Has anyone had leg pain after pelvic radiation?

Hi, yes I did notice unusual leg pain about 3-6 months post treatment. I definately felt better when walking or stretching. (Funny how the body naturally knows whats best at times) I also was able to find a gentle yoga class specifically for cancer recovery that was wonderful. I am 3yrs post treatment now and as long as I do at least some light physical activity daily, though I usually do more, I have no more pain.....at least for now!

Although the radiation is targeted at the tumor site, I always compare it to a fire pit and how the heat and ashes burn and singe the area far from the center of the pit. Sometimes that field is permanently damaged, but much will re-grow with a little work and attention. So, in that way, the muscles, tendons, bones, etc. in your hips and legs have suffered some trauma and need regular exercise to rebuild.

Thats just my thinking of course so please run it past your doctor to rule out any serious conditions.

Be well.

katheryn

z said:

Nancy

I too had leg pain and buttock pain.  On 6-30-14 it will be 5 years ned from the end of tx.  I think the leg pain lasted up to the 2nd year.  It was more like it felt better if I pushed on it like breaking up tissue, I really don't know.  I hope you will find out and let us know.  I wish you well, Lori

I had/have a lot of buttock pain too. In the beginning (I'm over five years out of treatment) it felt too that I should be pushing against it. Walking up a slight inclimb felt good. But the PT said I shouldn't do anything that causes pain. So I didn't. And I still have problems with walking distances more than 250 ft. My hips and leg (right leg) clamp up then I have to stop and rest for about 10 minutes. I often wonder if I should have listened to my instincts and pushed further, walked up the hill rather than not. Z, how is your walking now?

I am 5 years 3 months post treatment and still have some hip. leg, and feet pain occasionally particularily if I sit for long periods of time.  I did not have these issues prior to treatments.

Mike

sandysp said:

Same size?

Check carefully to make sure both legs are the same size. I developed Secondary Lymphedema (apparently I already had primary Lymphedema and had no idea). I had a lot of pain in my legs even before treatment (apparently because of the lymph node involvement) particularly the right leg which gave me the most trouble. They both would feet very heavy. 

After going for physical therapy with a lymphedema specialist and given a series of treatments, and wearing compression garments daily I can now manage the pain and my legs can even feel lightweight and pain free. I have to give myself the MLD treatments regularly, though or the pain comes back. MLD stands for Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

Radiologists have no interest in this subject. You need a Cancer Treatment Rehabilitation Center. MSKCC has one. My doctor there is a Physiologist and Neurologist. I felt depressed when I was first diagnosed but today putting on my stockings in the morning is the first thing I do and I don't give it a second thought. I am looking forward to my new spring colors. MLD massages help me go to sleep at night.

If your leg meets any of the above criteria, don't wait but start treatment asap. Lymphedema is like cancer in a way, it only gets worse if you ignore it. I am happy to have managed to stay stage I Lymphedema. There is a big difference between Stage I and II or III or IV.

Good luck to you. If it is this, I am here to support you. If it isn't hopefully you will find out what it is. Even scar tissue in the area can press against nerves and imitate sciatica.

Sincerely,

Sandy

Two years post treatment now and I still have muscle pain and weakness in thighs and hip pain and stiffness, some days worse than others. Seems like the warmer weather lately has been helping...... Sandysp, you are so lucky to have a rehabilitation center. My Doctors just looked at me like they didn't know what I was talking about when I described my muscle pain after treatment ended. The only Doctor who acknowledges the damage radiation does is my General Family Doctor who is also an Osteopathic Physician. 

magillilnb said:

Sanysp

Thanks for your response and I hope you keep your Lyphedema in check.  Sounds like you're doing a great job.

My left leg doesn't feel heavy, and my legs are the same size, but I plan to see my PCP, and I'm pretty sure she'll send me for physical therapy. My radiation oncologist said he doesn't think it's from radiation, but that's what I expected him to say. He's sending me for a bone scan, which I don't think will show anything. He thinks it's arthritis, but I don't believe it's that, either. I have been doing some exercises on my own and have noticed that my left leg hamstrings are really tight and hurt when I try to stretch them. I think the issue is somewhere up higher and is referring down my leg. I hope to find out what before too long.

Nancy

I think it's good you're getting a bone scan.  The bone scan I had done after treatment showed Osteopenia in my hips and my General Physician recommended that I double up on my calcium supplements.  Another wonderful gift radiation leaves us with!

magillilnb said:

Leg pain is worse

I've had an MRI, which showed no compression of the spine, so that was good.  I've seen my colo-rectal surgeon and she gave me Neurotin. It wasn't working at the dose I started on, so she upped it. I am taking 800 mg 3 x a day and my foot feels as if something inside of it is trying to bust out of my skin. I'm in constant pain which is only "relieved" by concentrating on something else, or taking a narcotic at night to sleep. My GP believes this is peripheral neuropathy from cisplatin and taxol, both of which I had. She said it doesn't have to be bilateral. Thank God mine is not, or I would not be able to get around at all. As it is, I am limping. The only shoes that don't hurt are tennis shoes. Everything else feels like it's pushing on the imaginary thing that's trying to get out of my foot. I am seeing a massage therapist, and I feel great when I leave his office, but before long, I'm back to pain and limping. Last night, I had sudden shooting pains going horizontally across the back of my thigh. Did any of you have the kind of experiences I've described? 

I would ask your doctor before using L-Glutamine since you are already on the Neurontin, but it could possibly be helpful.  It's a supplement that can be purchased OTC at stores like GNC.  I'm sorry you are experiencing this and hope you can get some relief soon.

magillilnb said:

mp3277

I looked it up and it sounds promising. I just called my doctor's office and asked if it's okay for me to take it. I hope she calls back today, but it's not likely. I may call the pharmacy, if I don't hear from her. I read about interactions and it said that glutamine may decrease the effectiveness of drugs give for seizures, including Neurotin. But she gave me Neurotin to help with the nerve pain, so I don't think that is should be an issue for me to take both. But I'll wait to hear what she says.

Thanks for passing this along.

 

It's worth a try if there's no interference with other meds you are taking.  Let us know if it helps.