOVE the candy machine metaphor - I'd take it a step further - it's like the gumball machine - when it finally DOES drop down, you wanted the red gumball but you got the yellow one! Cheers- PJH

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By PJ Hamel, Health Guide— Last Modified: 06/26/12, First Published: 04/27/08