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Home » Anderson Network » Chemobrain- July 31- August 4, 2006 » Chemobrain and MCI diagnosis
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Anonymous
Subject:Chemobrain and MCI diagnosis

My wife, age 75, was diagnosed with MCI 2 weeks ago and was prescribed Arecept She had undergone chemo and radiation for lung cancer and, at our last visit to her oncologist in March, she was declared cancer-free (except for the thyroid cancer which we don’t worry about). Radiation terminated the end of 2004 and chemo terminated about March 2005.

Primary symptom is short-term memory loss which does NOT include not recognizing people or forgetting names. Prime example was that on the day following the neurologist appointment, she didn't remember having been examined.

We have made arrangements to have her evaluated by the Director of the Center for Aging at the University of Miami.

 

Questions

What percentage of patients develop MCI as a result of chemo?

Is chemobrain reversible? Does it become progressively worse or does it level off?

Possible alternative treatments to restore, or maybe just improve, cognitive ability and memory?

 

Posted: 02 Aug 2006 08:58 AM
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Ann

Ann

Total Messages 63
Subject:Chemobrain and MCI diagnosis

It is unknown the percentage of patients who develop MCI as a result of chemotherapy - and it is often difficult to tell if it is due to treatment, it is a co-existing problem, or chemo actually accelerated a co-existing problem. Chemobrain itself does not usually get worse, and MCI often does. There are lots of treatments to help including Aricept, other medications used for memory loss such as Namenda, and compensatory strategies (e.g., using a memory notebook, having a dry erase board in a prominent place to put down what is happening on the day, etc.). Correction of underlying medical problems is also helpful (e.g., low thyroid, borderline anemia). Having her evaluated by the Director for the Center on Aging is an excellent place to start.

Christina Meyers, Ph.D.

Posted: 03 Aug 2006 03:00 PM
Originally Posted: 03 Aug 2006 03:01 PM
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