strange symptom

micktissue
micktissue Member Posts: 430
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi everyone. Has anyone felt an odd sensation in your feet when tucking you chin? It might be residual from the surgery, or damage from radiation to nerves, but when I tuck mu chin to my chest, I have a sensation in my feet that feels like the rug is being pulled out from under me. It's very odd. I just emailed the Drs so we'll see what they say. It cropped up a couple of weeks ago and now it's really bugging me.

Best,

Mick

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #2
    Another side effect
    Mick,

    This appears to be another side effect of the radiation. We get radiated around the head and neck area. The radiation beam passes through the targeted areas as well as hitting their marks. One main concern that my Radiation Oncologist told me was the amount of RAD's we receive during our treatments.

    The spinal cord was his main interest, as he explained it to me, they (The Radiation Oncologist and Physicists ) most calculate the correct amount as to not harm the spinal cord. If they over dose the Rad's, we will have trouble walking or may lose the ability to walk all together. It is a very fine line from what he told me.

    I too had the same feelings that you are having. In time, and I do forget exactly when, it will pass. The radiation causes us to swell inside and out, putting some pressure on our spinal cord. As the swelling subsides, so will the tingle feeling when you lower your chin to your chest. Have you been doing any stretching exercises and gentle massages around you face and neck ?

    I am now over 5 years out and as I am typing feel no tingling as I lower my chin. Sorry I couldn't give you a better time line with this as when it will go away.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Lhermitte's Sign
    Mick, it's one of those gifts from the radiation. More than likely it'll deminish as time passes... I'm a year out and still have it a little, but lesser than initially.

    If you scan the forum there have been a few recent discussions on it during your treatment. I think DelNative was the first to post on it several months ago.

    Anyway's it's known as Lhermitte's Sign, Symptom, or Syndrom....Google it connected with H&N Radiation, or search on here....

    John
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    Lhermitte's Sign
    Mick, it's one of those gifts from the radiation. More than likely it'll deminish as time passes... I'm a year out and still have it a little, but lesser than initially.

    If you scan the forum there have been a few recent discussions on it during your treatment. I think DelNative was the first to post on it several months ago.

    Anyway's it's known as Lhermitte's Sign, Symptom, or Syndrom....Google it connected with H&N Radiation, or search on here....

    John

    The old L'Hermittes ...
    Mick, Seems many of of us have got it and most Doctors have no idea. It should go away. Mine has diminished a lot now and occurs less frequently and less pronounced.

    Scam
  • pattyanny
    pattyanny Member Posts: 544
    #5
    Yes, I am a member of that
    Yes, I am a member of that club! It has lessened lately, so I have hope. I saw a neurologist
    and he was stumped. Ahhhh! Another side effect that they do not warn you about, although I am glad to be alive! Hope your tingling will fade with time too! I know it will! God bless! Patty
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #6
    Scambuster said:

    The old L'Hermittes ...
    Mick, Seems many of of us have got it and most Doctors have no idea. It should go away. Mine has diminished a lot now and occurs less frequently and less pronounced.

    Scam

    Drs reply
    My Drs (surgeon) reply to this was "can't help you". WTF? I mentioned L'Hermitte and it meant nothing to him. My rad onco has not yet replied. the symptom has already diminished. the funny thing is, nerves to the feet emerge from the lower spine, not the neck!

    More when Doc Nuke 'Em replies.

    Best,

    Mick
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Lhermitte's Sign
    Mick, it's one of those gifts from the radiation. More than likely it'll deminish as time passes... I'm a year out and still have it a little, but lesser than initially.

    If you scan the forum there have been a few recent discussions on it during your treatment. I think DelNative was the first to post on it several months ago.

    Anyway's it's known as Lhermitte's Sign, Symptom, or Syndrom....Google it connected with H&N Radiation, or search on here....

    John

    smart friends at csn
    I just received this email from the rad Dr:

    "Wow! Those friends at the Cancer Survivor's Network are good. What you are describing does sound like Lhermitte's: typically described as a 'shock-like' sensation down the spine when flexing the neck. The time course is right also. It is a temporary condition, might last a few months."

    You guys are GOOD!

    Best,

    Mick
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    micktissue said:

    smart friends at csn
    I just received this email from the rad Dr:

    "Wow! Those friends at the Cancer Survivor's Network are good. What you are describing does sound like Lhermitte's: typically described as a 'shock-like' sensation down the spine when flexing the neck. The time course is right also. It is a temporary condition, might last a few months."

    You guys are GOOD!

    Best,

    Mick

    Good Call...
    LOL, nothing like several of us going through the same thing for the MD's to figure that out......glad he concurs.

    ~JG
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #9
    Scambuster said:

    The old L'Hermittes ...
    Mick, Seems many of of us have got it and most Doctors have no idea. It should go away. Mine has diminished a lot now and occurs less frequently and less pronounced.

    Scam

    Yep
    Took months for mine to show, but has been with me, now, for at least the last 7-months. Told my Onco about, in May, and she made like there's nothing they can do about it. Mine is all upper-torso, from mid-chest up to my chin on the right-side (my C seemed to be on my left-side).

    kcass
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #10
    pattyanny said:

    Yes, I am a member of that
    Yes, I am a member of that club! It has lessened lately, so I have hope. I saw a neurologist
    and he was stumped. Ahhhh! Another side effect that they do not warn you about, although I am glad to be alive! Hope your tingling will fade with time too! I know it will! God bless! Patty

    Send him a bill !
    Mick, maybe you should send your nuke man a bill for giving medical advice !

    At least he recognized the fact others - apart from Doctors, do know 'something'. I think my guy would just grunt and change the subject. I'll test him on it next time I'm in.

    Scam
  • fishingirl
    fishingirl Member Posts: 188
    #11
    Scambuster said:

    Send him a bill !
    Mick, maybe you should send your nuke man a bill for giving medical advice !

    At least he recognized the fact others - apart from Doctors, do know 'something'. I think my guy would just grunt and change the subject. I'll test him on it next time I'm in.

    Scam

    lol!! Me too! I haven't
    lol!! Me too! I haven't said anything to anyone, because I didn't know how to explain it!! It's like tingly nerve endings when you stretch your neck and head downward. I hoping it will go away. But it is sooo minor, it's no big deal:)
  • delnative
    delnative Member Posts: 450
    #12
    fishingirl said:

    lol!! Me too! I haven't
    lol!! Me too! I haven't said anything to anyone, because I didn't know how to explain it!! It's like tingly nerve endings when you stretch your neck and head downward. I hoping it will go away. But it is sooo minor, it's no big deal:)

    FWIW
    Mine lasted more than a year after treatment. But now, 20 months out, it's just a memory.
    Wish I could say that for the Cisplatin fingertips ...

    --Jim in Delaware

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