Anal Cancer and Radiation

luckieslady
luckieslady Member Posts: 34

Hello my name is Cynthia and I am new here..hello everyone! I was diagnosed with Stage II Anal Cancer in Feb,2013.I went through Rad/Chemo and about a month after the treatments were over I began to hurt in my hips really bad and as time progressed so does the pain that has ventured into my inner thighs..I called my family doctor made an appointment she gave me Mobic-no good.. I talked to my radiologist about it on my check up they said they never heard of it.. talked to my oncologist about it they never heard of anything and no one seemed interested..so I thought ok this will go away but it hasnt and it is effecting everything from the way I walk where I walk how far I walk ,my sleep,sitting standing everything..I callled Oncologist after looking on this sight and researching this myself and found that others are effected like this as well..So I called radiologist yet again yesterday and they called me back today and they are ordering an MRI and CT Scan..has anyone else experienced this pain and if you had an MRI and CT Scan what did yours show? I dont think it is cancer at all I think it is the radiation damage but what kind of damage?

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    luckieslady

    I'm sorry you have a reason to be here and I hope that, other than the problems you mentioned in your post, you are doing well.  I have hip pain off and on, but have never had the pain in the inner thighs that you describe, unless I try to stretch too much.  I do not have the hip abduction or adduction that I used to have and sometimes when I move my legs in those motions, I can elicit pain, which I believe is totally muscular and nothing serious.  If yours is an aching pain that does not come on with activity or never goes away, then it's good that you are getting checked out.  Anyone that has pain in their bones after this treatment definitely needs further evaluation, but yours doesn't sound like bone pain, am I correct? 

    Radiation, IMO, can cause all kinds of problems post-treatment.  However, I think a lot of doctors dismiss these complaints and do not think they are in any way related.  I don't see how that can be, since so many people posting on this board and others who have been treated for AC with radiation have similar problems.

    I hope you can get some answers and that it's nothing serious.  Please let us know. 

  • geneviasue
    geneviasue Member Posts: 89
    Hip Pain

    Hello,

    Thought I would share that I went through female physical therapy after my radiation and almost had to quit because of my hip pain. My therapist suggested I have my Vitamin D checked. I did, it was low and not even bad low either. I got a prescription for 50000 iu per week for 8 weeks. After the first week, I was almost back to normal and improved every week since. I take 2000 iu per week now as maintenance and I have little to no hip pain now. No more than any 47 year old. Hope this helps.

    I finished treatment in Dec 2012 btw.

    Many blessings to you,

    GiGi

     

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118

    Hip Pain

    Hello,

    Thought I would share that I went through female physical therapy after my radiation and almost had to quit because of my hip pain. My therapist suggested I have my Vitamin D checked. I did, it was low and not even bad low either. I got a prescription for 50000 iu per week for 8 weeks. After the first week, I was almost back to normal and improved every week since. I take 2000 iu per week now as maintenance and I have little to no hip pain now. No more than any 47 year old. Hope this helps.

    I finished treatment in Dec 2012 btw.

    Many blessings to you,

    GiGi

     

    Gigi
    Great to hear that you are doing so well! God is good! Thanks for sharing that info re. Vitamin D. Mine has been very low since treatment. Are those doses per week? How much per day?
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    Hip pain...
    Yes, I have hip pain in my right hip, since treatment. I have a hard time sitting for long periods. My oncologist told me there is no relation. Hmmmmm.
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559

    Hip Pain

    Hello,

    Thought I would share that I went through female physical therapy after my radiation and almost had to quit because of my hip pain. My therapist suggested I have my Vitamin D checked. I did, it was low and not even bad low either. I got a prescription for 50000 iu per week for 8 weeks. After the first week, I was almost back to normal and improved every week since. I take 2000 iu per week now as maintenance and I have little to no hip pain now. No more than any 47 year old. Hope this helps.

    I finished treatment in Dec 2012 btw.

