Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Nerve Damage from Radiotherapy
by claudia123, Jul 20, 2008 09:00PM
At age 45, (white female ) five years ago, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer with undetermined invasion into the myometrial wall because of the placement in the cornu, and received 25 of the recommended 28 radiation treatments because my bladdar was burnt very badly, (couldn't retain urine ) and the incision from the hysterectomy opened completely requiring hernia surgery. Oncologist explained that all of this was due to malnutrion, although I've always eaten well, even after surgery. Vagina is scarred. About 5 treatments in, I noticed the back of my calves tingling. By the end of 25 treatments, which was 4000 rads rather the recommended 4500 rads, my feet were tingling constantly ( which hasn't stopped ) and the pelvic girdle in back feels like it's on fire...constantly. If I try to be active such as riding a bike, the pain is mind-blowing. And recently, I have a pumping sensation in my legs. Feels like a vein or blood vessel touched against it. My oncologist told me its a circulation problem, be happy to be alive. I would otherwise be dead by now.
When I spoke to my oncologist last October explaining for the third time that I fall alot and that last summer I fractured my skull which would indicate this issue is not improving on it's own, his response was, "I've never had any good luck referring people to neurology."
My GP gave me a script for Neurontin (sp?) which he claims is what's left for the 'no hope crowd.' This particular drug works very well, but then again, I'm not bothered by this problem when I'm asleep. And I'd really like to do more with my life sleep through it. I have lots of doctors who write unlimited scripts for narcotics and nerve agents, but nobody wants to address the issue beyond tossing drugs in my lap.
Do you have a guess what might have happened, and how do I find a specialist who might care to get involved?
When I spoke to my oncologist last October explaining for the third time that I fall alot and that last summer I fractured my skull which would indicate this issue is not improving on it's own, his response was, "I've never had any good luck referring people to neurology."
My GP gave me a script for Neurontin (sp?) which he claims is what's left for the 'no hope crowd.' This particular drug works very well, but then again, I'm not bothered by this problem when I'm asleep. And I'd really like to do more with my life sleep through it. I have lots of doctors who write unlimited scripts for narcotics and nerve agents, but nobody wants to address the issue beyond tossing drugs in my lap.
Do you have a guess what might have happened, and how do I find a specialist who might care to get involved?
Post Comment
Related Communities
Recent Videos
Related Expert Forums
Recent Activity
Most Popular Trackers
RSS
Expert Activity
Community Members
An unavoidable consequence of radiation treatment is indeed some form of damage to the nerves, and with your symptoms, it seems that the nerves involved are the ones supplying your lower extremities.
Unfortunately, nerve damage from radiation is really hard to address, and may really have no definitive treatment aside from controlling the neuropathic pain with the medications that you are presently taking. It is also recommended that you receive some form of anxiolytic or anti-depressant therapy, to achieve synergism with your pain medications.
Regards and God bless.