Conclusion: weakness

Phoebesnow
Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
For many months now I have been suffering with balance issues. I have suffered many moderate/light injuries in recent months. My gp had initially dxed weakness, but sent me for head ct, which was clear, and to a neurologist, who said no not weakness but no dx. Took many tests to no avail. Finally in past months has really progressed to the point I agree with dx of weakness. I feel so sad about this dx, as I have worked so hard on my body's strength due too much sickness in my youth. At the same time I feel so grateful that it wasn't brain cancer because u know that was what I was thinking even though the head scan was clear. I have begun to experience this same weakness in my arms after working physically. I am ready to start whatever treatment is necessary to get me moving forward and to be rid of these issues. I am still very physically active. I am just so happy to finally have a conclusion.

I do believe that the weakness in my hips and Knees is due to nerve damage in my leg due to radiation damage, but I cannot say about why it is developing in my arms.


I feel it is important to document our symptoms and dx here to help others down the road. I am not just coming here for sympathy and support, that is just icing on the cake. This site helped me so much thru all of this, much more than any doctor. Although I did not post then, I hung on every line written here because it all applied to me. For anyone out there we are here for you!

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    Phoebesnow
    Hello, I just want to say that it took me a good year to regain my stamina. I completed tx 6-30-09 and on 9-23-10 I had vats surgery to remove my lower right lung lobe. Not related to the anal cancer. I was a 35 year smoker and developed non-small lung cancer (smokers cancer), caught very early due to anal cancer screening. I feel better now than I have in years. I quit smoking 5-4-09.

    I gauged how my stamina came back, by when I was able to do my yard work without having to go in and lay down. That was mowing, edging, and weed eating. So with the anal cancer tx is was about a year, and the lung cancer about 3 months as I had no chemo/radiation for the lung cancer.

    I think the chemo/radiation does a real number on us, and it will take a while to get back to where you were.

    I wish you well. Lori
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    #3
    Same Here
    I am 3 years post treatment and still have some weakness in my legs and hips especially if I sit or lie down for too long. The radiation does a number on our whole body. I was just cutting back some perennials in the flower beds today and became light headed and had to sit down for a few seconds. I have learned how to manage this small issue post treatment. I try to walk 4-5 times per week for 30 minutes.
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    #4
    mxperry220 said:

    Same Here
    I am 3 years post treatment and still have some weakness in my legs and hips especially if I sit or lie down for too long. The radiation does a number on our whole body. I was just cutting back some perennials in the flower beds today and became light headed and had to sit down for a few seconds. I have learned how to manage this small issue post treatment. I try to walk 4-5 times per week for 30 minutes.

    Thanks for info
    Yes, I still say every day i see some improvement in stamina. I too have the lightheaded ness when standing too quick, low bp, low rbc, low WBC. I enjoy these head rushes at times. I am a landscaper, working physically five days a week, a surfer, everyday when it is good. A dog walker of 1 hour fast walking3x per week. I have always believed push more and u get more. I feel good other that the increasing falling. I am hoping that physical therapy will be the prescription. I am suprised that it is getting worse and not better with all this physical activity. But maybe other parts of my body are compensating for my thigh weakness and now they are tired too. But I will march on.
  • chaybay56
    chaybay56 Member Posts: 9
    #5
    Phoebesnow said:

    Thanks for info
    Yes, I still say every day i see some improvement in stamina. I too have the lightheaded ness when standing too quick, low bp, low rbc, low WBC. I enjoy these head rushes at times. I am a landscaper, working physically five days a week, a surfer, everyday when it is good. A dog walker of 1 hour fast walking3x per week. I have always believed push more and u get more. I feel good other that the increasing falling. I am hoping that physical therapy will be the prescription. I am suprised that it is getting worse and not better with all this physical activity. But maybe other parts of my body are compensating for my thigh weakness and now they are tired too. But I will march on.

    OMG --- Is This Really Related to My Treatment???
    First let me say that I am so glad I joined this group...

    I have been having 'weakness' and 'faint' issues as well. I have to hold on to things just to get up and down! I am chronically having to get iron infusions as I suffer from chronic anemia. Well, I broke my foot in May '11 and that put me in a boot...bones weren't healing, foot still hurting...started to see a nuerologist. Weakness kept getting worse and I was still in the boot for my foot so she scheduled more tests. Before I could take the tests I 'fainted' and because I had on the boot it snapped my ankle in all 3 bones. Currently still bedridden and who knows for how long because of my slow healing bones! See the doctor soon to find out when I can begin putting weight on it and getting back on my feet. I have been to the emergency room several times post treatment due to various things from the cancer treatment. The last 2 times they kept me for dehydration and low blood pressure...and after my surgery for my ankle they kept me 2 days because of my blood pressue. They took me off all my medications...but I have been on my blood pressure medications for years and when I take it now it is always normal or high. Hasn't been low but then I am not moving around either. I guess I am not telling the right things to the right doctors because I would never have thought to mention this to my oncologist.

    Anyway I could go on and on about what the fallout to this cancer has been to me, but I won't. THANKS for enlightening me.

    Cherryl
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    chaybay56 said:

    OMG --- Is This Really Related to My Treatment???
    First let me say that I am so glad I joined this group...

    I have been having 'weakness' and 'faint' issues as well. I have to hold on to things just to get up and down! I am chronically having to get iron infusions as I suffer from chronic anemia. Well, I broke my foot in May '11 and that put me in a boot...bones weren't healing, foot still hurting...started to see a nuerologist. Weakness kept getting worse and I was still in the boot for my foot so she scheduled more tests. Before I could take the tests I 'fainted' and because I had on the boot it snapped my ankle in all 3 bones. Currently still bedridden and who knows for how long because of my slow healing bones! See the doctor soon to find out when I can begin putting weight on it and getting back on my feet. I have been to the emergency room several times post treatment due to various things from the cancer treatment. The last 2 times they kept me for dehydration and low blood pressure...and after my surgery for my ankle they kept me 2 days because of my blood pressue. They took me off all my medications...but I have been on my blood pressure medications for years and when I take it now it is always normal or high. Hasn't been low but then I am not moving around either. I guess I am not telling the right things to the right doctors because I would never have thought to mention this to my oncologist.

    Anyway I could go on and on about what the fallout to this cancer has been to me, but I won't. THANKS for enlightening me.

    Cherryl

    Leg weakness
    Cherryl, this seems to be a common complaint among people who have undergone this treatment. I know that my legs tire much more easily these days compared to before cancer. I'm sorry to hear about your broken foot, as I've been there, done that too! That was some of the worst pain I've ever had, but not quite as bad as the radiation burns. I hope you'll be able to begin putting weight on it soon. It's a little scary in the beginning, but you'll know your limits. I wish you continued healing.

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