Dementia During Chemo

Tropheus

Hi,


My 73 y.o. mother has had separate bouts of Chemotherapy for bowel cancer and latterly secondary lung cancer over the last 18 months. Throughout the treatment, we've noticed that she has progressively shown symptoms of dementia which has got significantly worse over the last month to the point where she has become completely confused to the point where she doesn't recognise my Dad and treats him as a stranger.

She also feels that, although at home, she's in a strange environment and is constantly asking to be taken home. As you can appreciate, this is very distressing for her and my family.



We're waiting for her to see a Geriatrician to get a definitive diagnosis as the doctors treating her cancer don't feel it's related. However, it's hard to believe that there is no connection.


Has anyone else had a relative who has had a similar reaction to Chemo?

SILVAMAN

Something similar happened to my father towards the end of his chemo- didn't recognize us, behaved like a little boy, even keeled backwards slamming his head off the floor, grimacing in pain for 1/2 a minute then seeming to have no pain. Very disconcerting at the time-it was quite sudden and was diagnosed as viral encephalitis, which we think was due to a compromised immune system from his treatment. Very difficult and distressing situation to deal with for all concerned. Hope you get a prompt diagnosis.