Numbness in legs after radiation

[nobaday]

I had radiation to Mets T8 to T12 2 weeks ago. I still have numbness and tingling in legs. I can walk but not properly. And balance is bad. No real pain but just soreness in back after minimal exercise eg cutting the grass, 15 mins on stationary bike etc

Had felt slight loss of balance and some minor back pain progressing the 2 weeks before radiation. After radiation I tried 3 days of 4mg dexamethasone for inflammation reduction but made me throw up and I chose to discontinue as not helping numbness. Continue to take 50mg to 100mg of NSAID Indomethicin daily…have minimal back pain. But seems like something pushing on nerves? CT scans over past year showed no apparent progression and no apparent spinal compression but a month ago I started feeling minor continuous back pain suggesting back Mets growing so obvious progression in my opinion. So I requested radiation.

With rod in back from surgery 4 years ago CT scans not the clearest in the T8 to T12 region.

I was told to wait 5 weeks b4 having a scan. I think I will request an MRI ASAP.

Maybe by 5 weeks any ongoing inflammation will subside and with exercising I will lose the numbness and be able to play soccer/ ski again ???

It took me 6 months after back surgery 4 years ago to be able to walk properly again… but I had no numbness / tingling down to my toes like currently.

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[Walkingwell]

Surely scans will show some answers, in the meantime, I'd say do what exercise you can, go easy on yourself and be patient. I have some numbness and tingling 1 year after spine surgery, but gradually getting better, slowly, with ups and downs. Soccer and skiing will wait for you.

[nobaday]

Yes good reply. Typically I think I have to wait 5 to 6 weeks for any inflammation to subside. before an MRI. Having a rod in there at T9 also can make it harder to interpret scans. Yes I think I am SLOWLY improving. No pain.One guy on this site had proton radiation to a rib and is in 8 out of 10 pain after THREE months.

Surgery is more invasive and it took me 6 months to start playing soccer after I had surgery. I think I told you. Are you playing soccer again now?