Is it just the nature of the beast?

Where is the fine line of just being stressed out and having something wrong with you? I really think it is stress, just need some reassurance.

Forgetful yes
Scattered yes
Staring at something, you have seen a hundred times and can't remember what it's for yes
Brain MRI in Oct 04 good
Weight loss yes
Headaches yes, but nothing new
not sleeping yes
stressed yes
vision problems no, actually vision seems better except for small print.

[Rozebud]

I'm not sure, but here's mine:

Forgetful - yes
Scattered - yes
Staring at something, you have seen a hundred times and can't remember what it's for - yes
Brain MRI in Aug 04 - good
Weight loss - no, but I wish
Headaches - yes, for 2 months
not sleeping - yes, but have a teething baby
stressed - yes (Holidays? Ending treatment?)
vision problems - no
Mixing up Baltimore and Boston on a regular basis - yes

:)

So if you're mixed up, I'm right there with you!

Sounds like chemo brain to me. Or as we call it in allergy land : Brain Fog (Yes, I have the benefit of several ailments). It's been reported as a side effect of hormone tx as well. More so with Arimidex than Tamoxifen, I think. Some say it's the oestrogen deprivation acting up. Maybe if we go through natural menopause, we don't notice so much, as it happens gradually. But in sudden (chemo-, zoladex-, lupron-, oophorectomy-) induced menopause it hits us between the eyes.

Just my 2 cents.

Jacqueline

THANK YOU, I NEEDED THAT

[michele u]

Kristen,
I have the same things going on. I just sit there, thinking of what I want to say, looking stupid while people are waiting for your response! What I think is going on, we are put in a instant menapause state, and all these things are symptoms of menapause! Not sleeping, irritable, forgetfulness, etc. I think it's a combo of chemo and menapause! Michele u

[Lolly]

All of the above and then some...my husband will say, "oh, you must be having a chemo-brain moment!"
But seriously, it all sounds pretty normal, considering what you've been through. If the vision changes come on suddenly, or the headaches change in pattern or intensity, or if you just don't feel something is "right", then talk to your onc and ask for scans.

Love, Lolly

I think we all have it. Stress, too much multi-tasking, Christmas shopping, working, dealing with scans, etc. - and chemo brain, too.

I was shopping at Wal-mart today and parked my cart to go look at something and it took me 5 minutes to find the darn thing again! Couldn't remember where I'd parked it! Oh well. I just make lists for stuff I don't want to forget.

And I take Ativan at night to help me sleep.

Hang in there!

Mary Stewart
Cincinnati
smarycinc@aol.com