    Many blessings to you,

    GiGi

     

    Thanks GiGi

    Thanks GiGi - I have hip/thigh pain too, especially when walking more than about 250 feet. Everything cramps up terribly. Never had any problem prior to treatment and a 2 month hospital stay due to side effects. I know I don't get enough Vitamin D anyway so I think I'll start taking some.

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    Dear Friend,

    Even though I have rectal cancer, but I went throught the same treatment as you. I believe both radiation and chemo can cause all kinds of aches. My whole pelvic area is sore, sometimes even the touch of underwear bothers me. Some say radiation can cause degeneration in the hip joint, but I don't know about that. 

    Have it checked out to make sure it's not swollen lymph nodes. Otherwise I think aches and pains are common.

    Laz

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    Cynthia -

    I had a lot of tightness in the hip & thigh area shortly after treatment.  (I finished chemo/rad. in March 2013.)  I would not call it pain so much as tightness or muscle soreness.  I never ask the doctors about it, I just decided to get back in to exercising by taking a yoga class.  I take a gentle yoga class once a week.  The focus is on stretching and relaxation.  I noticed a difference after just 1 or 2 classes and have gradually come to the point where I no longer have the stiffness & tightness (unless I miss a class for a week or 2).  Two months after finishing radiation,  I had a pevlic/abdominal MRI as part of follow-up monitoring.  The MRI noted myositis (muscle inflammation) in the pelvis which according to the report "are expected changes following recent radiation therapy." From what I've seen from this site and personal experience is there are many after-affects that no one told us about.  Good Luck!

  • luckieslady
    luckieslady Member Posts: 34
    mp327 said:

    luckieslady

    I'm sorry you have a reason to be here and I hope that, other than the problems you mentioned in your post, you are doing well.  I have hip pain off and on, but have never had the pain in the inner thighs that you describe, unless I try to stretch too much.  I do not have the hip abduction or adduction that I used to have and sometimes when I move my legs in those motions, I can elicit pain, which I believe is totally muscular and nothing serious.  If yours is an aching pain that does not come on with activity or never goes away, then it's good that you are getting checked out.  Anyone that has pain in their bones after this treatment definitely needs further evaluation, but yours doesn't sound like bone pain, am I correct? 

    Radiation, IMO, can cause all kinds of problems post-treatment.  However, I think a lot of doctors dismiss these complaints and do not think they are in any way related.  I don't see how that can be, since so many people posting on this board and others who have been treated for AC with radiation have similar problems.

    I hope you can get some answers and that it's nothing serious.  Please let us know. 

    Doing well...

    Other than what I have mentioned I am doing well thank you.. you mention the pain you have upon movement being muscular ,sometimes when I walk I can feel the tightness of the muscle but in the back part of my hips it seems deeper than that..maybe and hopefully it is just muscle tightness.What drives me CRAZY is that when I talked to the doctors they said hmm they have never heard of it but they seemed to not want to research it until yesterday.. I dont think it is anything serious but it does effect my life..even as I sleep .. I toss and turn because the pain in my hips it is deep and wakes me up..Thank you for responding to me I hope to find some answers and I will definitly let you all know!

  • luckieslady
    luckieslady Member Posts: 34

    Hip Pain

    Hello,

    Thought I would share that I went through female physical therapy after my radiation and almost had to quit because of my hip pain. My therapist suggested I have my Vitamin D checked. I did, it was low and not even bad low either. I got a prescription for 50000 iu per week for 8 weeks. After the first week, I was almost back to normal and improved every week since. I take 2000 iu per week now as maintenance and I have little to no hip pain now. No more than any 47 year old. Hope this helps.

    I finished treatment in Dec 2012 btw.

    Many blessings to you,

    GiGi

     

    GiGi

    Thank you so much for responding to me! I am so greatful that I reached out here..thank you for your story I will definilty get myself some Vitamin D and begin taking it.. I am being scheduled for an MRI and CT Scan..I dont think it is anything serious but it does effect my life and my sleep I wake up through the night from laying on my hips and the pain will wake me during the night.. I hope I can find some relief soon and as others have mentioned I think I will find a Yoga class I do some stretching and I am a very active person I just guess I dont stretch enough..

