Shop Plans
Health
Find a Health Plan
We offer a complete choice of plans to meet your coverage needs and fit your budget.
More Plans
Travel
Cancer
VIP
Dental
Get a Dental Plan
We offer three Traditional plans and three Certified plans to meet your needs.
Medicare
Pick a Medicare Plan
Thinking about your Medicare options? Find out which plan is right for you.
Find Doctor or Drug
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor or Drug
Pick a directory to search or find other helpful information about drug resources, quality programs and more.
Directories
Louisiana Provider Directory
Quality Blue Directory
National Provider Directory
BlueDental Advantage Plus Directory
Davis Vision Directory
Hospital Based Physicians
ER/OR Information
Are you planning a hospital stay? If you just found out that you need surgery, or if you will be admitted to a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for any reason, you will most likely receive some care during your stay from a hospital-based physician. Learn more.
Other Directories
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core
Federal Employee Program (FEP)
Rx Drug Resources
Manage your medicine, find drug lists and learn how to save money.
Quality Programs
Quality Blue Programs
We work with doctors, hospitals and clinics around Louisiana to make sure you have a better healthcare experience.
Save Money
$25 Gym Memberships
Find a Gym
For just $25 a month and a $25 enrollment fee, you'll have access to 9,000 participating fitness locations around the state and nation.
More Money-Saving Tips
Find Discounts
Lower Drug Costs
Preventive Care Services
Primary Care Doctor
Pick a Primary Care Doctor
Picking a primary care doctor is an important step to staying healthy and saving money.
Choose the Right Care
Where you and go and who you see for treatment is a big part of getting quality healthcare while saving money.
Wellness
Discounts
Get discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating, prescriptions and more.
More Wellness Tips
Tools
Member Programs
Find a Program
Whether you want to quit smoking or find the right doctor, we have many programs to help.
Wellness Library
Learn About Wellness
Read articles, take quizzes, watch videos and listen to podcasts about many health topics.
Learn
Insurance 101
Learn the Basics
Understand your plan, learn about health savings accounts, and watch helpful videos.
Social
Find Us on Social Media
Join the conversation and stay connected with us for exclusive content.
Straight Talk
Get Straight Answers
If you're looking for a straight answer to your healthcare questions, this is the place.
My Account
My Account Information
Claims
Benefits
Costs
Statements
Pharmacy
Manage Account
Manage Your Account
Pay your bill, view your statements or update your email or password.
Forms
Other Coverage Questionnaire
Authorized Delegate
Health Assessment
Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of strong medicines to kill cancer cells. Some people find that these powerful medicines make them not able to think clearly or have a "fuzzy memory." If you've noticed this, it's not all in your head. It's real, something that people with cancer often call "chemobrain" or "chemo fog."
Many chemo side effects are well-known. They include severe tiredness (fatigue), nausea and vomiting, and hair loss. A common side effect that may be less well known is a decline in mental function. This includes thinking, attention, memory, language skills, and concentration. It's not clear how or why chemo may affect these skills. Some researchers believe that the medicines may directly affect the parts of the brain that control these functions.
A lot of research is being done on chemobrain. Doctors are trying to figure out exactly what causes it and what may be done to prevent or treat it. Some studies have shown that people have reported symptoms of chemobrain before even starting treatment. Still others report it even though they have never had chemotherapy. Or they notice the problems when they are getting radiation or hormone treatments for cancer. And in some cases the symptoms continue for a long time after treatment ends. This information helps doctors learn more about this problem and possible treatments.
The impact of chemobrain varies for each person. A loss of memory or focus can be more disabling for some people than others, depending on their lifestyle and daily use of these functions. For instance, if a busy person has a million things to do every day and has these subtle changes, it might cause more problems. Many times, other people don't even notice the changes. But they still can be very upsetting to the person having them.
Until more is known, here are some tips to help you cope with chemobrain:
Limit distractions. When you need to focus on a task, such as paying the bills or cooking dinner, do so in a calm, quiet environment. Limit background noise from the TV or music. Try to not answer the phone until you're done. Don't multi-task.
Practice difficult tasks. If you need to tackle a complex task, you may want to practice it until it becomes very familiar.
Check in with your brain. If you feel spaced-out or your mind wanders, try asking yourself every few moments, "What am I doing right now?" or "What am I thinking about?" This helps keep you from drifting and helps you refocus.
Write it down. Keep a journal and a daily planner. Use to-do lists and post reminders for yourself.
Get organized. Have a specific place for things in the house and office and put things in the same place each time you use them. This can keep you from having to look for them.
Pump up your mind. Exercise your mind like a muscle. Try crossword puzzles, play sports with your kids, or do any fun thing that keeps you engaged and stimulated. This can also help prevent or control depression, fatigue, and stress.
Manage stress and get enough sleep and physical activity. High levels of stress hormones decrease mental sharpness, as does a lack of exercise and rest.
Use mnemonics. These are devices such as little phrases or catchy songs that help people remember things. For instance, you might use the phrase "black-eyed Susan" to remember the name of that new coworker with dark eyes.
Eat well. Try to make fruits and vegetables a big part of your diet. The vitamins and antioxidants in them are good for your brain cells. And they're good for the rest of your body, too.
Most important, ask for help. Look to your family and friends, or a healthcare provider. Let your family know that you're having a hard time focusing and may need help or reminders with certain tasks. If you have serious concerns about your memory or focus, talk with your cancer doctor. You may be referred to a neuropsychologist. This is a psychologist who specializes in studying the relationship between the brain and behavior. They may be able to give you more personalized advice.