Cording (post-mastectomy)

Thanks everybody, this is all very helpful. I am in Adelaide, and would love your recommendation Bardoe. I'm only a few weeks away from finishing radiation and I'd like to get on to this as soon as I finish that.

My cording only developed months after my surgery, but it seems to be not only persistent but worsening. I can't do 'downward dog' in my yoga practice and it's driving me nuts! In the meantime I will do the self-massage and continue with the stretching exercises.

Thanks again, your collective wisdom is so useful! x Heather

I first had cording after surgery which improved after about 4 weeks of gentle stretching but during week 5 of radiation the cording suddenly reappeared.  I have since had great success with laser treatment by my lymphodema physio specialist.  good luck with this.

 Yes I had scanning light laser for  aches/ pains/ swelling post surgery/ radiation.

There are small hand held ones and larger ones, where you lie on bed and machine moves over you. It is painless.

 It also helped to soften my scars more quickly.

I go a couple of times a year now, as necessary. I find gentle water therapy good and also I do manual lymphatic drainage daily and pace myself now.

I hope you get some relief soon,

Kathy.

Hiya

If you have any local physio's that specialise in lymphodema treatment, they usually have knowledge of AWS treatment and have lasers that can also help.

If your in Adelaide, I can recommend mine?

But dont try physio's in general as its not a widely known or recognised ailment.

I had a bad experience, as orginally i could not get an appt with my physio as they were so busy, so tried finding a short term option,  but he did not acknowledge the condition and was really rude and unprofessional by stating that my arm restriction was caused by lack of correct exercises after surgery! Outrageous and arrogant thinking.

anyway i eventually was able to get an appt with the right people.

I found the taxotere chemo, restarted the cording problem for me after being free from the condition for a couple of months, and i had 2 cords in the armpit with one down to my thumb which was really uncomfortable.

Just to confirm my physio's use laser and massage to help relieve the symptoms

goodluck, Bardoe

Hi Heather

I had a similar problem after my surgeries.  I have been seeing a great physio for a while now and she has really helped.  My oncologist referred me to her as she works with a lot of breast cancer patients.  Are you in Melbourne?  I can give you her name if you are.  Otherwise ask your oncologist, surgeon or breast care nurse if they can recommend someone.  My GP also gave me an EPC (I think that's what it's called) which allows me 5 free visits to the physio - fully claimable through Medicare.

Ann-Marie x

Hi Heather

I had a similar problem after my surgeries.  I have been seeing a great physio for a while now and she has really helped.  My oncologist referred me to her as she works with a lot of breast cancer patients.  Are you in Melbourne?  I can give you her name if you are.  Otherwise ask your oncologist, surgeon or breast care nurse if they can recommend someone.  My GP also gave me an EPC (I think that's what it's called) which allows me 5 free visits to the physio - fully claimable through Medicare.

Ann-Marie x

Hi Heather

I had a similar problem after my surgeries.  I have been seeing a great physio for a while now and she has really helped.  My oncologist referred me to her as she works with a lot of breast cancer patients.  Are you in Melbourne?  I can give you her name if you are.  Otherwise ask your oncologist, surgeon or breast care nurse if they can recommend someone.  My GP also gave me an EPC (I think that's what it's called) which allows me 5 free visits to the physio - fully claimable through Medicare.

Ann-Marie x

Hi Heather , I developed cording post lumpectomy across my chest going down to my hip and it was painfull. What  helped me was masaging the area in the shower and after shower with vit e cream . After few days while I had my little massage in the shower the cord just popped and from then on it got better. Hope this helps, Monica

Hi Heather , I developed cording post lumpectomy across my chest going down to my hip and it was painfull. What  helped me was masaging the area in the shower and after shower with vit e cream . After few days while I had my little massage in the shower the cord just popped and from then on it got better. Hope this helps, Monica