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Nerve damage from radiation
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Jan 14, 2006 - 11:49 pm
I am losing the use of my legs due to 'scar tissue' nerve/muscle damage from radiation. Doctor suggests high dosage (500 mg/week) methylprednis treatment. Has anyone ever experienced this? |
Joined: Jan 2006
Tell me your symptoms. I think I am experiencing something. I just attributed it to bone pain from the radiation
Joined: Jan 2006
Started with left leg feeling weak...then gradually developed 'drop foot'...leg became weaker so that can only pick it up off the floor an inch or so...now right leg is starting to do the same thing - really don't feel pain - when sitting can actually forget that I can't walk - when trying to walk hips/legs hurt - off balance - this all came about over a year after treatment
Joined: Aug 2009
Hi LynnMG
My symptoms are pretty much like yours, no pain, just weakness and drop foot. I'd be interested in hearing if you have found any solutions? Did you have cancer treatment to the pelvic area? Love to hear from you.
BoneyMaroni
Joined: Jul 2010
My husband has prostate cancer that had spread to his spine. The 15 course radiation caused nerve damage that you all have discribed here. He has tried IVg, Avistan, Rituxin, and HBO to no avail. Steroids can give him a little bit of help, but with all the steroid side effects. I am interested any any treatments that some one may have had that helps. He walks with two canes and can't walk very far. Has anyone else had any success with the chiropracter or holistic medicine or acpuncture? The cancer is being controled but qualty of life from the radiatin damage is really low. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Robins
Joined: Mar 2012
I read with interest your comments posted in July 2010 regarding you husband's walking difficulties after his radiation treatment for prostate treatment. My husband recently finished 30 radiation treatments for stage iv
metastasized prostate cancer. The first part of the radiation was directed at the mets to pelvic bones. After that was done
the radiology team focused on the prostate for a bout a week. Almost immediately Bill started having a different sort of reaction to the radiation: left leg pain. The radiologist did not seem to know what was causing the pain. Now the radiation has been completed but the left leg pain has progressed and is now accompanied by heaviness in the left leg and difficulty walking. He says the leg feels heavy, there is diffuse pain, especially in the thigh/upper leg down the knee, and it is hard to lift the leg to walk,especially when stairs are involved. There is a slight involvement of the right leg but much milder. We had feared this leg problem was caused by cancer attacking the spinal nerves but I decided to do searches on line to see if it possibly could be from the radiation of the prostate. I found your posting. So I am wondering if his pain and leg dysfunction is from the radiation. This has only just begun for us...this leg situation. But you asked about alternative treatments. I am an acupuncturist and treating it with scalp acupuncture. It seems to be helping to some extent. It is too early to tell how successful it will be. But a while back before radiation he was having right leg problems.... I think from cancer in spinal nerves....and I used scalp acupuncture on him at that time and the problem went away for the time being. Acupuncture can sometimes "remind" the nerves what they are supposed to be doing when they are being interfered with. I do not know how much success can be gotten with it when the nerves are permanently damaged by radiation or are solidly invaded by cancer, but it will work in many cases certainly up to a point. If your husbandis still having this problem, you might seek out an acupuncturist who does scalp acupuncture. Best wishes.
Joined: Sep 2012
Hello Cinnamonym,
I had chemo and radiation for left breast cancer 3 years ago. Four months ago I started pain in my whole left leg. Xrays, MRIs and PT does not help. Next step is Acupunctur... How do can I tell if I am going to an Acupuncturist who realy knows what he/she is doing?
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Joined: Jan 2005
Hi how are you. I was treated with pelvic radiation 32 treatments last Jan.o5 and I too have had left leg pain that I have mentioned to the onc. who just shook his head. I will get a tingling in that leg and pain and when I started a walking program my lower legs felt like they were not there, burning. I also have hip pain after sitting. email me if you like, coffeegals2004@yahoo.com
Joined: Apr 2004
Hi - I went through the same thing. I wasn't told it was from scar tissue but from the radiation. I went to three months of physical therapy and all that happened was that I got worse. I was referred to a chiroprator who believed in taking a holisitic therapies and it helped me so much. I couldn't wear heels, walked with a hard limp, and had the worst time with stairs. I was completley better within 6 months!
