Hi everyone,
I finished chemo in January, had 2 surgeries since then, and will start radiotherapy in a few weeks. Since beginning chemotherapy, I have really been suffering from chemo-brain, which is making me frustrated and anxious (especially since I started back to work part-time last week). I thought that it would be better by now, but I am still having trouble focusing, understanding what I read, remembering things, following conversations, and finding words.
I know that recommendations to deal with it include good nutrition, meditation, sleep, exercise (not easy when self-isolating), and brain games. I downloaded the app "Elevate" which has been great - I really recommend it for fun little games that exercise your brain.
Does anyone have any other suggestions that worked for them? I'm a bit desperate to get my brain back up and running!
Big hugs!
PS. I've read that some people have tried ADHD medication (like ritalin) to counteract chemo-brain, has anyone in this group tried it? I"m not sure if GP's in the UK will prescribe it for this.
Hi
Warm welcome to the breast group, even if we would prefer to see not so many knocking on this door :-/
Oh! Chemo Brain - You have described it perfectly....
So many here will probably reply to your message if they can recall the words they want to use 
Everyone finds it a tad funny to start with but as time goes on it can really do your head in (literally) and can cause your confidence to take a knock when you get back to the work environment.
It can take a good 6-12 months for all the good cells that chemo wipes out to renew, but it does get better. Although you can get left with a little chemo brain baggage. The main one is having to stop mid conversation while you find the word you need, if you can't find it; invent one (That's what J my wife does anyway) or your family plays the 'guess the word game'
I think you would be hard pushed to get a GP to prescribe Ritalin, although some in the US find it can help, there is no trial proof and it can come with it's own issues (illegal class B drug for instance)
There is a page at Cancer Research UK (CRUK) listing tips for Coping with Chemo Brain (link) but it is all fairly basic stuff and there isn't a quick fix, it all just takes time.
Sorry this isn't of much help, apart from letting you know it is really common and you won't be on your own with this.
Hugs, G n' J
Says it all really 
