"Chemo Brain"
Tips for coping with Chemo Brain
Chemo brain refers to the changes in your memory, concentration and the ability to be able to think clearly when having chemotherapy. There are things you can do to help you cope better. There are no established treatments for chemo brain. Research is looking at possible treatments that might help. But there are things you can do to try to improve your symptoms and help you cope.
There's a number of things that you can do that should help you cope better with chemo brain:
- Try to keep your life as simple as possible.
- Avoid trying to do too many things at the same time.
- It might be helpful to write yourself notes and stick them up where you can see them.
- Write lists about what you need to do, things you need to buy and where you have left important things.
- Try to do the most difficult tasks earlier in the day.
- When you are away from home, it might help to carry a notebook to write things down, or put them in your phone.
- Before your appointment, write a list of questions and things you want to talk about.
- Keep a record of your previous hospital appointments and planned appointments.
- You could ask if you can record conversations with your doctor if you think this might help.
- When arranging to meet someone or organising an event, it may be helpful to write the details down and tell someone else.
- Try to talk to people somewhere quiet with few distractions.
- You could keep a calendar on your wall or use the calendar on your phone.
- Try to follow a healthy diet.
- Aim to get a good night's sleep and rest in the day when you need to – try to avoid becoming over tired.Keeping your mind active may help – for example, doing crosswords, sudoku and puzzles.
- Try to exercise each day if possible, this can help you to sleep and lift your mood.
- Keeping your mind active may help – for example, doing crosswords, sudoku and puzzles.
