pain after RPLND

[mstlyn]

I have read about others that have had leg pain for several months after having RPLND.

Anthony started having leg "soreness" (left) a couple days ago. I was concerned about possible clot so I called U of M and the resident called us back. He said to mainly watch for redness and warmth, both non-existant.

He also woke up with back pain yesterday, but that is better now, and he started having "pins n needles" feeling in his toes/feet.

One thing I have not seen posted on here that Anthony is experiencing is for the last two nights, no matter which way he lays down he is uncomfortable or in pain. I don't think it is severe, but enough to keep him from getting a good night sleep.

If he lays on his back, it bothers him .. on his side, it bothers him AND he says it feels like organs are moving over when he lays on his side.

Anything like this happen to anyone else after RPLND?

[Scott]

Oh, yeah, discomfort while trying to sleep is a given for a while, but it will get better.

[mstlyn]

Oh, yeah, discomfort while trying to sleep is a given for a while, but it will get better.

Thanks Scott, this helps. Can't help but think "is it cancer" when he started complaining about these issues.

Is there anything that can be done to minimize the symptoms for a better night of sleep? Probably not, or you would have mentioned it.

Thought I'd ask anyway.

Tammy

[Scott]

I found that I was most comfortable on my side, holding a pillow against my stomach. (Anthony's mileage may vary.)

[Margaret]

more drastic of course, but you could always ask the doctor for a sleep aid if he is having trouble getting a good nights rest. These things should pass, Boyce had them too post RPLND, the body has been through a lot. Good luck on all fronts.

[k.strehle]

rplnd

oh sure and i have my surgery 7-12-07 in indy with dr. foster. hopefully he is open for morphine as i dont want to hurt anymore. how did surgery go? i take it it was nerve spareing.

[mstlyn]

oh sure and i have my surgery 7-12-07 in indy with dr. foster. hopefully he is open for morphine as i dont want to hurt anymore. how did surgery go? i take it it was nerve spareing.

My son's RPLND was not nerve sparing. Everything from the left side was removed, then nodes in the middle which were negative; so the nerves were spared on the right side.

Actually when I take my son to his follow-up appt. I have to have the surgeon clarify this for me once again, because I'm pretty sure that when he came out to talk to me after surgery, he said he left the right side alone. Then on another day when he came to check on my son at the hospital, he said "we spared the nerves on the right side"

In any event, the surgery went well.

He did have a really bad time due to the doctor allowing him to start drinking too soon. I think it was the 3rd day after surgery.

The bowel was still not ready and everything backed up, causing severe pain and violent vomiting. I suggest paying very close attention to those that say, nothing by mouth for 5 to 7 days. Just deal with the dry mouth.

[dadmo]

All that was allowed at for the first day was a moistened cotton swab then on day two ice chips were allowed in a very limited quantity.

[NavyHoldi99]

I can't say I've had much leg pain/ache. The aches I have experienced were on days that I didn't move around much. I find if I try to be mobile...my body doesn't bark at me as much.

Also...I sleep with a body pillow...one of those long 5 foot pillows. The first week back home I slept on my back with a bunch of pillows propping me up...like the bed at the hospital. Then I tried sleeping on my side with the body pillow and it's much better.

I also pop some percocet before bed to dull any aches and relax my body to help me sleep. Is he still taking any pain meds?

[Lori]

My husband had leg and back pain that kept him up at night for a while. His RPLND was around thanksgiving and when we saw Dr. Foster for a 30 day followup he said it could take up to a year. He also said the pain is normal, although he doesn't know what causes it. My husband was better by late Jan. Glad all went well with Anthony's surgery!

[MRMRSU]

Numbness in thigh

Hi! My husband Andy is 9-weeks post-RPLND and he's been experiencing numbness in his right thigh and below his belly-button. We've raised this issue with our doctor who seemed surprised that that sensation hasn't subsided yet, but from what everyone's saying on this thread, sounds like it could be a while longer.

Best wishes to you and Anthony, we hope you are in good spirits!

P.S. Tylenol PM has been working pretty well for Andy if you want something over-the-counter.

[oscar666]

Hi

Hi Tammy & Anthony,

Do you take any pain medications now (how long after RPLND) ?
I think, the troubles you describe, are side effects. They should NOT be connected to the cancer itself.
I am just several days after RPLND. Generally I am OK, but always some pain could appear (and stay pretty long) here or there.
Walking and light exercises are very helpful for me.

Everything will be fine! Just needs some time!

[MRMRSU]

It goes away. Mine in both place did indeed take a while.

Hi Robert: How long did it actually take for you to get sensation back? The thigh is what bothers Andy most...I think he's concerned about it because he's looking forward to being able to go running again...even though we don't quite know yet when that will actually be.

[mstlyn]

Hi Tammy & Anthony,

Do you take any pain medications now (how long after RPLND) ?
I think, the troubles you describe, are side effects. They should NOT be connected to the cancer itself.
I am just several days after RPLND. Generally I am OK, but always some pain could appear (and stay pretty long) here or there.
Walking and light exercises are very helpful for me.

Everything will be fine! Just needs some time!

Hey guy! Good to see a post from you again! I'm glad you are doing well since your surgery.

Anthony does still take pain meds ..

He had is follow up with his surgeon yesterday and he said that all of his symptoms "leg pain, pins & needles feeling in the feet/toes, numbness around the navel area" are all from the surgery and should return to normal in time.

He also said that for the pins n needles feeling there is something that can be taken for it (not pain medication) if it is too bothersome. I forget what he said it was, and Anthony said its just annoying but he can deal with it, so he is not taking anything for that.

Anthony also said that when he lays on his side sometimes it feels like organs are moving. Doctor said that is just because of the bowel being taken out and placed back in the abdomen; and its just settling back in.

Welcome back from RPLND

[k.strehle]

dr. foster

lori

how did you two like dr. foster? i meet him 7-11 and surgery 7-12. hopefully he is open for pain meds. did you meet with dr. einhorn? hope all is well and getting better

kendall