Ovarian cancer severe leg pain affecting mobility

Hi there,

I don't know if you can help but I'm pretty much desparate for some advice.  My mother has stage 4 ovarian cancer, clear cell, the consultant gave her about 6 months in June 21.  In the last week she has developed a problem with her left leg, it's painful in the thigh muscle, and is affecting her ability to walk and she can no longer climb the stairs.  The pain started in her groin and lower back and is now most pronounced in the left thigh, and is saying it feels numb when she touches it.  The GP (who hasn't examined her) has given her co-dyromol and we ended up in A&E on 28 Aug due to pain.  They gave her a prescription for a higher dose co-dyromol and this is helping a bit with the pain.  They did an xray on her back, abdomen and leg and have said they can't see any issues with the bones to suggest the cancer has spread to the bones.  My main issue is that they don't know what is wrong, they haven't done a scan and I wonder if this would help us understand what is actually causing the issue.  What I wanted to know is, if it's cancer related can the symptoms suddenly come on as they have done here, and can cancer cause a non-bone problem?  The hospice and GP between them haven't been of great help and I feel like we are being humoured.  Is there something that you could recommend next that we could ask for if the pain doesn't get better.  Many thanks

  • Hello and thank you for posting

    I'm very sorry to hear of the distress you must both be in regarding this situation and that you don't feel your mother is getting the support she needs.

    It's difficult for anyone to say what may be causing the pain, although it's certainly possible that the cancer may be pressing on some nerves resulting in pain. It sounds like the hospice should be advising you further regarding the pain and whether the next step up in painkillers should be considered as they usually advise in symptom control issues. There are many different types of painkillers and usually an assessment would need to be done to see what may work best.

    It may also be an idea to get in touch with the nurse or consultant at the hospital to mention these new symptoms and to discuss whether scans would be able to show what may be causing the pain.

     Alternatively, you could also ask about your mother being referred to a pain clinic to try and assess and control the pain she is having.

    I do hope you manage to speak to someone soon about this

    If you would like to talk this through with one of us , please do ring - Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the very best to you and your mother

    Wanda

  • Thank you for your response.  The hospice haven't helped at all, but we will try the consultant as he did leave the door open to go and see him again should we wish to.