burning sensation down my legs

fullofquestions

Hi,

I am brand new in the community, but grateful to be here.  In November of last year I was diagnosed with DCIS, Stage 0.  It was less than 4mm in size and removed with clear margins.  I figured the lumpectomy would be enough, but then discovered that I would need 33 radiation treatments.  I just finished treatment #25, so I am very close to the end.  Side effects have been minimal, but today I noticed that I had a burning sensation at the top of my leg, on the same side as the treatments.  It seems to be a nerve.  In the past few hours, the sense of burning nerves has continued and gravitated to the top of the other leg.  Is this normal?  Any ideas are appreciated!

Faith316

Could be totally unrelated to breast cancer.  Sometimes disc problems in your back can cause sciatic nerve pain down the leg.  Talk to your doctor if not better soon.  Good luck.

fullofquestions

Thanks, Faith316. 

Eloise

Might it also be related to the way you're having to lie during treatment ?

 BTW, I have a very similar story -- 4 mm DCIS with good margins and no necrosis, so my surgeon thought radiation wasn't necessary (and I told all my friends, family, and colleagues that I was done) but when I saw the radiation oncologist a month later, he disagreed, and persuaded me to go for it.  Glad your side effects have been minimal -- I'm going in for my simulation tomorrow and hope I can say the same in two months! 

fullofquestions

Yes, Eloise, it is crazy to think that a Stage 0 cancer that is the size of a pencil eraser results in needing 33 radiation treatments.  It was hard for me to accept.  In fact, I ended up blogging about my experience, and Eloise, I bet you will identify with it!  Just FYI, it is http://beingfullypresent.blogspot.com 

 I think that the sensation in my legs might be related to gaining weight and the swelling.  Clothes are just tighter than they used to be.  I was at the high end of average when I started, but my little Wii Fit Plus scale tells me I am now "OVERWEIGHT"!  Not a happy day.  I am committed to exercising for 30 minutes every day, but I am not as disciplined as I need to be about no salt, no sugar and other wise measures to fight cancer.

 Today, I did manage to get up at 5AM and do 30 minutes of aerobics on my recumbent tramp.  I have heard that helps with moving the lymphatic fluids.  I had to fight hard to just do the first ten minutes, but I broke up the 30 minutes into 10 minute segments and that helped.  

Has anyone else struggled with gaining weight during this process?