It's been 5 years since my radiation and I still have memory problems. Same as those described. The one thing that bothers me is when people say, "oh you are forgetful because you are older; it's a normal part of aging." I am middle aged. NO it is not normal in middle age to forget a movie you saw the day before, or a book you read the day or week before. It is not normal to draw a blank and have to go and look up your only child's birthday when filling out a school form, or to draw a blank and have to calculate in your head how old you are. I think our cognitive problems stem from the fact that our brain is too busy trying to keep us balanced and upright when 1/2 of what it takes to do so is impaired, to hear with one ear and tinnitus ringing in our head, to see when one eye is ticking, watering or impaired, etc. But you learn to cope. I take notes on everything, make copious to do lists, etc. I find I remember more if I read lying down. The brain is not straining so much to keep the head and upper body upright. Many of us will not be the same as we were before the AN, but that doesn't mean we can't cope and even enjoy life. You are not alone. I think many of us have the same cognitive problems. The Mayo Clinic is now doing a 10 year study on quality of life for AN patients, including cognitive problems. I'm in the study. So obviously the issue of memory problems is slowly being recognized as an issue for AN patients. Previously neurologists would just brush it off, saying a different part of the brain is affected by AN's than those responsible for memory.
All the best,
D
