I have had a tight painful feeling up my right arm for the last couple of weeks. It almost feels like it's bruised or something. It hurts most when I try to stretch the arm upwards. I saw the physio last Monday and she said it may be cording. She took my arm measurements and there doesn't appear to be any swelling so not diagnosed as lymphoedema. Just wondered if anyone else has had similar? I continue to do my exercises (given to me after my mastectomy) and have added a couple more stretches after reading that this may help with the cording. I also read it may rectify itself but it may not - very helpful!

Hi Amy I had a right-side mastectomy four weeks ago & for the last two weeks I have had a sharp pain in my forearm when I straighten my arm. Also an aching wrist which is worsened by using the mouse. When I asked about this at the hospital they seemed to think it was nothing to so with the operation but it must be somehow related to the operation. The arm looks normal and since I only had a few lymph nodes out they said there was not much danger of lymphodema. After my previous surgery (wide local excision) I had cording - a pain on the inside of my elbow when I lifted my arm and a weird stretched flap of skin in my armpit which was like there was an actual cord in there which was pulled too tight. The surgeon said to do the exercises and it would get better in a few months & it actually got better sooner than that. Best wishes Rachel

Thanks Rachel The physio told me to keep up the exercises too. So I'll keep doing that and stretches and fingers crossed it will get better! I hope you find the cause of the pain in your arm. It seems to make sense it's related to the operation doesn't it? Take care Amy

hi there, I have had cording happen twice now, seems to co-incide with the start of chemo for me. In Adelaide we have a specialist lymphodema clinic, who treat cording with laser therapy. from my research it can take 6-8 weeks to reduce normally, and the laser treatment seems to speed that up for me to 4 weeks before it disappears. I tried this because my elbow gets so tight that i can no longer straighten it, so makes it difficult to carry heavy items or use your arm normally and it can be stabbling like pain - ouch. A note - not all physio's are aware of this issue of cording also technically named AWS Axillia Web Syndrome cheers bardoe

I had a wide local excision on right side and 5 nodes removed but went back to work 14 days later as no problems.12 days later had 21 nodes removed and damage to Brachial nerve developed coding in degrees started below elbow,kept doing exercices,extended to above elbow,got more exercises,now wrist burns when moved around.I do these exercises every 2-4hours thinking it would help but upon return in 2 hours back to scratch.I had a bout of sickness for a day & did exercises twice only and it was a little worse took longer to relax cords.I have been going to a wellbeing therapist for massage and that has been great her treatment lasts longer than the physio's.Also went to GP as nerves were jumping when I laid down from across afflicted shoulder blade to other shoulder blade up neck to face.Got Tablets.I do believe my arm would look like a claw if I had not got massage for it which also helps with the Lymphodema that has started this last week,Its 6 weeks now and no sign of getting back to normal I have read some that it can take 6 months and a lady on youtube showing her exercises which I do has been a long time.Her pain is obvious on the video.I want to go back yo work so am putting every effort in.you have to be very pro active its a long time between weekly visits to professionals and these exercises need to be done daily. #Of interest each therapist has given me different exercises they find work best. I have read about laser and thinking last resort still hopeful exercise will work. Lots of self management needed , you spend all your time with yourself. yours perky.

Cording | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

perky
Member
11 years ago
Forgot to say I go to a lady every 3 weeks for arm drainage and scare massage.My scare tissue was size of a matchbox and is 1/3rd that now.Though after each Chemo my arm aches collects fluid more and burns,tingling in the numb areas and only the areas affected by surgery, since I'm having Chemo weekly its not enough time between doses for much improvement hoping better once finished.But the massage is a God send for a few days great but the more around the house you do the quicker the arm fills up and the higher the humidity the worse.Doing some massage myself helps but not as good as having two hands to do the job.
perky
Member
11 years ago
VivW.

Thanks for that I will go to pool after Chemo finished for sure and only because a few of the girls have mentioned it.Its not my favorite sport.I was in competitions when young before heated pools and diving into freezing cold water and doing 20 laps of pool has left a mental scar.WAS NOT FUN . BUT now I will do it for FUN at my own pace no-one pushing me I.'m excited already but have Chemo for another 3 weeks but have looked up close by HEATED POOL thanks Vivw.
perky
Member
11 years ago
VivW.

Thanks for that I will go to pool after Chemo finished for sure and only because a few of the girls have mentioned it.Its not my favorite sport.I was in competitions when young before heated pools and diving into freezing cold water and doing 20 laps of pool has left a mental scar.WAS NOT FUN . BUT now I will do it for FUN at my own pace no-one pushing me I.'m excited already but have Chemo for another 3 weeks but have looked up close by HEATED POOL thanks Vivw.

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Cording

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