Forgetfulness

A sense of humor helps a lot.

Discuss your memory loss with your oncologist first. The physician might recommend a neurological workup to rule out other issues.

Make sure you’re doing your best to take care of your whole mind and body.

If you can’t remember things, write them down. Keep lists of important tasks to complete. Keep a calendar to keep track of important dates.

Slow yourself down and be patient. If you can’t come up with the name for the phone, computer, etc., explain or show what it does.

Don't feel obligated to make quick decisions. Take your time in processing information.

Sign up for a cancer survivor support group. Many people get support during treatment but never seek support for the ongoing side effects after chemotherapy. Hearing similar stories and having others to commiserate with is good for your soul.

No medications have been approved to treat chemo brain, but you may consult your physician for medications that are used to treat similar issues.

Some medications that might be considered are:

- Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin), a drug approved for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Donepezil (Aricept), a drug used in people with Alzheimer's disease
- Modafinil (Provigil), a drug used in people with certain sleep disorders

Ideas to help:

- Repetitive exercises to train your brain such as brain teasers and crossword puzzles.
- Coping strategies such as reminder notes, developing routines, carrying a notepad, etc.
- Stress-relief techniques such as yoga, naps, breathing exercises, etc.

Chemobrain refers to someone who is experiencing memory loss or feels like their mind is not moving as quickly as usual either during or after chemotherapy treatments.

It is not clear what causes chemo brain and no standard treatment has been developed.

Other issues or side effects of chemotherapy might be contributing to the memory problems and should be investigated. Examples are anemia, depression, sleep problems and early menopause. Controlling these factors may make it easier to cope with chemobrain.

In most cases, cancer-related memory problems are temporary, so treatment focuses on coping with symptoms until they eventually subside.

Yes. "Chemo brain” or memory loss after chemo is common. Research has found that memory loss from chemo is usually short term. It can affect the ability to think quickly, focus, and multi-task.

As of now, there is no treatment. It is recommended to keep your mind active (i.e. mind games). You may carry a notepad around and utilize reminders. Do not feel obligated to make quick decisions.