has anyone experienced decreased mental functions ?

I'm not sure but I think I'm experiencing a decreased mental function after treatments . I'm 10 months out of chemo and radiation treatments for throat cancer . I'm noticing subtle mental changes . I've convincing myself it was nerves but I can't continue to lie to myself . Going to see the doc next week . Anyway has anyone else experienced something like this . All the sudden it's like I'm dyslectic ( thank goodness for spellcheck ) I'm getting 2's and 5's mixed up . Dialing numbers on the phone requires a concouis effort . Simple words like effort come from me like effert , insight came out insite the other day . Simple spellings are coming out different . It's frustating . The other day at the dentist I got so mad and frustated that when I got in my car to drive the 40 miles south home I lost concentration and ended up in a different town north of home . My mind went somewhere . I calmed down and ate a bite and then drove home . When I got home I was wore out . Took a nap for about 3 hours and when I woke ( typed woak ) up I felt like I had a bad hang over effect and kept that for the rest of the evening . Anyway has anyone else had this happen to them ?

my husband had rad. treatments is doing what your doing. loss of memory, gets mad easy, forgets things. can't read  doesn't comprehend anymore. i am worried. can't drive right. what i want to know is what kind of damage has the radiation done?

everything you guys are saying he is doing the same thing. what can we do ?

Well I'm 54 and I try and have and keep a semi  normal life . What I try and do is live a  type of reserved laid back lifestyle . If something starts to stress me I just  try  and move on and not get " caught up " in the situation . For something that requires long thought and or recall I make a written note or list . Example = Went to the store to get several items and wanted to try and see if I could remember the 8 items we wanted . Forgot one and knew there was one more . Started to get nervously frustrated but calmed myself down . Said to myself your alive walking around a lot without a feeding tube , I.V.bag hanging on the wheelie cart and you don't have a catheter so your doing good , enjoy life . After I calmed down about several minutes later before I left the store I remembered * A DOZEN EGGS * I was so happy you would have thought I did something major . Frustration seems to trigger an alzheimers effect / reaction on me . My family doesn't understand and sometimes I think they think I'm doing it for attention , but I'm not . Not getting a lot of sleep or poor diet seems to cause adverse effects too . So I live a type of semi sheltered life but that is what is working for me . But writing things down helps . Church and building my faith seem to lessen the stresses also . Hang in there !

My husband has definitely changed since treatment (he is two years out and 65).    It is very frustrating to him but we just keep talking about how blessed we are that he is cancer free and leading a "normal"  (whatever that is) life.    I certainly would not let him make major decisions and he spends money like it grows on trees so I have set him up an account - I monitor it.   He is a precious man and I still love and adore him but this disease and/or treatment has changed him.   He is not nearly as cognitively smart as he was.   It is a daily challenge.   My best friend's husband had a stroke and she faces the same things.   It has been a role reversal for us.   Onward we go - breathing and living each day to the fullest.  Hugs and prayers!

I've been done with chemo and radiation treatments since October 2010.  I notice that I seem to have a "lapse" in my thinking and seems to take me longer to comprehend before I speak.  Sometimes I feel "fuzzy brained"!!  It is subtle mental changes, but they don't feel very subtle at the time it's happening........I've had just about everything happen that has been mentioned, especially the driving and "where am I" feeling......  It is frustrating, but I keep hoping it is temporary like a lot of the side effects I experienced during this long year of treatments.  We all should "give ourselves a break" and lol 'cause we've been through bunches of things that would'nt normally happen!!  Good luck, lots of rest.  Sher

I have definitely experienced this. Had horrible chemo brain  but it is gradually getting better. My last chemo was 1.5 years ago and I still have some of the brain fog. Things I notice are forgetting words or being able to speak them. I think one word and a different one comes out of my mouth. I can NOT multi-task any longer and I used to be good at it. I have to concentrate on the one thing at hand and get it done. I tried to go back to school a couple of months ago (I lost my job during my treatments) and dropped out the first week because I could not remember anything from one minute to the next and the stress started to make my hair fall out.

I have been told to play memory games, which I did do on the computer. I really think it helped somewhat. Invest in sticky notes and white boards. I still have to write everything down or it does not get done.

I GOT IT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHUT?????????????

I have witnessed 35 year old men and women be just as goofy.  We just pay more attention to it and let it bother us.  At least we got an excuse! 

Yes, i type with caplock on and mispell werds just to irritate the cyber police.

Slowlane