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marjie
marjie Member Posts: 1,134
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Lumpectomy and snb in August of 2010 followed by chemo and rads. I am active but have suddenly developed cording under my arm.  Its very sore - I have always stuggled with decreased range of motion since rads but have been stretching it out.  Now I notice when I lift my arm...one cord for sure.

Should I be concerned?Surprised

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    Not really, but get some PT for it.

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  • Crescent5
    Crescent5 Member Posts: 442
    edited May 2012

    Not sure why it would happen to you now, but cording is a pretty easy fix with a good PT. There's a lot of soft tissue massage, and it's very relaxing therapy. Get to a PT asap. =)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2012

    Hi Marjie,

    There's some really helpful information on the main Breastcancer.org site on Axillary Web Syndrome (Cording).

    Hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Mods, I never knew there was a page on bc.org on AWS

    Here's the link to the page on stepupspeakout--our main difference is that we don't advise the use of the low level laser, especially in early AWS

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

    Kira

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited May 2012
    Weird that this is just coming up for you.  I'm experiencing the same thing!

    My diagnosis is in my siggy...I really didn't think I would be dealing with this at this point.

    I can see some cording in my armpit.  And I have some swelling in my forearm.  It was in my elbow area and now it's more towards my wrist.  :(

    I see a LE specialist tomorrow.  I won't even get into what my onc said.  I was seriously pissed when I left his office. 
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  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Mods and everyone!  I've read up on all your advice and information, spoke to a doctor and it was suggested I go see an RMT who is trained in lymphatic massage....so that is what I will do.  Apparently this is one of those SE's that is a little mysterious...can come and go at any time.  Most of the ladies I know (I belong to an organization of 75 breast cancer survivors) had cording right after surgery, it went away and very few had problems although sometimes it comes and goes.  I also know a woman who developed LE 4 years after her surgery and treatment....that's what has me a little worried!

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2012

    Marjie,  I went to a PT trained in lymp. in march/april.  I also developed a cord, and with gentle exercise, and her massage it ended up going away.  She did say not to be surprised if it comes and goes (first time I noticed it was in Dec, but it went away before my original sched appt.   For me, I believe repetitive motions may bring it on, so I'm extra careful with remembering to switch hands (of course, its my left arm, and I'm left handed)   Have measurements  of your arm, hand, taken, if you haven't already, so you have a baseline.  Hope that cord disappears for good!

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  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited May 2012

    I visited an RMT on Friday - LOVELY!!  She did some all over work and then concentrated on my surgery side for lymphatic massage - she said there was a little fluid starting to build up so it was a good thing I was catching it.  I'll see her again in a few weeks, and in the meantime she showed me how to massage my lymph area and keep the fluid away.

    As for the cord...yeah, it's my understanding that they come and go, I was just surprised that my first one showed up 2 years after the fact!  I'm working very hard on my paddling so that could possibly have brought it on perhaps - wish me luck as I am trying out for the national squad!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited May 2012

    Marj just to let you know I had some pretty major cording on the right and  just a little on the left. I have LE on the left, not on the right. I do strength train but nothing like what you do!

    I hope s/he is giving you stretching exercises to do at home. It really does make a difference.

    Hope you make the national squad.

    (BTW will get back to you on the hair issue. Need to take a photo for you today but yes the bangs are long and straight).

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2012

    Marjie, YOU GO GIRL!!! Good luck, hope you make the national squad.

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