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Karen_101's avatar
Karen_101
Member
2 years ago

Cognitive Impairment years after treatment

Hi
 I am 16 years after treatment, Left Mastectomy, Dose Dense Chemotherapy and Radiation treatment and Menopause at 44 years following treatment. I am very grateful to still be alive.
However, have experienced ongoing memory loss and difficulty with work since then and am now at a point that I feel I can't work due to these problems. 

My doctor has recommended I have a Neuro Psychology assessment to test for impairments.

Has anyone else had this assessment ? 
Also I am looking into claiming on my super TPD depending upon the outcome of the 
assessment.

Are there any other ladies in this sit
  • I am 5 years on from finishing active treatment & my brain has been addled ever since .... and I didn't even have chemo to blame!   Has your family/workplace noticed you repeating the same thing/question numerous times a day?  This is often one of the first indications of a problem ...

    I think in this day & age, with so much going on (in our heads and around us) that there can be many reasons for memory loss/confusion and it is quite common to do funny things (eg putting something in the fridge instead of the microwave - but realising & putting it where it should) - so long as it doesn't become a regular event! .... So it is a good idea to get checked out by a professional, as suggested by your GP -  probably same time next year too, to compare the charts. 

    My husband (twin brother & older brother) all had dementia & in the early days, he was assessed as being mild alzheimers - which (luckily for us) was a very slow progression - he really only got to moderate - the neuro psychology assessment will most likely just be a set of questions that they will ask each time you get assessed (same questions) and they grade you on the number of correct answers.  It will involve asking you to remember a few items early on, then later in the assessment they ask you to repeat those items .... possibly drawing things as well, like the time on a clock face & other stuff ....  

    There are a couple of meds available that 'slows down' memory loss progression (so long as you don't have any heart issues - which sadly, my hubby couldn't take as he'd been diagnosed with an irregular heart beat.)  :(   Ask them about that too. 

    Aricept was the only one mentioned at the time ... but there are others now ...
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/treatment/

    take care & all the best xx
  • Hi 
    Thanks so much for the reply and the recommendation about the book it looks really good and informative.
    Karen
  • I very sorry for your problems now.
    I am only 3 years from diagnosis, so I'm not much help.
    Are these symptoms new, or gradual ever since Chemo etc.
    I wish you all the best. At worst (not sure what the correct word should be) I hope that you are successful with  TPD claim.