Natural help for chemo brain

'lizbeth · 03-07-2009, 07:59 PM

Hello all,

Has anyone found anything natural that helped clear the fog from chemo? Its been about 6 months but I feel like such a dummy.

Suggestions welcome.

Bill · 03-07-2009, 08:11 PM

Hi Liz! I wish I could help clear the fog, but I can't. I'm sure some here can, though. Just make sure you're getting a good night's sleep, eating as healthy as you can, and getting some exercise daily. Also, as you rise daily, tell yourself, "I'm gonna do something good for someone else today, no matter how small it may seem". That helps you focus.

karen z · 03-07-2009, 08:18 PM

Give yourself more time. Six months out is not really that long.
karen

Jackie07 · 03-07-2009, 08:30 PM

I think both coffee and green tea will help because of the light stimulation to the brain by the caffeine. I am quite sensitive to caffeine, so I only drink it early in the morning (irregularly). Be sure to drink plenty of water with it.

But the most important thing I learned from my 3 (4) medical procedure/treatment is 'exercise'. Exercise increases the blood flow to the brain and helps the neurons to synap and connect. I remember how my 'fog' gradually disappeared after vigorous 'physical therapy' in 1990.

Even now, after any kind of exercise, I still would (quite often) mention to hubby that I feel like my brain has become a little bit more 'clear'...

Taking classes has also been my way of getting back to normal. And it helps to prove to my future employer that my brain is still intact.

And stay on this board to communicate and get support...
(twice I had to look up the dictionary while composing this message because I just couldn't be sure of the spellings...)

donalddonald · 03-08-2009, 01:46 AM

HI Lizbeth:
my wife had two Chemo and she took Chinese herb medicine to help clear the "fog", and it really worked ! but we are Chinese so we rely on it, may be you can try some herb or natural which you can find after you asked an expert.
My wife's doctor asked my wife not to take coffee and red tea because of the caffeine, also for your reference.
Just do things and have foods you feel confortable and good to you !
with good bless!

Merridith · 03-08-2009, 01:50 AM

I had a very tough time with chemo brain as well.

It was instrumental in my being unable to stay with my job.

I found that the chemo brain symptoms actually continued to get worse for about 3-4 months after my last chemo treatment.

The two things that I thought helped most were exercise & studying. I took college classes to exercise my brain.

I estimate that it has taken about 5 years to get back to normal. I just wish that there were more studies and recognition for how handicapping this disability is.

I have just started taking progesterone for hot flashes. This drug seems to have cleaned up the last bit of fog from my brain. There are studies out there indicating that progesterone has a positive impact on memory, although I didn't know this when I started taking it.

There are certain risk factors associated with taking progesterone, but I was willing to take them to get a normal life back.

In terms of coping - I kept a journal of activities & lists. I also kept shorthand notes of telephone conversations - so I could remember who/what I told things to. I kept a calendar of appointments and set an alarm to ring to remind myself when an appointment was due (in enough time to get out the door)

I always kept a pen in my car so that I could write down my parking space location!!!!!!!

I bought a filing cabinet & created a filing system so I could find things.

Lien · 03-08-2009, 03:00 AM

Perhaps a nintendo ds & a braintraining game will help. It worked well for my Allergy - brain, or Brainfog. I also drink yerba mate; a South American tea.

Jacqueline

BonnieR · 03-08-2009, 10:48 AM

There have been some good suggestions made. The only other natural thing I can recommend is TIME. It seems that as time goes on my brain is becoming more clear and I am functioning better. It has been gradual but suddenly I noticed!
Keep the faith.

jhandley · 03-09-2009, 02:36 AM

I find co-enzyme Q10 very helpful for clear thinking. It is also good anticancer and heart protective.
Jackie(down under)

'lizbeth · 03-09-2009, 07:54 PM

Thank you all for responding! I am already taking CoQ10 for my heart as I am still on Herceptin. I just went for my daily walk and found that it does clear the head. I have been studying for my Graduate Gemologist degree. I have been putting off seeing my Chinese doctor as my insurance doesn't cover accupunture, but it is probably time to go see her and try some chinese herbs. All great suggestions. And I had gotten a memory game for my hubbie - I'm going to borrow it back