Joined: May 2006
Just like to mention one of the few things which might possibly help the damaged tissue is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Of course it is no miracle cure but it is scientifically proven to have an effect on damaged tissue. It got recommended to my friend who had radiation for his thigh because of sarcoma. The radiation did severe damage to the tissue, on top of that he has a nerve-damage. At moment he is dealing with recurrence of his sarcoma and did not yet have a chance to try HBOT.
Joined: Aug 2009
Hi Femi
I saw your comment about the use of a hyperbaric chamber for nerve damage. Have you heard any more about it? Very interesting. i would appreciate your comment.
BoneyMaroni
Joined: Aug 2009
Hi 1jml, What kind of treatment did your chiropractor give you? I see your posting was from 2004, I hope you are much much better know and I would love to hear your current condition.
Joined: Apr 2011
I know it's been quite a while but I just found this site and was interested in someone's 2004 comment on relief from this type of pain with holistic medicine. Could you please share with me the specifics of your successful treatment! Following surgery and chemo I had radiation to the right chest and have since experienced increasingly severe leg pain for which NO ONE seems to be able to treat or even understand. Thank you very much! Rebecca
Joined: May 2011
Hello everyone ..have just found this site...can't believe I'm not alone here...I had chemo and radiation for cervical cancer 8 years ago and have had leg pain, weakness and numbness for the last 2 years...my doctor says it's all in my head...where do I go from here...also pain in my hips when I walk..any suggestions much appreciated..
Joined: Sep 2011
I have nerve scarring from prostate cancer external radiation therapy 12 years ago. After a few years I began to have minor trouble walking. This has developed into gait ataxia symptoms. All other causes have been pretty much ruled out by extensive testing. I have gotten some relief from daily use of gabapentin (generic form of neurontin), 1200 mg. per day. Physical therapy has helped too.
I usually need a a cane and sometimes two canes to walk any distance.
I find that heat on my lower back aggravates the problem and also fever and viral infections.
Joined: Aug 2009
Hi, I saw your comment and I too have been losing the nerves in my legs for past 7 years. I was treated with radiation in the pelvic area 32 years ago (I'm 62) for cervical cancer and did not have problems with my legs until past 7 years. I have run battery of tests, nothing shows up, EMG, neuro tests, B-12 high, not diabetic, I have had electrical treatments and also spinal decompression but no help. The manipulation by my chiropractor helped more than anything but it could have been the decompression. I also try to exercise an hour at the day, this has helped my balance. What is this medication your dr recommends?
Joined: Jul 2009
I HAVE A SWELLING ..HOW DO I TELL YA WHERE
PUBIC HAIR AREA RIGHT ABOVE THE OPENING STRAIGHT ACROSS AND IT HURTS WHEN ANYTHING TOUCHES IT
THE GYN SAID IT WAS INFLAMAATION OR ACCUMULATION OF BLOOD AND IT WILL GO AWAY DID ANY ONE HAVE THS
Joined: Nov 2011
Oh yes i am still very swollen nearly 9 months after radiotherapy, some times its very sore, and at others i don't really notice it.
Julia
Joined: Mar 2012
I have a very similar situation, pelvic radiation (through hip flexor) 6 years ago, started with the neuro/weakness/fatigue/balance/walking problems 2 years ago. I have had every test out there, and there is "nothing wrong with me." I even got the "we need to consider a psychological problem" conversation. Thanks doc, but I am pretty sure the problems with my walking are CAUSING me to be crazy, it's not the crazy causing the walking problems.
I just recently found a treatment that seems to be helping, though. I have been seeing a myofascial release practitioner (MFR). It's kind of hard to describe, I'd say it's a combination of deep pressure massage and stretching at the same time. It's different than regular massage and different than physical therapy. The idea is that the scar tissue and adhesions from my surgery and radiation is restricting all the muscles, nerves and fascia in my hip/pelvis, and the fascia needs to be "unwound." Not sure if there is any real science behind it, but whatever...it's not like science has given me any help!
Anyway, I've had six treatments, and am walking noticeably better. I wouldn't say I'm 100% or anything, but the fatigue is improved somewhat and I feel more hopeful.
So, just thought I'd share my experience in case it can help someone else. Hang in there, everyone!
