Re: Memory problems Tracey

January 4, 2008

Wow, girl you are good. Scary good!

You are correct. Wow, this is weird. Everything you said makes perfect

sense and you are 100% correct. It IS more a concentration then a memory

issue.

I mean I remember things like birthdays, events, words to songs, blah, blah,

blah....

I have however, like you said been driving and forget where I am going, or

think I missed a turn even when I am going to a familiar place. And this

happens almost daily. I think maybe I notice it more as I am a type A

personality.

And I was always on the go, never slowed down, workaholic, organized and

always juggling 30 things at once and managing it all. That however was before

these medications.

Now, I can be doing something around the house, maybe simply unloading the

dishwasher and get interrupted by say the door or phone and then start

something else and not recall that I was unloading the dishwasher until walking

back

into the kitchen. Does this make sense?

I guess its scary to me that I am responsible for these 3 children and I am

only 35 and all this is happening to me. I wonder what I will be like in 3

or 10 years? Don't get me wrong, I am VERY grateful to have these drugs and

be alive. I just miss having my life as a RN and running a business. Lord

only knows what I would mess up doing all the things I used to do.....scary

thought.

Anyway- thanks for the clarification and examples. It makes sense to me.

peace. hugs and hope

35

CML 5/13/05

Spyrcel 100mg

Gleevec 800 mg until 8/07

Wife and mother of 3 (12,8,7)

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

January 5, 2008

This lack of concentration thing scares the bejeezus out of me. Some days I

wonder whether I should quit working, but then what would I do? I couldn't

afford to live off disability alone. Plus I would miss the work. But I'm nowhere

near as sharp as I need to be. After reading this string of emails, I've decided

to hit the health food store first thing in the morning to load up on magnesium!

I also have been taking acetyl carnitine which is supposed to be a good " brain

drug, " although I haven't noticed the great surge in acumen I was hoping for.

From: vegasrnjen@...

Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 23:01:22 -0500

Subject: Re: [ ] Memory problems Tracey

Wow, girl you are good. Scary good!

You are correct. Wow, this is weird. Everything you said makes perfect

sense and you are 100% correct. It IS more a concentration then a memory

issue.

I mean I remember things like birthdays, events, words to songs, blah, blah,

blah....

I have however, like you said been driving and forget where I am going, or

think I missed a turn even when I am going to a familiar place. And this

happens almost daily. I think maybe I notice it more as I am a type A

personality.

And I was always on the go, never slowed down, workaholic, organized and

always juggling 30 things at once and managing it all. That however was before

these medications.

Now, I can be doing something around the house, maybe simply unloading the

dishwasher and get interrupted by say the door or phone and then start

something else and not recall that I was unloading the dishwasher until walking

back

into the kitchen. Does this make sense?

I guess its scary to me that I am responsible for these 3 children and I am

only 35 and all this is happening to me. I wonder what I will be like in 3

or 10 years? Don't get me wrong, I am VERY grateful to have these drugs and

be alive. I just miss having my life as a RN and running a business. Lord

only knows what I would mess up doing all the things I used to do.....scary

thought.

Anyway- thanks for the clarification and examples. It makes sense to me.

peace. hugs and hope

35

CML 5/13/05

Spyrcel 100mg

Gleevec 800 mg until 8/07

Wife and mother of 3 (12,8,7)

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

January 7, 2008

Hi Jen!

I know what you mean. I have children too and have you ever actually

forgotten their names for a second? I have. and have to run down the list or

I just say " you know who you are "

The worst part for me is that my family just refuses to understand it. They

treat me some times like I'm just some kind of fruit cake. Instead of

letting them hurt my feelings all the time, I just make a joke out if with

them.

It makes me feel better at the moment and they laugh about it.

I have been considering getting a navigating system for my vehicle but what

do I do when I get in the car ready to leave and can't remember where the

heck I planned on going? :-)

My other big problem is I put important papers and other things in safe

places so That I will remember where they are when I need them and sure

enough it never fails when its time to look for something I need and have

placed in my safe places, I end up spending about 2 to 3 hours looking in

all the places I was sure they would be.

While doing this the anxiety sets in and makes it all worse.

Eventually I find them but by then I'm so worn out and frustrated and

felling sooooo inadequate!

ez

January 7, 2008

I have been reading with interest 's comment on the side effects of Gleevac.

I don't post often but read the posts every day, I felt I wanted to jump in here

because everything has said could well be me. I have been on Gleevac since

Jan 2003, having spent 2002 on Interferon which really and truly effected my

memory. The worst night being when I left work, got in my car and couldn't

remember how to get home....scary stuff. Thank God for cell-phones and a

wonderful friend who talked me home.

Now on Gleevac I have times when I can't remember peoples names, or get half way

through telling somebody about some place I've been and then completely forget

the name of it.

The other thing I notice is that sometimes I feel like my mind is totally

fuzzed, I have all these ideas spinning around in my head but I can't

concentrate on anyone to bring to fruition, I know that at 55 this is probably

common, but can't help but think it's to do with the drugs.

