Chemo Brain

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with CLL in the Fall of 2001. Since then, I

have had F, R,and FR every couple of years. Most recently in

February of 2010, I took two cycles of Bendamustine. A

couple of months ago, I noticed that I am forgetting things

such as names of people (e.g., well known actors, sports

figures) and certain words that I have used for decades. And

once I recall a name or word, I'll forget it again an hour

or day later, though I'll eventually remember it again. I

don't think I'm in the early stages of Alzheimer's because I

have been told you don't have Alzheimer's if you can

remember it later. So I browsed the Web and learned about

Chemo Brain, a memory loss that can occur from use of

chemotherapy drugs. The condition can last as long as five

years and even become permanent in some cases.

Has anyone who has taken chemotherapy noticed a similar

memory loss? I'm 64, still work and am concerned about

performance issues on the job. I would also like to know if

anyone is aware of a way to reverse chemo brain, short of

waiting it out.

Thank You.

Jim C in Rochester

[Guest guest]

Hi, My husband was diagnosed with CLL/SLL in 2005. He's had

chemo in pill form and one lot of i.v. in 2009. He was

taken off all chemo because of chemo brain, just as you

described. He has had no more chemo or treatment of any

kind since Nov. 2009 and is now in 'waiting' mode. The drs.

are reluctant to try more chemo because of his reaction,

although he was offered a trial of Bendamustine in 2010,

which he refused. At the moment he is 'hanging in',

although the prognosis he was given in Jan. of this year was

6 months. We anticipate that he will outlive the drs.

prognosis. Good luck - I hope your chemo resolves itself

in time.