[JayU]

Extreme pain & discomfort in leg

by JayU on Thu Oct 10, 2013 1:47 am

I am hoping someone can help! My mother has recently been diagnosed with myeloma. She has gone through radiation treatment and four rounds of chemo.

She is experiencing extreme discomfort and pain in her right leg and is given morphine and gabapentin to help. These only seem to work when it wants to because some days she is fine and can do things for herself and on others she cannot move. The doctors are not able to locate the source of the pain and keep giving her drugs that don't seem to work.

Today she was given a cortisone injection and fingers crossed this will solve the pain. I am skeptical, because up until this point they have been guessing as to what the cause may be.

Should we get a neurologist, physio or chiropractor involved? Has anyone experienced this themselves or know anyone who has? Anyone's help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[NStewart]

Re: Extreme pain & discomfort in leg

by NStewart on Thu Oct 10, 2013 1:10 pm

Has she had any scans of her spine and/or leg - x-ray, MRI, PET/CT? If she is having problems in her spine, it could be putting pressure on the nerves to her leg. Has she been checked for blood clots in her leg or groin with an ultrasound? That also can be another source of severe leg pain. A neurologist might be a good idea. Don't go to a PT or chiropractor without first finding the cause of the pain. After the pain is under control and the cause may have been identified, then PT might be good to help her get stronger again.
Nancy in Phila

[JayU]

Re: Extreme pain & discomfort in leg

by JayU on Sat Oct 12, 2013 12:43 am

She has had x rays and MRI scans. According to the doctors things are looking good and the tumor is shrinking. It's just the pain in her muscles that are are getting her down, it's as if she is getting an electrical shock each time she has a sudden movement. I was rubbing her shin last night and could feel a small knot in the muscle which was giving her shock pains in her foot. I will suggest an ultra sound and see what happens from there. Thanks for the suggestion

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: Extreme pain & discomfort in leg

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:07 pm

Dear JayU,

Was an MRI done of the leg, lower spine or both? It sounds as though there may be a pinched nerve in the lower back (perhaps from a myeloma lesion). This should be sorted out. An MRI at the site of pain (of the leg) may also provide valuable information. An ultrasound to exclude a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) is advisable, though her symptoms would be atypical for this. Lastly, Revlimid can occasionally cause fairly severe muscle spasms that can be debilitating in some patients. Is she having charley horses (muscle cramping) in her calf and/or foot?

Thanks and hang in there!

Pete V.

[Covelo]

Re: Extreme pain & discomfort in leg

by Covelo on Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:17 pm

I am on Velcade, dex, cytoxan and get lower leg pain. Usually begins on day 4 after treatment and lasts 2-3 days. It is a strong ache that is made worse by any pressure on the backs of my thighs. Calf cramping usually occurs at the same time. Walking or sitting with legs elevated is about the only thing that helps a little. No relief from tylenol. Then it just goes away until the next week.