Joined: Apr 2012
I am so happy to find these posts. I had pelvic radiation Sept. 2011. I am just now feeling so stiff when I get up from sitting too long and get real sore after activity and housework. I am scared that I'm having reoccurrence. I will be having a PET scan next week to decide the cause. I am pleased to hear so many also have pain. It is better than the alternative. If it is benign I can go forward with all these ideas to relive the symptoms.
I love your attitude. Most doctors don't get it at all. Good for you ChristyL
Joined: Apr 2012
Stacey46;
I too finished pelvic radiation, for prostate cancer, in Sept. 2010. I am a runner and work out in the gym 3 times a week. I find I also get sore if I sit too long or in the morning when I get out of bed. As an early morning runner it is unnerving to have to struggle out of bed yet can still run no problem after I loosen up a bit. I also notice that the groin muscles (inner leg at upper joint with hip) often ache after running or a heavy lower body work out. As with you, I first thought the cancer has returned and is affecting the muscles. However, it appears the cause is tissue damage to the muscles which can appear up to two years after completion of the radiation.
As a very physically active individual, I have been a challenge to my treatment team. However, I believe activity, healthy life style and a positive attitude will get us through this.
Best of life to you Stacey46.
Joined: Jan 2009
I completed 5 1/2 weeks radiation on April 10, 2009, recovered well, and only recently have I started to experience pain in upper thighs and groin area. I had vulvar cancer, had surgery and 1 lymph node involved, thus full pelvic radiation. I was back to walking 3 miles a day and all of a sudden I started having pain. Rad/onco said it was scar tissue forming from radiation, especially because of 'frog-leg' position I had to be in for treatments. I have been in physical therapy for 2 weeks and have noticed a big difference. Getting in and out of a car, and getting up from a chair were very painful, I am relatively pain free now, although certain activities are still difficult.My body responds to PT well, I tried chiropractic with no results, actually got worse, but each person is different.
I think I would ask a lot of questions before going on medication.
Joined: Mar 2011
I started having weakness tingling and pain in my legs since I started Treanda/Rituxan.I was told this can be a side effect from cancer treatments of any kind.Also that in some cases it will subside when treatments are over but may also stay after treatments are over.I thought I was getting Arthritis as I have it in my hands and back.I only ever had radiation to neck and eyebrow area.Just thought I might add this as the symptoms sound the same.Michele Dx95FNHL3
Joined: Jul 2011
I had 8 weeks of external radiation 5 chemo treatments during radiation times, then 5 internal radiation treatments for cervical cancer 3B. During my external radiation my lower back/hip/right leg started hurting. I was told it would go away after treatments an I was no longer having to lay on the hard metal tables. That was diagnosed July 21,2010 told no cancer in body as of Nov 1,2010. I have not been able to return to work, actually got fired as was out so long. I have had multiple mri's, cat scans,'pet scans, bone scans. I have been on fentanyl, vidicon, neurontin, and elavil. I had exploratory surgery where both ovaries were taken along with a mass that thankfully was benign. I am scheduled tomsee a neurologist next week to see if he can figure out what is wrong. My doctors still seem to feel it is not radiation caused??? Is there a test that can be done to see if that is what it is. I am only 48, I am not able to drive as the drugs make me foggy headed, and also in Calif if I drive and get in an accident that has any type of investigation, it will be ruled my fault as all four of my meds have warnings against driving which would mean I was driving wihile influenced DWI. I am looking for any help in what my next step should be. Thanks, Pam
Joined: Nov 2011
Hi everyone i also have been having leg pain and i have noticed now after 9 months that my right hip is very weak, also recently i have been having a lot of fatigue, so so tired, trying to keep exercising, but not helping, keep thinking that the cancer must be comming back. has anyone else having these issues?????
Julia.
Joined: Jul 2010
Hi,
I just had another bad pap (so I qualify on this section of the site too), had laser treament on cerivix in 97. Testing again in a few weeks to see stage of cell changes. I have a pap every year, so really expecting no big problems.
Pelvic radiation and chemo for anal cancer two years ago. I see all these issues with leg pain, so I have just accepted it as a fact of my NEW life.
However, my cat scan in March showed a blockage near the pevic bone in my illiac artery, which is the apparent cause of my leg weakness. I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history.