  • luckieslady
    luckieslady Member Posts: 34
    Marynb said:

    Hip pain...
    Yes, I have hip pain in my right hip, since treatment. I have a hard time sitting for long periods. My oncologist told me there is no relation. Hmmmmm.

    No relation

    Good morning.. I have talked to three of my doctors and each one has told me they have not heard this before until I called the Radiologist office and talked to them telling them I just want a doctor to research this with me as I have researched this .This is effecting my life and sleep.. So I am being scheduled for an MRI and CT Scan I will let you know how it goes.. Thank you for responding to me Iknow that I am not alone

  • Clovergirl
    Clovergirl Member Posts: 48
    Hip and Pelvic Pain

    luckieslady,I have hip and pelvic pain most of the time. I even feel crampy and sore at times.  Sometimes worse than others.  My RAD Onc said definitely from treatment.  Very common.  I had 30 radiation treatments and an extended field into the abdomen.  My hips are stiff and my thighs always feel tight.  If I sit too long I'm really stiff when I stand up.  I flip and flop alot at night because I get hip and pelvic discomfort.  Last weekend I went to a football game at my daughter's college. I had to walk REALLY far from where we parked and then WAY up the stands to where out seats were.  The first thing I thought was "Oh, I'm going to pay for this later".  Surprisingly I felt pretty good.  In fact I slept well and felt good the next day.  I think the exercise was good for me.  After last weekend I decided to start lightly back to some of the exercise I used to do such as Zumba, stationary bike, etc... I'm noticing that I feel better when exercising.  I agree with others on here that are saying that movement and exercise help.  My treatment ended in April 2013.  I had many issues after treatment and was hospitalized so my muscles were very weak.  However, I know that my hip and pelvic area are damaged from radiation.  If I'm sitting on the floor (if I can even get down there, lol) I am awkward and slow getting up.  I did have a petscan fairly recently and it was clear, so I pretty much know my problems are side effects from the treatment.  Glad your getting the MRI and CT Scan though. 

  • luckieslady
    luckieslady Member Posts: 34
    lp1964 said:

    Dear Friend,

    Even though I have rectal cancer, but I went throught the same treatment as you. I believe both radiation and chemo can cause all kinds of aches. My whole pelvic area is sore, sometimes even the touch of underwear bothers me. Some say radiation can cause degeneration in the hip joint, but I don't know about that. 

    Have it checked out to make sure it's not swollen lymph nodes. Otherwise I think aches and pains are common.

    Laz

    Hello Laz,

    Laz thank you for responding to me...Yes I believe the two combinations can be damaging.. I am defintily having this checked out I am being scheduled for an MRI and a CT scan.. I will let you know the outcome..I dont think it is anything serious though but just want the doctors to acklowedge it and research it with me.. to make themselves aware of it ..who knows maybe they do.. but atleast I know that I am not alone..does the pain in your hips did it or does it wake you in the night if you are laying on your hips?

  • luckieslady
    luckieslady Member Posts: 34

    Hip and Pelvic Pain

    luckieslady,I have hip and pelvic pain most of the time. I even feel crampy and sore at times.  Sometimes worse than others.  My RAD Onc said definitely from treatment.  Very common.  I had 30 radiation treatments and an extended field into the abdomen.  My hips are stiff and my thighs always feel tight.  If I sit too long I'm really stiff when I stand up.  I flip and flop alot at night because I get hip and pelvic discomfort.  Last weekend I went to a football game at my daughter's college. I had to walk REALLY far from where we parked and then WAY up the stands to where out seats were.  The first thing I thought was "Oh, I'm going to pay for this later".  Surprisingly I felt pretty good.  In fact I slept well and felt good the next day.  I think the exercise was good for me.  After last weekend I decided to start lightly back to some of the exercise I used to do such as Zumba, stationary bike, etc... I'm noticing that I feel better when exercising.  I agree with others on here that are saying that movement and exercise help.  My treatment ended in April 2013.  I had many issues after treatment and was hospitalized so my muscles were very weak.  However, I know that my hip and pelvic area are damaged from radiation.  If I'm sitting on the floor (if I can even get down there, lol) I am awkward and slow getting up.  I did have a petscan fairly recently and it was clear, so I pretty much know my problems are side effects from the treatment.  Glad your getting the MRI and CT Scan though. 

