think developing axillary cording - need advice

pamelahope

I had a bilateral mastectomy on September 24 with a full axillary dissection on my left side. I don't think I have lymphadema and I have no swelling. However, I think I am developing axillary cording. It appear localized in my armpit. My arm looks normal but if I feel underarm I feel a vein. It is only palpable in my armpit. Small area. I can't extend my arm straight. I told my breast surgeon and he said to begin wall exercises this Thursday.

It could be this is normal after axillary dissection and it goes away.

How can I heal my arm??? Is this normal?

Pam

kira66715

Pamela, it's very, very common. It's due to clotted lymphatic vessels and occasionally veins due to the trauma. Let me put in a link to our site's information about it.

It tends to get better with time, and overhead stretching will help, and as you are barely 10 days post op, please be careful, as the lymphatics are delicate structures and have a 10-14 day time frame to reconnect, and you don't want to disrupt that. 

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

A good LE therapist can help, if they are familiar with treating axillary web/cording--you don't want them to pop the cords, just loosen them.

Kira

akaimi

Oct. 3, 2012 I had accessory breast tissue excised from my right armpit (like a mini mastecomy) and a few lymph nodes removed. Everything this far had been normal, no signs of cancer. I have yet to undergo the same procedure on the left side.

One side effect I was never told about, and had never heard of wax axillary cording. Holy cow, THIS HURTS!!!

I've developed a recurring seroma and have had over 160 cc's of fluid aspirated- surgeon finally decided to insert a drain yesterday after I started running a fever.

Now... The cording issue, which was hidden underneath the seroma, so I couldn't feel it until yesterday. I've been on the couch with a heating pad trying to stretch it out as much as possible. After 30 minutes, I am able to lift my arm parallel to my head, which I couldn't do at all before. I'm really angry I wasn't told about this and it's a rude, painful surprise!

Binney4

And he put you on antibiotics, yes, Akaimi?

The heating pad could be problematic. Heat (and cold too) draws lymph fluid to the site and overwhelm your compromised lymph system. You could try a warm (not hot!) compress instead. I'm so sorry for these nasty surprises! 

Hooray for no signs of cancer! Be well!
Binney

fredntan

My cording finally went away. My PT showed me what to do

SuperFoob

I also had cording. I think it started because I began stretching and (over)exercising my arm too soon after surgery.

I have had it twice now. It also came back when I started back at work. Again, too much too soon.

Please try to schedule an appt. with a Physical Therapist that is trained for Lymphedema and Cording. My PT not only stretched and massaged it out gradually (I could hear the popping and then immediate relief). She also taught me proper lymph massage and how to stretch and exercise correctly.
BTW: I have never had Lymphedema. The cording felt like a thick guitar string/piano wire extending from my axillary scar, down my arm and to my thumb. It couldn't be felt all the way down just in sections. However, I couldn't stretch my arm out straight nor angle my wrist at all. Slowly, with help from my PT, it gradually got better over a couple of months.