It is also blocked about two inches from one of my radiation tattos. Makes me say' Hmm"? Just FYI.
So, on a couple meds to see if improves , if not then will have a stent.
NN
Joined: May 2011
my treatment for cervical cancer was in 2003.....I developed a blockge the same as yours and had a stent put in.....I still have a lot of leg pain and weakness and after 3 years of doctors test after test after test the doctors have finally admitted it from radiation treatment..I also have a lot of bowel problems ...some incontinence....also a side effect from radiation sacral nerve damage....but I am still happy to be here...I just wish the doctors wpuld inform us of the side effects...I always think the cancer is back...
Joined: Jul 2010
oops
Joined: Jul 2010
double, triple posts great!
Joined: Apr 2009
All of my nerve pain is in the face and neck from having radiation twice to the head. Now just a few months ago I got pneumonia because the nerve has my face numb on the left side and I can no longer swallow. I have asked every doctor I see or know and none of them can tell me what I need to do and none of then say then can help. We may be spared dyeing of the cancer but I am not sure dying of the side effects are any better.
Just my take
Hondo
Joined: Sep 2012
First off I love the pic of your dog! :)
I'm very worried now of nerve damage. As I read yours and many other people's posts on how the after affects of radiation cause nerve damage. I'm sorry about your situation. I pray it will ease up and not be so bad for you.
I will start up radiation in a month I believe so I'm very worried. Mine will be in the pelvic region. I worry of nerve damage to my legs and not being able to walk correctly.
I think we as a society don't know enough about radiation and HOW to fix any side effects. We blame it on laying on metal tables or say it will go away.....when in fact the professionals really don't know. But they don't tell you that.
What is bothersome is seeing a professional stand back with a big cover or behind a protective screen and look at you laying there with radiation jets directly going into your vagina with NO protection. You can't help but wonder how wrong this situation is for YOU.
Joined: Oct 2012
I thought this was supposed to be a rare occurance. Three years after radiation and chemo for a squamous-cell anal tumor (2008) I began to have balance and strength issues with my left leg. I realized how serious it was when I had a bad fall and broke my left ankle in 2009. The leg continued to become weaker and now I cannot lift my left leg up. I have had fasiculation in both of my quads for four years now and about a year ago my right leg dramatically weakened and now is about the same as my left leg. My main issue now is falling and I have had other significant injuries, foot fracture, sprained knee, etc. My story looks like many others that have posted... left leg starting the process and then spreading to the right leg. I do not have the drop foot that I see others experiencing. Has anyone found something that can help regenerate some of the damaged nerves?
Joined: Oct 2012
I have had all the test run by many docs too... mri's, emg's, lumbar puncture. It seems like each doctor I saw wanted to get their share of the "booty". I've seen too many neurologists who scratched their heads and told me they could only tell me what wasn't going on... ALS, MS, recurrance of the cancer. I'm sure you can tell I have become very discouraged with the medical community concerning radiation treatment. Finally, I found the leading neurologist in my area who told me that he sees this a couple of times a year and he is clear that it is directly caused from the radiation. I went back to my radiation doc four years after treatment and she told me she had never heard of anything like this and she would pray for me. It was such a dismissal and I felt she really was trying to deny that her therapy was responsible. I wasn't even looking for the "culprit". I just wanted to know how far it was going to go and if there was something that could be done about it. I agree with many on this network that we need to be warned about the side-effects - more specificaaly nerve damage - so we can make other informaed treatment choices if we want.
Joined: Oct 2012
I had 33 radiation treatments last winter for sarcoma in my left thigh. I have just noticed tingling in my left foot and ankle that began about a month ago. I wear a full length compression sleeve on my leg and at first thought it was cutting my circulation off and causing the tingling. Now I feel it constantly. I asked my oncologist about it a few days ago thinking it may be a delayed side effect of chemo (finished that in June), but he said that would affect both feet, not just one, and it usually happens during treatment. I talked to my chiropractor about it today and she said it sounds like nerve damage. I will see my radiation oncologist and physical therapist next week and hope they can help me with this. Reading some of these posts about loss of use and pain with walking is terrifying to me. I do also have a lot of hip pain after sitting and sometimes feel (and probably look) like an 80 YO woman when I walk. Once I get 'warmed up' it's not so bad.