[pam7320]

Okay, as if having ADHD is not enough, a few years ago I had chemotherapy and so now I'm dealing with chemo brain. It's a double whammy to my brain. It's like my ADHD has quadrupled.

I forget what I'm saying in the middle of sentences and cannot for the life of me remember it again. I forget thoughts in mid-thought and they're gone forever. I prefer to communicate in writing because I can take my time to get the ideas out. I think I must sound like an idiot when I talk because I'm always tripping over my words and forgetting what I'm saying.

I am constantly losing things (and have a bad habit of blaming other people). I'll put something down and five seconds later (literally!) I can't find it. This happens dozens of times a day.

My ability to read has taken a nosedive. Sometimes I can't concentrate to finish a single sentence. If someone gives me a news article to read, I usually ask them to just give me the gist of it because I get overwhelmed when I see a big pile of paragraphs.

I constantly make people repeat things to me because I drift off after they say the first few words. I don't remember anything friends have told me, and I tend to tell the same stories over and over because I forget that I already told them. And I'm always interrupting people because (1) I haven't been listening and (2) wait, I just forgot what #2 was. @#$%&!

Oh, okay. #2 is that I know if I don't blurt out my thought, I'll lose it forever. (I swear I really did just forget #2 as I was typing it!)

It's like ADHD gone wild!

I have read posts by people with ADHD and posts by people who are dealing with chemo brain, but I have never read anything written by someone who is dealing with both of them at the same time.

I am afraid that people think I am using ADHD and chemo brain as an excuse to be rude and self-centered, but that is so far from the truth. I hate being like this!

What I'd give to be able to sit down and spend an hour or two reading a good novel. I'm at the point where I record TV shows so I can watch them in little installments. Whenever I try to watch a movie with my boyfriend, I wind up falling asleep after about 15 minutes, even though I'm not tired at all.

Oh, and I also have high blood pressure, so I'm afraid to take my Adderall (which does help a little bit).

Can anyone relate to this?

Yes Pam

I haven't done chemo . But my brain works just like your does now .

having adhd AND having to do chemo is not fair!

I'M sorry you had to do it . I was diagnosised with cancer five months ago.
heres a Huge hug for you !

(magnified by 100)

I know a man who has tried to get diagnosised for ADHD and the doctor said that it was from chemo he had TEN years ago. even though he had symptoms as a child that did not get caught.

(editied out what I think about doctors)

I Googled adhd and chemo brain about four months ago while I was reserching and found some forgiving understanding doctors give patients , it also helped with fatigue.from chemo.

Focasin

(I think is how it is spelled) . Google that and you should find the correct spelling.

for every doc who prescribes it there are those who fight against it .

The blurting out is accrurate .

writting is the way I can communicate .the best , but even when I write I get

from people



How long has it been since your chemo?
I hope you are doing well!

I can;t get help for my adhd due to one doctor wher I could get help.. I can;t afford privat practice and have no isurane , theres only one place left in our city providing help. due to budget cuts.

Its one of the reasons I will not do chemo.

why would I ? if I can;t get help now I certainly will not get help after chemo.








Patricia

[pam7320]

Oh, auroralso, I'm so sorry you were diagnosed with cancer. Lots of hugs back.

There must be some way you can get the treatment you need for cancer. Go to the American Cancer Society's page. They have info on financial assistance. Maybe they have some good advice.

But please try to get treatment for the cancer. Are you sure you really need chemo? Some people only need radiation.

I am cancer-free for over two years (fingers crossed that it stays this way).

I know what you mean about ADHD treatment. My insurance company has put up such a fight with my doctor. I can't believe a doctor has to fight to get treatment for his patient.

[beautifulmadness]

Auroralso.. I am so sorry for your diagnosis of cancer. I was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma 13 years ago and given a 10% chance of living from that Sept til New Years. I had chemo and radiation and lots of love and prayers. The American Cancer Society is a good resource as Pam suggested. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Pam..Wow.. reading your post was like reading my own story. I find it all quite frustrating myself. I had honestly never heard the term chemo-brain before your post, so I thank you for that. A previous pdoc I had some years ago suggested to me when I couldn't read due to lack of retention and concentration , to listen to audio books. It helped tremendously and I am now reading like I used to. Maybe this would help you also.
((((((hugs)))))) to you both!!

---there's always hope---
~beautiful madness~

Originally Posted by pam7320

There must be some way you can get the treatment you need for cancer. Go to the American Cancer Society's page. They have info on financial assistance. Maybe they have some good advice.

But please try to get treatment for the cancer. Are you sure you really need chemo? Some people only need radiation.

.

Hi Pam,

its not the cancer I can't get treatment for . its the ADHD which I have ben struggling with and seeing a therapist who is trying to help me get into s psychiatrist for testing.

this was six months prior to my diagnosis.

the american cancer society caot help me with this.

My point is If I already have Chemo brain now

Id be unfunctional WITH the addition of what chemo does to the brain .
and still not beable to get help.

this is a daily batlle that has me worn down.

I have drawn my last card and hope the department of rehabilitative services wil help me get more testing and me,

I have also contated legal aid about my situation.

Im worn down

so frustarted and angry and deoressed


take care

Patricia

[pam7320]

Patricia, it makes me so sad to read your post. Do you have any support groups in your area? I know soooooo much how it feels to not have anyone helping me. I found a group that I went to several times when I was feeling really low and it actually did help me emotionally, but I just didn't go often enough and let the depression about everything wear me down.

I'm still pretty depressed. I feel like I've been slammed with one thing after another for the past few years.

As for the ADHD, my insurance company has now started putting up a fight about giving me the meds based on my age! I can't afford them without insurance. I haven't changed prescriptions or insurance companies. I guess they don't think adults have ADHD.

Beautiful Madness, if you google "chemo brain," you'll find tons of info. For example: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/co...Chemobrain.asp