    Clover girl

    Thank you for responding to me.. you sound so much like myself and  I will take into consideration that I need to do more stretching as I do some but I guess maybe not enough.. I am a very active person so I dont have time to exercise but I am on my feet with movement all throughout my days but maybe I need to take time out to exercise .. I will let you know the outcome of the MRI and CT scan ..thank you for responding to me...

  • Test111
    Test111 Member Posts: 21
    Pelvic radiation

    Radiation (5 weeks) and chemo in 2012.  Severe pain in the hips and joints after treatment with resulting stiffness and limited range of motion...pain improves with time.   One month after end of chemo I developed pain in the lower back.  Have since had 5 MRIs.  Multiple sacral factures including the right and left sacral ala.  Fractures have not healed.

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    Test111 said:

    Pelvic radiation

    Radiation (5 weeks) and chemo in 2012.  Severe pain in the hips and joints after treatment with resulting stiffness and limited range of motion...pain improves with time.   One month after end of chemo I developed pain in the lower back.  Have since had 5 MRIs.  Multiple sacral factures including the right and left sacral ala.  Fractures have not healed.

    Yikes

    Test111 I asked my Oncologist for a script for a bone density report and it revealed that I have lower (very lower) back osteroporisis between 1st and fourth vertebrae. Your post concerns me.

    But to all of us I have to say, though that for more than a year after treatment a year and a half at least I sufferred from a lot of aches and pain in my hips (like hot molten lava sometimes) and wild pain in my inner thighs when stretching even a little bit. I did Tai Chi throughout treatment and continued to do it. Tai Chi does not believe in pushing through pain but listening to it and backing off to where it is no more, learning from each movement. This suited me really well. Some days I would do 1.5 hours other days 15 minutes at least five days a week.

    Now Two years from last tx I have been doing kickboxing, zumba, aquarobics, Vinyassa Yoga and now Bikram Yoga 1.5 hour classes which is in a 105 degree heated room. They believe is pushing into the pain within reason. This last exercise discovery is very addictive. I had to give up for now the swimming and any class with music since it almost is always too loud and I only have one ear left which gets inflamed from ear plugs, water and I won't expose my ear to the decibals. I have lymphedema from the cancers and treatments and part of staying on top of it for me is to keep moving, along with doing Manual Lymphatic Drainage on myself and wearing compression garments from toes to chest. But I had to drag my right leg, particularly, and both legs felt terribly heavy and my back hurt moving them. I am in so much better shape now.

    Keep resting and moving and stretching, repeat. I hope this was helpful.

    Next week I am going to a class at MSK for survivors of anal cancer. I will let you know what I found out.

    I have a Rehabilitation Doctor who is a Physiologist at MSK. My Radiation Oncologist did not want to hear of any problems after he saved my life. That's just the way they are. The rehabilitation people have the answers for us. Lymphedema in my Pelvis, I now realize was causing some or most of my pain.

    All the best,

    Sandy

     

     

     

  • geneviasue
    geneviasue Member Posts: 89
    Marynb said:

    Gigi
    Great to hear that you are doing so well! God is good! Thanks for sharing that info re. Vitamin D. Mine has been very low since treatment. Are those doses per week? How much per day?

    Hi Mary

    The 50k was one pill per week. The 2k is daily. Sorry for the mix up on that.

    I have a chest xray today and a CT scheduled for December. My last follow up visit was good. I had one lymph node that was enlarged but could be anything.

    Someone noted in this discussion about stiffness after sitting on the floor. I definitely still have that but did somewhat before treatment. I think treatment causes old age to sit in faster. I still have tender skin in the labia area and still using coconut oil for that. Intimatcy is still a challenge and painful. Hoping that improves..sigh.

    Love to you all..

    Gigi