I am so tired of fighting this pain! RT in Jan 2011. Since then; now have burning sensation in heels, feels like my feet are tight fists, knees hurting, pain in foot pads. I do have some new nodules. My right foot pad looks swollen from profile view. I don't know what to do anymore. Seems like I have to take pain pills more and more often and that doesn't even alleviate the problem. Especially on the right foot the nodules are so large this not much foot left to walk with.
The cords are so much more visible since RT and they seems thick with numerous nodules.
Is surgery my only option right now? I am getting tired of getting up every morning!
Debbie

Hi Debbie
Sorry to hear you are going through all of this . I have been wondering how things are going for you.

I felt similar and it helped me to consult with a sports physician and also the treating radiation oncologist (Prof S) to find out what was going on was normal and expected reaction or not. I don't know if you have done so or not? Support in terms of understanding what's going on is important as it takes the stress out of it and will also help you to make decisions about your next course of action.

Are you in a position to see a sports physician? They are family practitioners specialised in working on functionality and can also advise about what's going on with your feet in terms of pain and discomfort. I was really happy to find one who (although the cost was higher than a family practitioner) spent a whole hour talking the condition through and working out how to manage the condition.

In my case, it turned out that for some reason or another, my feet were quite inflamed following the RT (not expected or "normal"), but the other reactions were good signs that the RT was working.

Hang in there and don't go to the surgery option until you have exhausted every other avenue!

I hope this helps

Di

debrr:

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I am so tired of fighting this pain! RT in Jan 2011. Since then; now have burning sensation in heels, feels like my feet are tight fists, knees hurting, pain in foot pads. I do have some new nodules. My right foot pad looks swollen from profile view. I don't know what to do anymore. Seems like I have to take pain pills more and more often and that doesn't even alleviate the problem. Especially on the right foot the nodules are so large this not much foot left to walk with.
The cords are so much more visible since RT and they seems thick with numerous nodules.
Is surgery my only option right now? I am getting tired of getting up every morning!
Debbie

Hey Debbie
That's what this forum is all about .

It's hard to do exercise when in pain, but somehow it helps you to feel better - a paradox. I know how hard it was for me to get motivated when I had the inflammation after the 1st round of RT. But maybe you could try swimming or paddling or something that doesn't involve feet as this would give you that feel-good feeling and let you escape your feet for a while. Put your i-Pod on high and try and forget about those damn nodules for an hour...

At least this way the rest of you can stay fit while you work out what to do about this crazy condition.

Take care and keep us posted!

Di

debrr:

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Thanks so much for the support, Flora and Di! It sure helps to know you are not alone, although I do not wish this on ANYONE!

I hate being such a whiner! But I am really feeling defeated and hopeless.

That's the problem, Di, I have absolutely NO idea what my next course of action should be!!! Walking seems almost unbearable any more.. Even thinking about doing anything on my feet has become more and more dreadful. In the meantime, no exercise at all, so I feel like the rest of my body is wasting away along with my feet! I went to a physical therapist prior to RT and she said as long as my feet are in this shape she couldn't so anything for me.

When it gets this bad, is surgery my only option now? There is hardly any part of my right foot especially, that is NOT affected now.