Leg Pain

Hi Argy48 

My name is Steph, I am part of the team who look after the Online Community. 

I understand that you wanted to post your message in the Prostate cancer forum, so I have moved it here for you.

I am sorry to hear about the pain that you're experiencing. I hope that you find some comfort by talking to others here in the forums.

Although we can be here to talk when you need to, no one here can tell you what your pain is connected to.  If you're feeling worried about the pain and finding it hard to cope, even if you're not sure what else your GP can do to help, it's best to make another appointment so you can ask for further support.

Macmillan have this information about pain and the healthcare professionals who are there to help. 

We also have a Macmillan Support Line if you want to talk things through with a nurse or for general cancer support.  Our Support Line teams are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat.

Please do keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply, Steph.

Hello Argy48 

You are doing really well with a PSA of 0.05 and at 78 the last thing you want to worry about is the cancer!.

The "normal rules" for you would be PSA tests either every 3 or 6 months and your team would only take further action IF you had 3 consecutive rises in your PSA tests or one rise of +2.00.

A simple answer to your question is:

The PSA is a measure of a certain protein produced by cells in your prostate gland and doesn't feed the cancer - prostate cancer feeds on your testosterone. IF your PSA started to rise again, this would indicate you have some active cancer cells.

Try not to worry and enjoy life - you are doing great as things stand.

I hope the above helps to put your mind at ease.

Best wishes - Brian.

I had a similar experience to this.

 Whilst going through radiotherapy I had increasing lower back pain and sciatica.

Two MRI scans offered no evidence that this was related to the cancer.

What they did discover was spinal stenosis - an age related problem which reduces the space the main nerve passes through. This has, if aggrated, a similar pain level to a herniated disc.

That was 1.5 years ago. I was bed bound, in pain, and very miserable. I spoke to a variety of medical people, from radiotherapists to chiropractors, and was told that it was unlikely that the treatment had caused the problem. The radiotherapy MAY have aggravated existing inflammation, but it appears that the jury is out on that.

So, how am I now?

Well, not so bad.

For me, walking was the thing. My start was the acquisition of a Rollafold walker. That was more effective than sticks, easier to manage, and encouraged me to get going.

My nerve system appears to be permanently damaged because my right foot now turns inwards and slaps a bit when I walk.

I can now walk for about 30 minutes without and kind of support. Using a stick, I can add another 15 minutes or more to that. With the walker my range is indefinitely.

I am 74.

The way forward, I found, was to take pain relief medication to ease the pain. It did not, and has not, disappeared entirely. I can keep going, and intend to do so.

Walking was, for me, the key.

It may be some kind of different movement for you. 

Onwards and upwards, and my very best wishes to you.