Sacral pain

Hi Glad24, when did your treatment finish? Have you mentioned it to your oncologist?

Hi 

25 external finished on 6th March 2025. I saw oncologist after 8 weeks. I had no problem with my back when I saw her. Two weeks ago suddenly this agonising pain started. I yell when it happens!! It still is bad at times but I am taking regular painkillers and avoiding anything I think might make it worse so not sure if it us improving. Biggest difficulties are getting out of bed, rolling over in bed and rising from a sitting to standing position. I am seeing the oncogist again in three weeks but am really worried about what is going on. I rang support and they suggested pain killers and hot/cold applications. Also suggested contacting my GP. Should I?

I would contact the radiation oncology team and ask to see the oncologist.  People can get fractures of the pelvis bones from radiation therapy. I think it is a rare side effect but happens.  My oncologist said that it usually heals well  if it happens.  I would check out the pain.

Thanks for that. If there are fractures I have read that the treatment is painkillers and rest with gentle exercise. Would an xray diagnose fine fractures or would a none scan be necessary? Thanks again.

I don’t know.  That’s a question for your oncology team.  Here, the nurses answer questions if the doctor is away or busy.  If they don’t know the answer they contact the doctor and get back to you.  The amount of pain you have needs to be investigated.

Thanks for your reply. I will contact my GP.

Hi Glad24

I am sorry to hear about your sacral pain after the radiotherapy. 

This is something that needs checking. There are some rarer effects of pelvic radiotherapy that could be causing the pain, that would need investigating. It may be caused by something more minor, but you should not be experiencing such severe pain. 

Ideally I would suggest contacting the hospital as a first port of call. It may well be that a scan is needed and then the results would be back in time for your appointment with the oncologist. 

if not I would be asking for an urgent GP appointment.

Good Luck

Jane

Hi Jane 

Thank you for your most helpful advice. I have contacted my GP surgery and hopefully will get a referral for an xray at my local hospital tomorrow. Then when I go to my next Oncology appointment in three weeks, I will hopefully have a diagnosis.

Thanks again.