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Cording (Axillary Web Syndrome)

First post and replies | Last post by Buttercup, 1 week ago

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Good morning! I’m 4 weeks post op from lumpectomy with SLNB. About a week ago I noticed worsening range of motion in my arm and a “cord” in my armpit on the surgery side. The lymphedema RN confirmed its Axillary Web Syndrome (cording). Man is this painful and frustrating! I can feel the tightness thru my forearm. I have a list of stretches to perform, and found more online on YouTube and cancerrehabpt.com. I start radiation in a few weeks also. Has anyone been able to release the cords on their own with stretching or did it require PT or ...

By Nope 2 weeks ago
Cording is so painful! I'm sorry you're dealing with it. My timeline was exactly the same as yours. I'd been cautioned that it could happen, so I knew immediately what it was and jumped to treat it right away. I am kind of the DIY type, so I hopped on YouTube and started doing the exercises I saw in a video. I think it was called "flossing"? If I remember correctly, I had to raise my arm up straight and lock out my elbow and then flex my hand. Whatever it was, it wasn't helping. After a few weeks I started PT with a lymphedema specialist, and w...

By janedoe7 2 weeks ago
Hi. I also had lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy and had significant tightness in the armpit post surgery. I started the exercises that were recommended by my physician team post surgery and it was very painful at first. I did continue the exercises as it does take awhile to heal. I did eventually have a physical therapist work on it manually with some manual therapy and exercises because it still felt like a rubberband about to snap when I lifted my arm. The pain eventually subsided for me but I will say even now, 3+ years post surgery...

By Iamasurvi... 1 week ago
My sister has terrible cording problems. Tons on therapy but it didn’t help. Therapist said that is very unusual though. I’m nineteen year survivor and never had cording. Mastectomy and 8 rounds of chemo, no radiation. I wish you the best.

By Doriansgr... 1 week ago
Thanks you all for your insight, greatly appreciate it. It sounds like PT is definitely in my future. I was just scheduled for my pre radiation treatment scans so PT will be on the back burner. For now I’ll keep moving to maintain the mobility and range of motion I have in the hopes radiation doesn’t make it worse. Fingers crossed this rubber band snaps eventually! Thank you again, grateful to have people to reach out to who understand.

By Nope 1 week ago
I personally had to do PT for my cording before radiation. Your arms are above your head during radiation, and I couldn’t have gotten my left arm in place without therapy first. I also couldn’t have postponed the pain relief for another month. You must be a toughie! 😉 You’ll know more when you go to your planning session.

By janedoe7 1 week ago
Decades ago in the dark ages (1992) I had some problems with this after 29 nodes removed with my first round of breast cancer. Fortunately a very good nurse told me an exercise to do to start with and some massage techniques. Put a rope or cord over your shower curtain rod (make sure rod is stabilized!) or a door. In the shower works better I think because you can use the hot shower water to help during the exercise. Start with arm low and use the cord to help raise it until tight...don't over do it! Gently raise and lower for about 5- 10 ...

By Buttercup 1 week ago
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GREAT Physical Therapist

First post and replies | Last post by Buttercup, 2 months ago

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Treatment tips and tricks

First post and replies | Last post by Kpitzer02, 4 months ago

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Urinary tract infections

First post and replies | Last post by SharonT, 10 months ago

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Neuropathy from mastectomy

First post and replies | Last post by Juice Lady, 11 months ago

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Revamped My Lifestyle

First post and replies | Last post by cleo, 1 year ago

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Healing Radiation Burns

First post and replies | Last post by Ironmom5, 1 year ago

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I had 28 radiation treatments at Menorah, and by the end, my skin was dark red, painful and peeling. The technicians told me about a product that could help heal radiation burns—Aquaphor Body Spray. It was a game changer. Before, I was using Radiation Relief cream, which I bought on Amazon, but the spray was much easier and quicker to apply. It feels like spray-on sunscreen. You can buy it on Amazon or at CVS. After about a week of using it, my skin is still red but is healing quickly.

By Ironmom5 1 year ago

Lymphedema sleeve

First post and replies | Last post by SharonT, 1 year ago

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Tired, just tired.

First post and replies | Last post by Gwoodhood, 1 year ago

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Here's the deal - you've gone through a lot and yet you still have to function. I had a double mastectomy, not kemo/radiation, just Tamoxifen and I'm so tired at 2pm I could crash every day! But oh yeah, there's work and kids, and life. I went to my doctor recently and explained how hard the fatigue is on me! She suggested having my bloodwork done and assumed that I may have Vitamin D deficiency among other things. She was totally right! Take 5,000mg of Vitamin D every day- does a world of difference!

By Gwoodhood 1 year ago

Scar Treatment that's like GOLD!

First post and replies | Last post by Gwoodhood, 1 year ago

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BioCorneum Scar Gel Treatment - get it on Amazon. Not cheap but definitely works!

By Gwoodhood 1 year ago

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