Leg pain after hysterectomy

Hi Debbie. 

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Helen and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan support line. 

I see you have joined some of our online forums, I hope you are finding them a supportive place to be.

I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain and numbness in the top of your legs following your hysterectomy.

It can take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover after having a hysterectomy and although its good to know you have made your consultant aware of the problem, I am concerned that it appears to be getting worse.

If you have lymph nodes taken away as part of your operation, the flow of lymphatic fluid around your body can be disrupted. In some women, the fluid may build up in one or both legs, 

This is called lymphoedema and if this is the cause, there are several treatments that can help you to manage and control it, including seeing a lymphoedema specialist.

However not all swelling is lymphoedema and as with any worsening symptom, we would advise you contact your consultant or specialist nurse to discuss this. They will be able assess why you are getting increased pain and numbness and refer you to a lymphoedema specialist if appropriate.

If your symptom gets worse, or any new symptoms develop, you may wish to make a more urgent appointment with your GP or contact 111 for out-of-hours medical help.

Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. We’d always be happy to talk this through with you in more detail. It’s free to call our nurses on 0808 808 0000,or send us an email. We’re here 7 days a week from 8am-8pm including bank holidays. 

Ref: HK / KE

I’ve got an appointment to start radiotherapy next Tuesday so I’ll mention it then thank you .

Ive had a message from my doctor today after a blood test I had yesterday saying I need another blood test as the size of my blood cells had increased is this anything to worry about ?

Hi Dandy 

Thanks for getting back in touch with us, I’m Gina and I’m also one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan support line. It’s helpful that you have an appointment on Tuesday with the radiotherapy team for you to discuss your concerns as mentioned previously. 

In answer to your most recent message about needing a repeat blood test, we are unable to comment on specific test results. This is because we are independent from the NHS and do not have access to people’s medical records, and don’t know the full context of these test results. 

However, we would advise you to get in contact your GP, and they will be able to explain exactly what they mean and will be able to advise you what impact this might have.  

I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.  

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.  

Best wishes 

Gina, 

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

Ref/GMcR/KM