I also find sometimes at work (in a restaurant) the things I've done routinely

for 23 yrs, suddenly seem really foreign to me.

The biggest problem and it's only developed lately is dreadful cramp pains in my

legs at night, most nights I'm up at least 2/3 times because the pain is to

intense to ignore.I wondered if anyone had any suggestions for this as it is

getting worse lately and my Gus (cat) is getting tired of being disturbed LOL.

Anyway I still think Gleevac is the best thing since sliced bread because apart

from these little things I feel amazing, my last marrow count saw me at 0.01% so

I'm not complaing. Oh by the way here in New Zealand we don't have a Bone Marrow

Biopsy any more they do a separate blood test instead. I had BMP 's up until

2007 and I don't have too many happy memories about those I must admit, but now

they do an extra blood test instead.

Anyway take care to everyone out there and remember if we have to have CML this

is probably the best time to have it, with all the drugs there are now they

can't be too far from a cure.

Cheers

Liddy

January 7, 2008

Liddy, I used to get those leg cramps, too. When something doesn't just keep you

up, but *wakes* you up from a sound sleep, you know it's bad! I took pain

killers (vicodin) every now and then when they were particularly bad but what

ended up working better in the long run was ibuprofin and a very mild sedative

(lorazepam, half of a 5 mg tablet) at bedtime. Now, the problem has pretty much

subsided, and I've got my fingers crossed it does for you, too.

Re the memory/concentration problem. Is that from leukemia or gleevec?

@...: calicolid@...: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 08:03:50

+1300Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Memory problems Tracey

I have been reading with interest 's comment on the side effects of Gleevac.

I don't post often but read the posts every day, I felt I wanted to jump in here

because everything has said could well be me. I have been on Gleevac since

Jan 2003, having spent 2002 on Interferon which really and truly effected my

memory. The worst night being when I left work, got in my car and couldn't

remember how to get home....scary stuff. Thank God for cell-phones and a

wonderful friend who talked me home.Now on Gleevac I have times when I can't

remember peoples names, or get half way through telling somebody about some

place I've been and then completely forget the name of it.The other thing I

notice is that sometimes I feel like my mind is totally fuzzed, I have all these

ideas spinning around in my head but I can't concentrate on anyone to bring to

fruition, I know that at 55 this is probably common, but can't help but think

it's to do with the drugs.I also find sometimes at work (in a restaurant) the

things I've done routinely for 23 yrs, suddenly seem really foreign to me.The

biggest problem and it's only developed lately is dreadful cramp pains in my

legs at night, most nights I'm up at least 2/3 times because the pain is to

intense to ignore.I wondered if anyone had any suggestions for this as it is

getting worse lately and my Gus (cat) is getting tired of being disturbed

LOL.Anyway I still think Gleevac is the best thing since sliced bread because

apart from these little things I feel amazing, my last marrow count saw me at

0.01% so I'm not complaing. Oh by the way here in New Zealand we don't have a

Bone Marrow Biopsy any more they do a separate blood test instead. I had BMP 's

up until 2007 and I don't have too many happy memories about those I must admit,

but now they do an extra blood test instead.Anyway take care to everyone out

there and remember if we have to have CML this is probably the best time to have

it, with all the drugs there are now they can't be too far from a

cure.CheersLiddy

January 8, 2008

Hi Group-

I am feeling so comforted from reading about the

distraction/memory loss posts from all of you. I was

feeling very stupid due to my " chemo brain moments "

I am changing positions at work because of it. Sat

night I was at a pasta party the night before my first

half marathon with Team in Training. I broke my

dental bridge and two of the teeth actually fell out

into my hand. Well as many of you know bridges run

about $ 1000.00 a tooth and thanks to my chemo brain-

I have no idea where I put it. I know when I was

packing to leave the hotel I thought to put it

somewhere safe- I just can't rememeber where. This is

going to be a very expensive lesson for me.

Also thanks for the advice about the rash- it appears

it is just cosmetic. Just weird showing up 9 months

after I started gleevec.

Hang in there my friends- we are alive!!!!!!

Chi

--- ez <lmartinez@...> wrote:

> Hi Jen!

>

> I know what you mean. I have children too and have

> you ever actually

> forgotten their names for a second? I have. and have

> to run down the list or

> I just say " you know who you are "

>

> The worst part for me is that my family just refuses

> to understand it. They

> treat me some times like I'm just some kind of fruit

> cake. Instead of

> letting them hurt my feelings all the time, I just

> make a joke out if with

> them.

>

> It makes me feel better at the moment and they laugh

> about it.

>

> I have been considering getting a navigating system

> for my vehicle but what

> do I do when I get in the car ready to leave and

> can't remember where the

> heck I planned on going? :-)

>

> My other big problem is I put important papers and

> other things in safe

> places so That I will remember where they are when I

> need them and sure

> enough it never fails when its time to look for

> something I need and have

> placed in my safe places, I end up spending about 2

> to 3 hours looking in

> all the places I was sure they would be.

>

> While doing this the anxiety sets in and makes it

> all worse.

>

> Eventually I find them but by then I'm so worn out

> and frustrated and

> felling sooooo inadequate!

