After going through radiation treatments for prostate cancer, I quit going to follow-up visits with my radiation doctor because he seemed wholly unaware or unconcerned about any after-effects. Despite the fact that they had me sign a paper acknowledging possible complications, he seemed to believe there were none, and would summarily dismiss the problems that I reported to him.
@Beth Gallagher My removed nodes were from the abdomen, the area surrounding the removed cancerous section IE, the appendix, ascending colon, right colic flexure, and a small part of the transverse colon, about 1/3 of the entire colon. The transverse colon was then attached to the small intestines. My bathroom response time was reduced by 33.33%. It took about a year to get the upper abdomen, under boob and arm lymphedema under control. It affects my right side the most.
I didn't want to "like" that post considering all you had to go through, but wanted you to know I read it, @Faye Fox . Honestly I'm surprised you didn't have LE in your leg(s) or lower body, since a lot of abdominal surgeries have that as a side-effect. I'm glad you don't because that is terrible to try to control. (And how weird that you have it in your arm!) A couple of women on the BC forum have lymphedema with NO nodes surgically removed; I assume due to radiation. There is a surgical option for LE treatment where they "transplant" nodes, like moving nodes from the groin to the armpit. I told them "NO WAY" to that one; I don't want to cause a problem somewhere else when they remove the donor node. Ugh.
If anyone is so inclined, please urge your representatives in Congress to consider this bill... H.R.3630 - Lymphedema Treatment Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3630/all-info This will allow treatment and compression garments to be covered by Medicare, as it should have always been.
Sigh, damned we are either way it seems. Medications we take, they help in many ways, but at the same time leave us prone to other side effect issues. Since my ESF diagnosis two years ago, my legs are left very weak, and have neuropathy in my feet from toes down, mid portion of feet. Even my arms are not very strong. I really believe many of the meds I was on at least helped cause this. Presidion is wonderful drug, but leaves you with other issues also. I sympathize with those of you who have gone thru much worse, but have no answer either.
So true, G. I'm sure I'd rather have a swollen arm than be dead right now for refusing cancer treatment. I just wish I had known all the facts about treatment... or maybe I don't. I'm sorry that you have to deal with neuropathy after treatment; it's a very unpleasant side-effect.
This is probably just a coincidence, but when I saw the link in Tony's post it reminded me. I've always had trouble with leg cramps. But recently it got much worse, almost every night. About a month ago I woke up with feet and legs burning, stabbing pains, pins and needles, in addition to cramps. Never had that happen before. Those seem to be some symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (PN). Anyway, I started taking vitamin B12, 1000 mcg every day, because one time my Dr. said seniors need higher levels of B12. Even the leg cramps stopped. I quit for a while and the cramps started to come back, so I started taking it again. No cramps. I'm tempted to go off the B12 again for a long time to see what happens, but I don't really want it to happen again. I notice the supplement in Tony's link has B vitamins (2, 6 and 12). B12 may be worth a try for someone with PN and no other underlying causes. I don't think you can take too much B12. Just a thought.
I think this is neuropathy . On both feet across the foot pad it is sometimes tingling . When i walk feels like small rocks under me. The intentisty comes and goes. i use deep massage on my feet and that helps, I am into reflexology anyway and know that helps me. I do get severe leg cramps, and have restless leg syndrome. I do not take anything for that. I can handle a simple leg cramp, but the one the other night ,relly was a killer.Sometimes it goes up further than my whole leg. I take a good one a day type vitamin, and fearlful of adding supplements,that may mess with meds. I like the grapseed information, but my meds do contain some blood thinners, plus i take low dose asprin.
I do electrolytes in my water everyday called Endure, but I also do Magnesium 500 mg twice a day (worked up to that from 100 twice a day starting 18 months ago). I have no no pain in toes or tingling now, and seldom have any leg cramps. Hope this might help you too. I do have Type 2 Diabetes and do Ketogenic Diet so may be a totally different thing than you do, or have.
Magnesium can help with cramping, as can calcium and stretching exercises can help with Restless Leg and with neuropathy. You should be able to find the appropriate stretches on YouTube. Some people use Yoga to address both issues, and there may be someone here who can guide you with that.
Just an afterthought on the B12. Seniors often have trouble absorbing B12, especially those with a history of stomach or digestive issues. That is why medical B12 is often given by injection. There are sublingual B12 lozenges that are absorbed directly into the tissues under the tongue, which is far better than going through the stomach in those with stomach troubles especially.
Make sure you take the Methyl B12 and for a while I slacked off the the lowness came up in my last labs....I'm now taking 1500mcg Methyl B12 Methylcobalamin is a bioidentical form of naturally occurring B12. Unlike its cousin, cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin is already in a biologically active form, so it can metabolize and get to work much faster.
If you have normal capacities, you can convert. If you don't, then use Methyl but be aware of overage.