Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I’m really just looking for some reassurance.
I had mx in March, finished chemo in April, rads finished beginning November. I’ve felt great, progressively less tired, no problems.
I’ve probably been over doing it a little these last few days, but my right arm (mx side) was aching terribly last night. I’ve tried to take it easier today but noticed the pain was spread right down my arm.
Next I noticed a red mark around my hand, just above my thumb, almost like a bracelet and it’s running all the way up my arm to the armpit. It’s sore as hell, tight, swollen. It feels the way I would imagine cording would feel like. My hand itself isn’t swollen.
Is it normal to get cording at this stage and does it come with redness too?
I’m sure I’m fine but would really appreciate any advice, just so I can keep popping painkillers and get on with christmas.
Wendy you,ve taken the words out of my mouth . iam just sitting reckoning up how long since my op and its 9 months ( march same as you ) and my arm has been the most painfull this last few weeks as ever its aching and feel it tight when reaching and stretching up and having sharp stabbing pain across my boob Its not hot or swollen but im also getting pins and needles in my wristand hand usually when i wake up .I laso have been over doing it this week and carrying parcels shopping etc so hope this is what it is but like you not having had any problems before now i was a bit worried.
Sorry this has happened. Am not sure what it could be. I have developed lymphoedema in my hand that give me a tight pain and have been told to watch out for cellulitis and infections as I will need two weeks antibiotics.I have heard the pain that comes with lymph described as like a tooth ache. You don’t think it could be something like that. Phlebitis is painful veins and can give redness. Sorry I am not much help. I would phone out of hours just to see if they think it is urgent or not. Hope you get it sorted.
Ah Julie and Deb, you’re a pair of stars, thanks for posting. I was thinking everyone would be curled up with a snowball and twiglets!
I’ve been getting aches and pains since the rads finished really, shooting, sharp pains. This doesn’t hurt when I’m just sitting, just when I stretch out my arm or try to straighten it. It’s tender to touch.
I’m thinking it might just be the cording, brought on by overdoing it these last few days. It’s just the redness that’s worrying me, I’m not sure if that’s commonplace or not.
Deb, it’s funny you mentioned Phlebitis, I had that in my left (chemo) arm before I had my line in. It looks similar to that but I can’t imagine why I’d get that in my right arm. It’s an infection I’m worried about, but I feel well in myself.
I know you’re right, I should ring NHS direct just to check. A damned nuisance though on christmas eve!!
I’ve spoken to NHS direct, a lovely nurse. She’s suggested if it’s the same tomorrow to call for an appointment at the walk in centre. I’ll see how I am, if it’s no worse then I think I might see if I can go boxing day instead. Hopefully I’ll wake up and it will have magically disappeared!
Deb, you were right, it’s cellulitis. Got a prescription for mega antibiotics to get once the chemist opens. Just keeping my fingers crossed they work, I do not want to spend any time in hospital.
What a bummer. Because I have lympho my BCN said to make sure I get two weeks antibiotics as one weeks is not enough, it will appear to work, but it will just lie dormant then come back will come back worse. Hope yours clears up soon. Take care of yourself. I bet Lawrie had a great time. Debx
I’m lucky, my best friend and surrogate father to my daughter, is a nurse so I text him any questions I have. And it just so happens that your subject description is the description he gave me when I was scared I’d got a DVT (I hadn’t, I was being pathetic).
So PLEASE make sure you phone your chemo ward or hosp. Hopefully it’s just plebitus (I’ve got that) but… Better safe than sorry!
Hello all. I haven’t logged on for a while as I am trying to get on with things and not think cancer all the time. Had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy, finished in August. Have always done my stretches for my arm as had lymphnode removal. Glad I have taken a quick look today as arm is quite painful and tight, just like cording. You have given me so much info and will go to docs after Xmas. Should be starting back at work 4th Jan but am quite worried about being able to cope. Will wait and see what doc says.Thank you again and I wish you all a wonderful and healthy New Year. X
Thanks everyone for posting. Mattsmam, so sorry to hear your arm is playing you up too. Have you got a rash or any redness in your arm?
Thanks Jo. I’ve seen the folk at the walk in centre and they’ve said cellulitis. So it’s antibiotics for me!
You’re right again Deb (you are the fountain of all knowledge now!) it’s 2 weeks worth of antibiotics. He said if it doesn’t show any sign of improvement or I get a temperature or anything, I’ve got to go straight to A&E. So far so good, I hope I’ve caught it in time.
I suppose I really should’ve gone Christmas Eve, but the idea of soberly waiting around in A&E for hours on end isn’t my idea of a good christmas. By this morning though I couldn’t pretend the rash wasn’t getting any worse.
I’m just knackered though today, I’ve definitely over done it again!