Bulging Vein - Did This Happen to You?

sheuber

Did any of you experience a bulging line in your armpit after having your lymph nodes removed? The line is painful and looks like it could be a vein or a tendon pushing out. Also, I've been experiencing tingling in that arm. It doesn't hurt so much as feel like a really mild case of pins and needles.

I'm not sure which doctor to talk to about this (oncologist, radiation doc or surgeon).  I'm really hoping it's not the start of lymphedema.

Any insight you can give would be much appreciated. 

KS1

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.  It sounds like axillary web syndrome or "cording."  Someone who is more knowledgeable will almost certainly answer you, but if it is cording, here is the StepUp site:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm 

--KS1 

kira66715

Sounds like cording to me: here's the link again

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm 

And Joe Zuther just blogged about it:

http://www.lymphedemablog.com/category/axillary-web-syndrome/

Kira

LizR

Thank you so much for publishing these links!  I am 6 1/2 years out since my mastectomy and have had a pulling pain in my arm on and for for years (not heaviness, just pulling).  Thursday I cleaned out the garage and my arm has really been bothering me ever since (all the way down to the base of my thumb).  The diagram on the Stepup website is exactly what I am experiencing - pain all the way down to my thumb.  What an eye opener (nice to know that I am not crazy!).  Glad to know that this is not lymphadema but now want to find a physical therapist who can maybe help me.  Best of luck to you! Liz

Binney4

Liz, it's usually lymphedema-trained therapists who are most knowledgeable about treating cording, so here's a link about finding one who's well-trained near you:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Sure hope you get some good help and real relief with this. Be well!
Binney

LizR

Thank you Binney!   I woke up to find my bad arm slightly swollen on Saturday morning (on the inside of my wrist).    Saw my primary doc on Monday (who suggested that I go out and purchase an Ace bandage and wrap my arm). Thank goodness for your post!  I followed your link and found a lymphedema specialist (LANA trained/certified)) and called my doc back for a script.  Spoke with the PT this morning and am scheduled to see her next Friday.  It has been about a week and my arm is getting better - but this is definitely a wake up call - time to be more proactive about caring for my arm.  Trying not to think too much about this - need to wait and see what happens at my evaluation next week.  Thanks to all of you ladies who are spreading the word about lymphedema and helping us catch this as early as possible.  Liz

mrsnjband

The tingling sounds like lymphedema, that is one of my symptoms. NJ

Binney4

Liz, good for you for acting so quickly. NO ACE bandages, though -- they're contra-indicated for lymphedema. (The bandages used in lymphedema therapy LOOK like those, but they have a very different stretch quality to them. An ACE bandage can actually cause more swelling by binding unevenly and creating a tourniquet effect.)

Here are some suggestions for what to do while you're waiting to see the therapist:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#while%20waiting

Keep us posted!
Binney