radiotherapy on my spine and pelvis

TheaT 4 months ago

25 replies
23 subscribers
1536 views

Hi folks

has anyone had radiotherapy on their spine?

I have been suffering a lot with pain in my lower back and over the winter really struggled with walking. It has improved a bit as my chemo is starting to work on slowing down the progress but my last scan showed no change - the mets in my spine are still there and apparently a lot of them. I asked my consultant to refer me to a cancer specialist physio as I said the hardest thing is knowing if its safe to do certain things or if I'm making the problems worse. She had a team talk and they decided I needed radiotherapy.

For some reason I find this terrifying - its my spine - what if it goes wrong?

also I remember how awful it was when I had radiotherapy only shoulder. I was in bed for weeks and could nearly move - surely having it on my back will mean restricted mobility?

So please if you know about this or have experience can you tell me your story

Leelaloo 1 month ago in reply to TheaT

Hi Thea I am sorry to hear about no radiotherapy, swimming or physiotherapy. I wonder why it is high risk of infection with swimming, you would think that it would be beneficial for you. I had radiotherapy on one of the tumors on my spine last Tuesday. It was pushing two discs into spinal cord so I had no choice. It has been very painful and I wondered if it was worth it. I feel a bit better today though so onwards and upwards. I also see from another post you are thinking of moving to Liverpool/Chester area? I love that area and I have heard good stories about Clatterbridge hospital. I used to live in Liverpool and had to have an operation as was in Walton hospital for two weeks. I dont even know if it is there anymore. Good luck with your decision. Big hugs.

Lee x

L1964 1 month ago

TheaT

Clatterbridge Cancer centre is my hospital- my consultant is fab as are all the nurses etc . Never had a cancelled appointment or any issues so far

Lucy xx

TheaT 1 month ago in reply to Leelaloo

Thank you Lee for telling me about your treatment on your spine. I am in a similar position as the way the cluster of tumours are growing on my spine they are pushing things out of line. I think they have decided to delay it because of where the tumours are it could harm other organs but they didn't specify exactly why they changed their mind after the second scan. Its difficult to see the consultant and the reg Drs don't know all the information. I know from having radiotherapy on my shoulder that the pain spikes after a few days and can last for a while. The good news for you is that it will stop and then hopefully you will be better than before. I got 70% movement back ins my shoulder but it did take a while. Are you able to walk and sit ok? That was my worry. Also I felt really tired for months.

Yes I am looking at what treatment places are like around Liverpool so its good to know you have had positive experiences.

x Thea

Leelaloo 1 month ago in reply to TheaT

Hi Thea, I am able to walk and sit but the pain has come back today really bad, think I overdid it yesterday with housework. I had twenty sessions of radiotherapy 12 years ago with breast cancer and it didnt hurt at all. Just the tiredness. Lucy I love the Wirral my Nan used to live there and I worked in a pub in Heswall. Lovely place. Hope you both had a good day.

Lee 2 x

TheaT 1 month ago in reply to Leelaloo

Hi Lee

my memory of the new kind of high intensity radiotherapy is that it takes a few days before the pain really kicks in. I was warned that it would get worse before it got better and it did! So take plenty of rest. Apparently the laser destroys the cancer cells in the bone and then the damaged bone has to repair and regrow and when it does it comes back stronger and denser so its good news long term but not so good short term. I was advised to keep topping up the oramorph even before the pain as it helped to prevent it. Honestly I have had more problems with the cancer in the bones than elsewhere. It is definitely the most painful part. I am glad to hear that you are mobile and hope you are feeling better soon.

x Thea