>

> ez

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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January 8, 2008

When I'm alone, these moments fill me with despair. When I see others are going

through the same stuff, it all seems really funny!

@...: chimera46@...: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 17:18:00

-0800Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Memory problems Tracey

Hi Group-I am feeling so comforted from reading about thedistraction/memory loss

posts from all of you. I wasfeeling very stupid due to my " chemo brain moments "

I am changing positions at work because of it. Satnight I was at a pasta party

the night before my firsthalf marathon with Team in Training. I broke my dental

bridge and two of the teeth actually fell outinto my hand. Well as many of you

know bridges runabout $ 1000.00 a tooth and thanks to my chemo brain-I have no

idea where I put it. I know when I waspacking to leave the hotel I thought to

put itsomewhere safe- I just can't rememeber where. This isgoing to be a very

expensive lesson for me.Also thanks for the advice about the rash- it appearsit

is just cosmetic. Just weird showing up 9 monthsafter I started gleevec.Hang in

there my friends- we are alive!!!!!!Chi--- ez <lmartinez@...>

wrote:> Hi Jen! > > I know what you mean. I have children too and have> you ever

actually> forgotten their names for a second? I have. and have> to run down the

list or> I just say " you know who you are " > > The worst part for me is that my

family just refuses> to understand it. They> treat me some times like I'm just

some kind of fruit> cake. Instead of> letting them hurt my feelings all the

time, I just> make a joke out if with> them. > > It makes me feel better at the

moment and they laugh> about it. > > I have been considering getting a

navigating system> for my vehicle but what> do I do when I get in the car ready

to leave and> can't remember where the> heck I planned on going? :-) > > My

other big problem is I put important papers and> other things in safe> places so

That I will remember where they are when I> need them and sure> enough it never

fails when its time to look for> something I need and have> placed in my safe

places, I end up spending about 2> to 3 hours looking in> all the places I was

sure they would be. > > While doing this the anxiety sets in and makes it> all

worse. > > Eventually I find them but by then I'm so worn out> and frustrated

and> felling sooooo inadequate! > > > > > > ez > > > > > > [Non-text

portions of this message have been> removed]> >

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January 8, 2008

Hi Chi - that is soooo awful for you! Although I think it's fantastic that

you can run half marathon! I've always been athletically challenged when it

comes to running, so good luck and I hope you find your bridge.

Regards,

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of china

neal

Sent: Tuesday, 8 January 2008 12:18 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Memory problems Tracey

Hi Group-

I am feeling so comforted from reading about the

distraction/memory loss posts from all of you. I was

feeling very stupid due to my " chemo brain moments "

I am changing positions at work because of it. Sat

night I was at a pasta party the night before my first

half marathon with Team in Training. I broke my

dental bridge and two of the teeth actually fell out

into my hand. Well as many of you know bridges run

about $ 1000.00 a tooth and thanks to my chemo brain-

I have no idea where I put it. I know when I was

packing to leave the hotel I thought to put it

somewhere safe- I just can't rememeber where. This is

going to be a very expensive lesson for me.

Also thanks for the advice about the rash- it appears

it is just cosmetic. Just weird showing up 9 months

after I started gleevec.

Hang in there my friends- we are alive!!!!!!

Chi

--- ez <lmartinezavatel (DOT) <mailto:lmartinez%40avatel.us> us>

wrote:

> Hi Jen!

>

> I know what you mean. I have children too and have

> you ever actually

> forgotten their names for a second? I have. and have

> to run down the list or

> I just say " you know who you are "

>

> The worst part for me is that my family just refuses

> to understand it. They

> treat me some times like I'm just some kind of fruit

> cake. Instead of

> letting them hurt my feelings all the time, I just

> make a joke out if with

> them.

>

> It makes me feel better at the moment and they laugh

> about it.

>

> I have been considering getting a navigating system

> for my vehicle but what

> do I do when I get in the car ready to leave and

> can't remember where the

> heck I planned on going? :-)

>

> My other big problem is I put important papers and

> other things in safe

> places so That I will remember where they are when I

> need them and sure

> enough it never fails when its time to look for

> something I need and have

> placed in my safe places, I end up spending about 2

> to 3 hours looking in

> all the places I was sure they would be.

>

> While doing this the anxiety sets in and makes it

> all worse.

>

> Eventually I find them but by then I'm so worn out

> and frustrated and

> felling sooooo inadequate!

>

> ez

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

__________________________________________________________

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know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.

<http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ>

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January 8, 2008

i needed to jump in on this subject, too. I just thought that it was my age,

(56), and I have never told anyone about it, not even Dr. Mauro. I guess that I

just felt " stupid " . I have been " suffering " in silence for years on this, not

remembering things that people have told me. I'm pretty good at keeping a

secret, as I don't usually remember it the next day. There are times when it

isn't too bad, but most days I feel like my head is just fuzzy.

_________________________________________________________________

Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows Live™.

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January 8, 2008

Same here...just thought it was me. I'll sit and think of a word for like 10

minutes and I was NEVER like that before.

:{

Cohen <scrappygirl123@...> wrote: