Swelling in Knees and Ankles Following Chemo and Radiation

clarebogle
clarebogle CSN Member Posts: 1
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

New to this network and learning so much as I assist my husband recovering from TORS and the 6 week chemo/radiation that followed. TORS was a breeze compared to the trauma of radiation and chemotherapy. His last radiation treatment was April 28, 2025 and while we expected the dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and general malaise, we didnt expect pain in lower extremities making walking virtually impossible and hampering his recovery post treatment.

Has anyone suffered similar side effects and any thoughts on how best to address? Thank you.

Comments

  • sailingalong
    sailingalong CSN Member Posts: 4
    #2

    Hi, read your post. I had/have similar issues you describe after chemo for colorectal cancer. Chemo affects the whole body unlike radiation. I did not expect having such severe walking issues. The doctors say you may experience some neuropathy but don't detail the long list of side effects that might happen. Time is the biggest factor towards healing but I made a post on this if you would like to read it.

    sailingalong

  • Swoosh13
    Swoosh13 CSN Member Posts: 87
    #3

    My husband had 7 weeks of daily radiation and once weekly chemo (Cisplatin) and we were warned of possible neuropathy in hands and feet. He finished treatment for SCC HPV +16 base of tongue cancer end of October 2023. Fortunately that did not happen. However at about week 3 of his treatment, he developed a DVT blood clot in his right leg (which started with pain in his lower leg that he described as a pulled muscle, and got so bad he could not walk, went to the ER for 2 days before being admitted for 2 more). We were told it was caused by having cancer and the chemo treatment. He’s fine now and has recovered well but has to take daily blood thinner (Eliquis). His taste has mostly returned and dry mouth was never terrible. He has been NED since (negative PET scan in 2/24) and we rotate seeing his tumor board doctors every 4 months. I would never have guessed a leg blood clot but he literally could not walk until they started the Eliquis in the hospital. Hang in there, you are through the worst (that first month after is often the worst) and things will hopefully continue to improve. Best to you both.

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