Cording/lymphedema again

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DFC1994
DFC1994 Member Posts: 163
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi,

I am interested in hearing from anyone who is or has been bothered with cording.I just started therapy again yesterday fir it,this is my 3rd time having this in a year.The first was not long after my mx.It was in the armpits and ran down to my elbows,the 2nd time was last fall and this time it was just under my left breast and ran down over my abdomen.This one is to the side of my breat in the drain scar area and runs downward.there is 2 cords.They are so sore and now I can feel a little lump at the end of one cord about the size of a BB.I saw my primary Dr Wednesday,he said to watch the little lump and he ordered the therapy.It helped when they were in my armpits so I hope this helps.Last fall I let it resolve on its own and it took 3 months.I would love to know what causes this and how to prevent it.I had an ultrasound on the area's last fall and they decided it is clogged up lymph vessels or blood vessels caused from lymphedema,I have local swelling around the cords and lumpiness but no lymphedema in my arms. Any input would be appreciated,especially those of you who have experienced this.

Thanks so much

Dee

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited February 2011

    Dee, it can recur, and although sometimes people call cording on the side "Mondor's disesase" which is more a vein issue than a lymph vessel issue, I think it's all cording--which are injured, clotted lymph vessels.

    Hard to know why it recurs, I've had it twice--once after surgery and once after trying some theraband exercises.

    We did put a page on stepupspeakout, and I hope it helps--I heard an amazing lecture on cording/axillary web syndrome from Jodi Winicour PT from Klose Training at the National Lymphedema Network Conference--and cording is associated with lymphedema, because those cords are lymphatic deep collector vessels, and they're not doing their job. Often if the cording is treated or resolves, the swelling goes away or gets better.

    Here two links: one on axillary web/cording, and one on how to find a qualified lymphedema PT who can treat cording (but call first not all LE PT's know how to treat cords--and snapping them is not recommended--stretching is.)

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

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

    Let me know if that doesn't answer your questions.

    Kira

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