Severe pain in back hip leg and knee after total abdominal hysterectomy and brachytherapy

Hello harrietden

I'm sorry to read that you're struggling with hip pain etc. It sounds like your doctor's are being thorough by ordering an MRI but I can understand your frustration that it will take 6 weeks or so to get an appointment. Just wondered, have the doctor's prescribed any painkillers at all? If not, do ask for something as you shouldn't have to be in pain for that length of time. Also, have you asked your nurse specialist or the doctors about whether physiotherapist could help? Some areas have access to physiotherapists  who specialise in treating patients who've had cancer and your nurse will know if this is available in your area. Do give your nurse a call and hopefully she'll be able to offer some help. I hope the pain eases soon. Take care and please let us know how you get on x

Hello 

thank you for your reply

ive spoken with the nurse and doctor about painkillers. Thing is, not only do I not like taking them( who does I guess? ) but I’m reluctant to take them until I know what it is. I’m just alarmed at the time these things take?

i also asked about physio and they won’t do that until they’ve done the mri....... going round in circles I feel.X  and meanwhile I’m in pain! 

Oh dear, harrietden. That’s not great. I understand your reluctance to take pain killers as I’m the same., I hope they can maybe speed up your MRI - could you ask for a short notice cancellation appointment? So sorry I couldn’t help. Thinking of you and sending some gentle hugs x

Thank you x 

Hello, I can relate to your post. I finished brachytherapy and RT x25 in February. I also had gynae surgery. My knees and legs constantly ache. I have been using ibrufen gel but its not doing much. GP says its arthritis but I didn't have it before being diagnosed with cancer. I am wondering if its related to the radiotherapy?

Best wishes Brenda

Hello Harrietden.  I had Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy for cervical cancer.  I also had the pains you mention, back pain started 2 days after the first Brachythefapy session and gradually went to my buttocks legs and then my pain carried on down to my feet.  Two MRIs showed nothing wrong though clearly there was.  I saw two different consultants privately who both said it was foot drop caused by the chemotherapy/radiotherapy. And that there was a nerve break in the leg, that it wouldn't get better but would Get worse  My Oncologist said it was due to wear!!    I had a Nerve Conduction Studies last week and was told that the nerves were not broken in the legs but they were damaged in the right side of my pelvis caused by the radiation.  He said it would Get better as the nerves will grow again but can take up to two years.  So I carry on with my physiotherapy that I started a few weeks ago to get the muscles stronger happy in the knowledge that one day the pain will stop and I can stop taking Tramadol and Gabapentin which work for nerve pain, together and not separately....I have found.