After radiotherapy

Hi Sandra

Welcome to the Womb group. 

I am sorry to hear that you are having some bad pain in your lower pelvis.

I remember my radiotherapists and also my CNS saying that with those symptoms to contact them and they would likely get me in for a scan. 

Is it your GP who said it could be compensatory pain or your oncologist? If it was your GP I would be inclined to contact your CNS and ask for some advice, specifically asking could it be a pelvic insufficiency fracture. It may well be that it is compensatory pain after your knee injury but I would think it wise to rule out anything else. 

Jane

Hi Sandra, fellow radiotherapy recipient here! I’m not sure how old you are, but, given my age at the time (62) and my hypothyroidism history, my oncologist arranged a routine bone density scan after my treatment to check things out. Are you still having in person check ups or are you on patient led follow up? I was on three monthly check ups for the first two years so raised any concerns at those appointments.

Aw thank you. I’m 60 and on patent led care  

Hi Sandra

If you are on patient led care I would advise contacting your CNS in the first instance and ask about a possible scan/appointment

Jane

Afternoon Sandra123,

I have had a similar experience (without the knee trouble) but a more sympathetic GP. I also had a frozen shoulder at the same time and as a side sleeper had real difficulty with sleep.

I had surgery for Endometrial cancer in November 2023 followed by 25 sessions of external beam radiotherapy and 2 of brachytherapy between Feb and the beginning of April 2024. I started to have lower back pain in June 2024 - a  line around my back between my 2 side radiotherapy tattoos was the general area where I had pain. It got progressively worse and impacted on my mobility - felt like I could barely lift my feet off the ground and found it difficult to negotiate kerbs. My GP sent me for an MRI scan and the results indicated stress fractures in the sacrum. I asked the GP if I could have osteoporosis from the radiotherapy and arranged for a DEXA scan . Results did show I had osteoporosis. I was prescribed a daily vitamin D3 capsule and Alendronic acid (once a week) prescribed after I had had all my dental work completed( took the decision to have teeth extracted that needed root canal work which would have to be repeated again at some point in the future which would require me to stop taking the Alendronic acid as it can cause problems with the jaw bone). GP suggest physio and i did the necessary to arrange an appointment. While waiting for the appointment there was improvement but felt something go again when loading the washing machine. When I did see a physio, she arranged for another MRI which showed  another stress fracture in the vertebrae above the sacrum. Back pain frequently in that area particularly after a long walk or if i have done some gardening. Another thing that will pop up now and then. Cancer is the gift that keeps giving 

Think I would ask the question again and ask if they will arrange an MRI to confirm or not. Would also ask about bone density (DEXA scan). Better to be aware sooner rather than later. Maybe mention it at your next review appointment if you have no joy with your GP - anything discussed at my review appointment is always fed back to my GP and if your CNS (or ONS) thinks you should have a scan i think they would ask the GP to arrange it.

Hope this helps

I had radiotherapy finished just over a year ago. My oncologist said before starting treatment it would be a good idea to have a Dexa scan after 1 year. I dont have any issues, but at my last review I mentioned it to him, and he was happy to arrange, rather than me going to GP to ask. As it happens got message re appt today. If you are having issues I would definitely ask. 

Oh thank you I was in horrendous pain I couldn’t walk with knee then the other side back and pelvis. At one point I just sat and cried as I couldn’t even get up from sofa. I am slightly better but after walking it is still painful but more of a dull ache rather than the absolute unbearable pain. I contacted my cancer nurse and she was amazing and slightly annoyed at the treatment from gp. I have had an mri and waiting on results. Surely we can’t just always have pain when walking? I used to be very active doing gym etc and I really just want to get my life back. I feel awful saying that but it’s been a really bad year and a half and when I’m am stuck in the house I don’t do well mentally. I’ve still not had mri fo knee so 4 months down the line with that also. X