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Chemo brain

Is this a real thing? Actually, yes.

Many cancer patients having chemotherapy treatment would use this term to describe a 'mental foginess' that they were feeling after treatment. In the late 1990s doctors started to identify this as a legitimate, real side effect to chemotherapy treatment.

 

What is it?

Chemo brain is the confusion, forgetfullness, and concentration issues that cancer patients might describe feeling after they have completed treatment.

 

While the name chemo brain orignates from troubles with chemotherapy, other cancer drugs such as hormone therapy, radiation, immunotherapy, etc. can be considered to cause chemo brain.

 

The symptoms, severity of symptoms, and length of symptoms depends from person to person. However, usually with time these symptoms will lessen and in many cases, disappear completely.

 

What should I do to help?

While chemo brain may be frustrating for people after they've finished treatment and want to start feeling healthy again, brain training and other exercises can help get your brain feeling more like normal.

 

Virtual games that are considering 'brain training', living a healthy lifestyle and getting adequate amounts of sleep are only a few of the suggestions to help your body get rid of chemo brain. Finding ways to cope with chemo brain, such as logging when you've taken a pill or writing down your list of to-do's might make chemo brain less frustrating.

 

Is this a real thing? Actually, yes.

Many cancer patients having chemotherapy treatment would use this term to describe a 'mental foginess' that they were feeling after treatment. In the late 1990s doctors started to identify this as a legitimate, real side effect to chemotherapy treatment.

 

What is it?

Chemo brain is the confusion, forgetfullness, and concentration issues that cancer patients might describe feeling after they have completed treatment.

Graphic representation of Chemo brain

 

While the name chemo brain orignates from troubles with chemotherapy, other cancer drugs such as hormone therapy, radiation, immunotherapy, etc. can be considered to cause chemo brain.

 

The symptoms, severity of symptoms, and length of symptoms depends from person to person. However, usually with time these symptoms will lessen and in many cases, disappear completely.

 

What should I do to help?

While chemo brain may be frustrating for people after they've finished treatment and want to start feeling healthy again, brain training and other exercises can help get your brain feeling more like normal.

 

Virtual games that are considering 'brain training', living a healthy lifestyle and getting adequate amounts of sleep are only a few of the suggestions to help your body get rid of chemo brain. Finding ways to cope with chemo brain, such as logging when you've taken a pill or writing down your list of to-do's might make chemo brain less frustrating.

 

Symptom list:

Chemo brain

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Financial support

Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.

p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.

Emotional support

Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!

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