posted on Apr, 23 2008 @ 09:31 PM
Thanks for posting this study. It is very interesting. I am currently undergoing chemotherapy which includes a pretty big dose of 5-FU. I can
definitely attest to having chemo brain. It is a big reason why I lurk so much anymore here on the board and don't post as much as I used to. I am on
the chemo for the last 2 years and will be on it indefinitely due to the fact that I still have cancer in my pelvis. The chemobrain really does suck,
but on the otherhand it has definitely prolonged my life. And while I feel like crap for about a 5 to 7 days after treatment, my quality of life could
be worse.
Just to give an example, they do a standard blood test on me once a month called a CEA level. It can test to see if any tumors are growing, by
checking the levels of proteins produced by tumors. (I think). Anyhow, before I started chemo my level was over 10, which is extremely high, but
within a month of starting chemotherapy treatments it went down to less than 2, which is well within acceptable ranges. So what I am trying to say is
that while there are some very negative effects such as chemobrain, the drugs have defintiley extended my life.
I have no doubt that drugs like F-5U do cause chemo brain and even worse things like dementia, and I pray that I never experience anything worse than
what I am going through right now. But like I said I consider a well worthwhile tradeoff in my case.
Thanks for posting this thread, it is very interesting.