Does anyone know if Radiotherapy affects your memry, was told it does?

Paul

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Paul
My memorys bad enough i proberly would not know
I was not explained the side effects enough they played them down a bit
Interesting to find out
Dave
Dave and Sue

well David, I still get very sore mouth and constant absyesses and my mouth is terribly dry but as long as the big C does not come back will cope.Also have a rubber bottom lip which is swollen in the mornings and I cant even sip coffee with spilling have to go the Mothercare and get me some bibs Paul

Hi Paul. I don't know for sure if radiation affects the memory, but I do know for sure that aging does. How long ago was your radiation, and could it be that the aging process in the meantime is the real culprit?

I suppose it would depend if the area radiated effected the part of your brain that controls memory. There's a little "splash back". I know chemo can trouble your memory. Thats known as "chemo brain" & can effect your concentration, memory etc. This can last for years in some people! I still drift off when people are talking to me Chemo brain? Or perhaps they're just not interesting enough??
& i think one of those pelican bibs is a great idea! I wonder if it'll help me and my numb hands. Often when i go to put food in my mouth my hands have other ideas and it get catapulted (accidently of course) at the person sitting nearest!

Paul
i cant have coffee or tea yet but still do a lot of spitting after drinking
Dry mouth is a knighmare for me loads of sprays and potions even froM America
Maybe trying to many

Michelle
Are you sure its acidental

Dave and Sue

Hello all

Here's more information about "Chemobrain: Cognitive Problems After Chemotherapy."

The only cases reported where radiotherapy has affected memory is when the brain has been irradiated as in the case of brain tumours (meningiomas) and in a case of nasopharygeal cancer. But that does not mean, there isn't a problem for head and neck cancer patients.

There might be a minority who are affected as it is possible for parts of the brain to get caught in the cross-fire. The memory could get affected but since no one is looking for this side-effect and the patient isn't told that some part of the brain was irradiated, no one is concerned!

It would be interesting to find out what the extent of this problem might be.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Eeek! Nasopharyngeal? That's me! typical! *lol* I don't think my memories any different at the mo... But i can't remember what my memory was like before treatment
Seriously though, the article says that it happened several years after treatment. So if in a couple of years my partner asks me wash his smelly socks and i accidently forget i can blame the R/T!
Thanks Dr.Joshi!

Dear Paul,
We were told by our Doctors both GP and r/t that memory loss is a side affect to radiation and chemo. Darrel was pleased to hear that because he thought he was going mad. Of a morning it can take sometime before Darrel is able to have his coffee and if he can't I make him one later in the morning, its funny but his porridge goes down easier then his coffee, stange isn't it??
Tracey

Hi Paul

Either the r/t or chemo has caused memory loss in Tony - he couldn't even remember our address yesterday !

Kathy

Hi Kathy
Sue always goes out with me to make sure i find my way home

Best wishes to you both for your support
DAve and Sue

Well David time to worry is when Susan puts a road map in your lunch box for America! hehe

I just love having Rice everyone around gets a share as I dont know its in my mouth but one thing they cant say im mean I share my food even with strangers Paul

Tracey, i used to have my liquids come out my nose, still do occasionaly. But food never did.
My main issue is with my attention span. It's really poor! If i'm having a conversation my mind switches off & starts wondering. Watching telly its all i can do to watch til the end! It was never like that before chemo! It's like I've got ADHD or something!

Paul
I can never tell till its in my mouth wether its hot till its past my lips if it is ive just got to spit it out no matter were i am my nerve ending must not be there

Michelle

since my treatment i can hardly watch tv and now there is certain programmes i cant watch wierd

Dave and Sue

Would that be programmes like Casualty, ER, Scrubs, doctors...??