Cording

Hi JD11 I know exactly how you feel. I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed on 30 March and like you couldn’t fully stretch my arm for weeks and weeks, the skin was so painful I couldn’t even touch it. I rang my BCN twice and then when another BCN rang me about something else I asked her if it was normal - they both replied yes it’s completely normal. Some days I cried as it hurt so much but I kept doing the excercises (well as much as I can) and it very slowly gets better. Even now I can’t stretch my arm completely but it is improving. Even sitting down I used to form my hand into a fist and bend my arm at the elbow bringing my fist as close to my shoulder as I could, I massaged my arm very gently, rotated my wrist - anything that gave me some relief. All I can say is keep doing your excercises religiously 3 times a day and it will improve but it does take a long time. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Hopefully other members will give you other ideas too xx

Sorry to hear about your cording.  Yes it is normal but won't go away by itself. I had specif physio and massage for mine. Don't put up with it.  Dig your toes in and get a referral to a physio. 

Hi Monolisa1869

Thanks for your response x

Snap my surgery was on the same date as yours and snap I have had all of the symptoms and pain you describe..my skin is also dimpling along the cording is that makes sense'.. Has yours??

 I Have been doing the exercise as well as Pilates and yoga which I have now had to cut back again as my armpit pain has also returned with a vengeance..just can't do right for wrong...

Did you use anything in particular to massage?

Hello Bustysusy

Thanks for your reply and for the advise..I will get onto the clinic tomorrow! 

Has yours got better? 

Hi JD11 yes I notice in the mornings that my arm looks really dimpled and uneven. I didn’t use anything in particular but have recently bought some e45 cream just so my hands aren’t rough but I had to be so gentle to start with - some days it did make me cry it was so painful.however as bustysusy says sometimes you do need specialist treatment so keep an eye on it. I was told it can take up to 8 weeks to improve and it has in the last 10 days or so but it did take ages. Good luck xx

Mine was fairly mild and nipped in the bud very quickly, but didn't happen until 5 years after surgery. I had about 4 sessions of physio in 2019 and its been fine since 

Thanks so much for sharing Its good news that yours is getting better! C.f.

Mine seems to be exactly the same as it was in the start..

Oh that's positive news that it was mild and didn't last too long for you xx

Definitely keep an eye on it then you might need some pysio. I didn’t realise it would be so painful xx

For sure, the pain is awful

I will be calling the clinic tomorrow as I.would have expected some improvement by now.

JD11 x