hip/pelvic fractures

mh623
mh623 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
I was dx'd with cervical cancer in feb '02 @ age 37. Went thru 6 weeks of external radiation w/chemo, followed by a week of internal radiation.

After a sudden onset of lower back pain, I found out today that I have an "insufficiency fracture" of my pelvis. Apparently the radiation caused enough damage to the bones to weaken them to the point of fracturing "spontaneously" (I went to bed, rolled over in the middle of the night and had a shooting pain in my lower back that extended down the back of my leg).

My phys told me that they have had several women with this same problem. Other than prescribing pain meds to make me more comfortable as the bone heals (they say it will), there really isn't anything they can do.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? How have you handled it?

Please feel free to reply on this message board or to my e-mail: MHarnois@chorus.net.

God bless you all.

Comments

  • MrsSantolla
    MrsSantolla Member Posts: 20
    #2
    Hi,
    I havent had any fractures however I have had pain in my hips ever since my treatments. However strangely enough, today, I had more pain than normal. It did cross my mind, "did I break something?" but it passed. I've always thought "is this pain in my head", but now I see I'm not the only one. I'm sorry you have been in so much pain. Our bodies really went through alot. We keep finding out later just how much. I hope you are doing ok otherwise.
    Take care and God bless.
  • SharonEL
    SharonEL Member Posts: 20
    #3
    Hi!

    I have also been having problems with hairline fractures of my sacrum from radiation. I also have a lot of stiffness in my hips. The mri diagnosis was radiation necrosis. He is also watching me for avascular necrosis where the hip bone dies from lack of blood because the rads damaged the blood vessels.
    My Ortho Doc just told me to take it easy. No weight-bearing exercise like walking or my stairstepper. He has cleared me to ride my bike though. However, sometimes that is painful too. Luckily, I am not so bad that I have to take painkillers. I take Aleve to sleep at night. For some reason moving around in bed is one of the more painful things. In the meantime, I keep getting fatter, LOL! I am one of those who has to exercise to not be fat.
    I am glad to read your post because I was feeling very alone. So much of the time I read where women say they are doing fine with no problems after treatment. Then I feel like a whiner or loser or something. It helps to know that I am not the only one.
    Thanks for posting and keep us updated! I hope you feel better soon.
    Sharon
  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 1
    #4
    I went through the same treatment and have been suffering from a really bad pain in my left hip. My doctor told me to take it easy and it is probably a joint problem. i have to constantly take advil. Thanks for posting. Now I know what questions I should aks my other radiation oncologist.

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