Hi all,
So, I just finished my 20 RT fractions for my PC and that (as such processes go) went very well (procedurally, time will tell re outcome etc), mostly because of the attention / care / flexibility / attitude of the all staff.
Because you need to get all 3 cherries in a row (full bladder, empty bowel, no wind) and at the time of your appointment, most of the RT staff had to be like those you see spinning several plates on sticks, dealing with us patients and keeping the RT machines as busy as possible. ;-)
But I do have one question and that is around the end of my treatment I found I had quite a bit of 'discomfort' in my lower back, possibly kidneys, possibly my left hip that seems to be taking it's time to go away and is most likely (?) to be a pulled muscle or aching joint or some such, rather than a side effect of the RT itself? I can't remember doing anything likely to cause a pulled muscle but I know it can sometimes be the 'silly things' that can catch us out. Turning in the shower rather than mixing up cement etc.
I did run it past one of the TR's and they didn't seem to think there was a link but I just thought I'd ask here in case it was a 'known' side effect in some possibly rare cases?
I was thinking along the lines that IF the spinal cord is also 'hit' with the beam therapy, could that be aggravated etc <shrug>?
Cheers ...
Hi Able
I'm sorry to read about the discomfort you're in.
I can't help with your question, as I'm not a member of this forum, but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.
While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Good morning, I hope.
Disclaimer - I have absolutely no medical knowledge and, whilst planned for radiotherapy, I am some months away from that.
I have had back problems for years though, as a sufferer, and have had, and still get, problems similar to your own, except down the right side.
My problems have centred around herniated disks and the aftermath. You haven't yet had one of those, because the pain is quite serious and unmistakeable.
It might be that the contortions you have been getting into during the RT sessions have bent something a little out of shape.
It is so easy to do. In my case I have triggered a herniated disk by sneezing, by bending down without thinking, and by getting out of a car without a thought. It took me over 6 months to get full mobility back on the last one.
As you can imagine, I now pay careful attention to pain in my back.
I get symptoms like those describe when I walk too far without warming up first (I also have arthritis in my right ankle which occasionally makes walking a bit funny).
That's when I know to stop.
I guess the only way to tick all the boxes is to talk to the RT team first, get a test for a UTI, and have a word with your GP.
If the GP diagnoses a possible back problem, then you might also want to see a chiropractor or osteopath, who might be able to be clearer about what you can do about it.
Hope it works out without the excruciating pain element.
Don't think of it as admin but as telling your 'story' 
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
