#94562 04-29-2009 12:14 AM | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 28 | Hello again everyone Just a quick question for those who have gone through the IMRT Radaiton therapy - did any of you experience memory loss (either short term or long term memory loss). David seems to be experiencing some memory loss, and was told it's somewhat normal - but the memory should return after treatment is complete. Just wondering if anyone else experienced this, and how long it took for your memory to return. Thanks! -Philly
Mom of 4, wife and caregiver to David, 37 yrs old, diagnosed 12/4/08 SSC T4NXMX Maxillectomy on 1/8/09. 19 out of 30 scheduled rounds of IMRT Radiation Therapy. Cancer free!! (Last checkup 8/09) Next 10/23/09
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | It has happened to me too. My mind is a little fuzzy with details sometimes. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Philly, I have memory loss of no less than 9 months of my life. I am told things that I should remember but how do you remember a blank space and what was in it? I have asked my daughter, my Pastor,My Drs and BarbT and I get the same answer from all of them., Maybe you don't want to know Jim. I hear I was mean and then I hear I was funny. LOL I hope someday. AS for now, like most I go to the kitchen to get something and forget what I went for.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I think my memory has suffered due to the Tx but I assumed it was from the chemo. What we use to say around here to explain that feeling was "chemo brain". I "remember" (play on words) that I felt my memory shaky towards the end of Tx and it just doesn't feel as strong as it once was and I'm now 2 1/2 years post Tx. Sure my age may contribute to it but I just feel it started during Tx.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | David, we sure agree on that . I was fine until treatment began . The bad part is it erased times ago not present.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | My memory is not what it once was that's for sure. I always attributed it to the chemo though. While in tx the cocktail of drugs I was on made me very "spotty" memory wise. Now I definetly have recall issues and I'm a year out of tx.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 | I have not gone through radiation, but have completed 3 cycles of chemo therapy. And I must say that at times I can't seem to remember names and/or words. While I was doing chemo, my memory seemed to be even foggier.
I know this doesn't answer you question, but may be of help to a new patent.
Sandy S.
Sandy 56, BOT SCC Biopsy 1/21/09 Stage 3, T3NXM0. Finished 3 cycle induction chemotherapy 4/7/09. (Chisplatin, 5-fu and Texotere). Re-staged 4/20/09,(very successful.) Will start Carboplatin/radiation 2 Gy/5 days/7 weeks (Tomotherapy) starting May 4th. Finished 6/22/09. OCF member/supporter
| | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 4 Member | Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 4 | I had IMRT and several years later I had my memory checked w/a professional, since I thought I was not very good at remembering things. The tests indicated I was in expected range of memory function for a person my age (57). So age is a factor and frankly my lifestyle didn't help either, so I have to believe that the IMRT had minimal effects - Hope this helps
2002 diagnosed w/Squamous Cell carcinoma in the lymph, lumpectomy, right neck dissection and IMRT radiation. 5 year cancer free
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I just wish parts of my memory would return. I am sure I have things stored in that blank bank that would be nice to know again. This was the period before implants an teeth removal. Ther is a lot of Holidays I know nothing about including Thanksgiving and Christmas fo 2008 and up thru New Years of 2009. THis loss begins somewhere in the summer of 2008. I do faintly remember going to our pumpkin festival but not very much of it at all. Like I said before.. I am Alive Tho and can still make a smile on someones face or can make someone laugh.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 | My husband has some difficulty with memory and organization since his treatment. It's not so much that he forgets people, things, etc. but he misplaces things more often and has more difficulty with organization.
Sophie T.
CG to husband: SCC Stage 4, T4, N1, M0; non-smoker and very light social drinker; HPV+ induction chemo begun 7/07; chemo/radiation ended 10/10, first cat scan clear; scan on 5/9/08 clear, scan on 10/08 clear; scan 1/09 clear; scan 1/10 clear; passed away July 2, 2016
| | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | I had XRT, no chemo and experienced short term memory problems like being unable to retain a 7 digit phone number from the book to the dial. I dial the first three and then had to look back for the last 4. Annoying for someone who had the memory of an elephant. RO still says radiation does not cause memory loss but I'm not so certain. Problem magically went away 7 years after radiation.
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I believe it not only affects the normal type of memory we think about, like names and numbers but I also experienced a "memory loss" when walking down a flight of stairs in my house as sometimes I felt as if I was about to miss a step. Normally our memory helps us when walking up or down stairs as we are conditioned to take exact steps since all risers are build to the same code for height.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | David I still have that problem with steps. I'm glad you made this post because it encourages me that I am normal . LOL I was putting mulch around rose bushes I planted yesterday and that feeling ht me again . It can be strange at times , but no stranger than me. LOL
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Read an article that said as we get older, we should NOT be looking down at the steps because it may cause us to lose balance.
Age 67 1/2 Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05 Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08 Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08 Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06 Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08) Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08) On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Pete, that may be true for "normal" old people but when that feeling hits me (like I'm going to miss a step) I have to look down or I will go down.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | JUst what is consideed getting old?? I'm not getrting old yet and I am 73 . THey mustg have meanty when we hit 100 we better start being careful and make sure we don't get any female pregnant. LOL
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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