shineladysue Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Thank you everyone for your wonderful words of support and love on our "Good News" post, but as many of you know things can change rapidly around here. Had a little bit of a change since the good news post. Mike has had a set back.. He has had an upset stomach and mental confusion. The doc ordered a brain CT scan which was done on June9th. We don't have the results yet and probably won't until Tuesday, June 14th. This is so very puzzling. Mike was fine one day and totally confused the next. He went from writing detailed emails to not knowing how to write email. He has been very disoriented and confused and it seemed to literally happen over night. He was put on two new medications and two others were increased in the same time frame. Keeping all this in mind, I'm still wondering does this kind of behavior match up with anything that has happened to any of you that have or have had brain mets? Thanks for your input. I've hestitated to post, but I'm so upset and I just need to know one way or another what is going on. What is so very upsetting is that he acts strong, his cancer showed stable and his breathing is much much better. This has just blind-sided us.. Thank you ahead of time for your input. Love and Prayers for everyone, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 I wish I could help you but I don't know what to tell you. Here's hoping that it turns out to be one of the new medicines and that you can find a replacment soon. I keep you in my prayers. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 12, 2005 Author Share Posted June 12, 2005 I should have added that he was given a medication called Famvir to get rid of shingles. We think it may have been a part of the problem. He has been off of it a couple days and seems somewhat better.. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Sue, I had the confusion without brain mets. I work in an office setting and the FINAL thing that pointed out that things were screwy was when my phone rang and I couldn't remember how the heck to answer it! (Yeah, just pick up the handset, I know that now...) I had been having problems with getting up and going to the kitchen and not remembering why I was there - I'd then sit down again in the living room and later look back at the kitchen and wonder who the heck left all the cupboards open! Yeah, I opened 'em and forgot to close 'em, along with not knowing what the heck I was looking for! I was getting lost while driving. Saving grace there was that my husband and I carpool, or I'd have truly been lost. I lost my train of thought while speaking, heck, I lost it while THINKING. I couldn't do simple tasks...unless they were simple math - but I've always been good at math... My family doctor sent me for a brain MRI to rule out brain mets and then sent me to a specialist, a neuropsychologist. He assessed me as having white cell damage. His explanation was beyond "chemo brain" - he said that cancer is like having a toxic waste dump in your body and that the wastes produced by those cells ALSO circle around in the blood stream, sometimes messing up the white matter in the brain. The white matter is the stuff that makes the gray matter work. White matter connects the gray stuff and CAN regenerate. No actual "brain damage", just some screwed up passage ways. I can now answer my phone (a year later) and don't get lost as much. I still can lose thoughts easily while speaking (embarassing as all get out) and have some other issues, but all in all, I'm not complaining that much, it sure beats the alternatives! Here's hoping it's just "brain farts"! Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 12, 2005 Author Share Posted June 12, 2005 Becky, I'm headed for bed now . I hope God will understand when I pray for "brain farts". Thanks, you have given me some hope to rest my fears on tonight. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Keeping Mike in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 I'm sure God will understand your prayer for "brain farts". I'll second it. Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 And I'll third the prayer for cranial flatulence. That must be so scary for you, and so hard coming on the heels of your good news. Praying for you guys, and as always, we're here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 12, 2005 Author Share Posted June 12, 2005 Mike is still disoriented.. Called the pharmacist at our drug store this am and asked her to review Mike's meds with me for compatability and we discussed the problems.. She said without hesitation it was the Famvir... the drug he was on for shingles. It causes hallucinations and it may take several days to get out of his system.. copied this from the internet http://www.alldaychemist.com/newpages/Famvir.htm Possible Famvir side effects Famvir SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or tiredness. If these Famvir effects continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY about taking Famvir if you experience hallucinations, disorientation, or confusion. If you notice other Famvir effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. We will know the results of the scan on Tuesday am if not tomorrow, but in the meantime he is very disoriented. I just want to share this with all of you in case you have a similar problem . Take care. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Sue, sending our love and support. Just know that we care and are there with you in spirit and praer. Love Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Hoping the problems are from the meds...meds can be discontinued or changed. Fingers crossed and sending prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 My fingers are crossed that its the med's or brain farts and nothing more. God bless, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Since everything seems to be in order, then it probably is the meds. Hang in there, hopefully you will see a change in him soon. Keep us posted. I know this is very scary for you. Lets wait and see if it is the meds or not. Don't jump to any other conclusions right now. Meditation prayers sent to you both. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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