Since John's last rad tx[7-8-05] he has experienced lots of tingling in arms and legs. I had read enough here to not be surprised about that. But what has happened over the last 2 weeks is that his hands and fingers are swelling and have no strength. It takes both hands for him to pick up a glass or hold a toothbrush,can hardly use a pencil. His legs ache also. He's sleeping most of the time. Anyone here have these problems ? Thanks, Amy

Hi Amy,

Jerry's last rad tx was 5/8/05 and sometime after that he did complain for a few weeks about tingling in his arms and legs (or I think it was more his hands and feet) but it seems to have gone away now. He asked both the surgeon and R.O. about it when it was happening and they said it had nothing to do with either the surgery or radiation. (Yeah, well maybe but...) Anyway, I know the chemo can cause peripheral neuropathy in some people but he didn't have chemo. He didn't have the swelling, weakness or leg aching you describe. He was very fatigued and still is though.

Thanks, cclark. Funny thing-John's surgeon told his 2 weks ago that his spinal cord did receive some radiation and thus the tingling. About his hands,beside being swollen they are a pale white, like no blood flow is getting to them . It really worrying me. Amy

Hi Amy,
As cclark mentioned, peripheral neuropathy is what came to my mind when you mentiioned tingling and aches...but given the radiation to the spine, that adds another potential culprit. I've been taking my mom to a neurologist to deal with similar symptoms. Hopefully this is just a temporary side effect. The oncology team should be able to refer you to a neurologist familiar with cancer treatment related side effects and how to manage them.
Best wishes,
Dave

Amy, I've been thinking about you and John. Have things improved? Connie

Hi Connie, in a work-no. After a phone consult with one of the otolaryngology nurses, I took John to our family doc. He has a fever, which my Vicks Digital therm. did not pick up.Since it won't go under his tongue, I'm going tomorrow to find a ear one. So we started antibiotics. The hand swelling was attributed to carpel tunnel. I am not comfortable with that diag. The weakness in his legs was not addressed. We are waiting on result of thyroid and white blood count test. Get those Wed. I am finding the "after effects" of Rad confusing, and it is really hard to know where to turn if there were other health issues present befor the cancer treatment started. Right now, trying not to panic is the main goal. Thanks for asking. Amy

Amy, I hope you're able to get some good answers soon. I hate having to wait for days on end to hear the result of a test or just to get an answer from the doctor about a concern.
Take care and I'll hope for healing and good solutions for John's issues. Connie

Amy like u I found the time after Chemo and Rad was over to be the worst part. Not knowing who to go to for what and feeling like it was all up to me to get to the right place. My mom also had the numbness and tingling of her arms and legs. and swelling, we were sent to a neuroligist and all we really found out was that is was neuropthy from being diabetic. I didnt really go for that.
After she died I had to get all her medical records and after reading through them I found out she had some pretty nasty infections going on. But the results were never found out because she had been dicharged from hospital. I guess we fell through the cracks. I hope things quiet down for u and i hope u find out for sure whats going on.

Thanks, Karen. I'm feeling like there are some pretty wide cracks out thee also. It's really scarey. But this forum helps so much. Amy