Cording

Public Archive
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Has anyone got any advice about this? I developed it after ANC three weeks ago, and although stretching exercises eases it, I’m wondering if there’s anything else I can do…

Annie x

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What I can’t understand is why my post isn’t showing on ‘latest posts’. I’m finding this site very hard to negotiate - how can I get a post noticed if it doesn’t appear on latest posts - I can’t just post my question on someone else’s thread…

Oops! Just realised it takes a while to show up…

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Hi Annie

Not sure if you can prevent cording. I got mine after 1st chemo and followed all advice given, which was as you say, stretching and keeping the arm massaged. When I got home from chemo sessions I’d put either a hot water bottle or a wheat bag - one you warm up in microwave on the arm. My chemo was 3 years ago and you can still see the cording line.
Sorry not to be more helpful, good luck with everything.

Jude

x

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Hi there. I had cording after my mx and ANC and it was very uncomfortable. I got some stronger painkillers and a huge bottle of E45 cream from the dr. I massaged the cream morning and night up my arm in a Chinese burn type style (ouch) and across the cord I could feel in my armpit. I regularly stretched right out to my finger tips raising my arm up as I did it and also found putting my arm behind my head and leaning to the side gave a nice stretch. If it gets too bad you can call the bcn and have psyhio which should help but mine eased over time. Three months on the cord is still there and my arm is still numb but it is no longer painful. Hopefully this helps. Xx

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Not being glib, but clothes shopping helped me, I’m sure. It’s good for the soul as well. Lifting clothes over head in small changing rooms was good exercise. I had an initial tendency to feel frustrated, and a little sorry for myself, by top shelf of fridge etc. now I make a point of using such activities as a way of exercising the arm. I put my phone as far away on a surface so that I have to stretch to reach etc…

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Yes Amanda! I found putting a glass of wine just out of reach helps too!! Not this time in the morning mind! Lol :wink:

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yeah wine, yeah good one… Tho, if its the only cold thing in the fridge in this heat…

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Thanks for all your replies!

I found this earlier thread, which is also helpful.

breastcancercare.org.uk/community/forums/undergoing-treatment-surgery/cording-after-axillary-node-clearance

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Melrose, just had to thank you for the ‘Chinese Burn’ massage technique! I tried it this evening (tentatively at first, but then with more confidence!) and it has definitely had a beneficial effect. I’ll carry on with that and the stretching exercises, and hope for the best.

Thanks again,

Annie x

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Annie, I totally agree with Suffolklady. I could stretch my arm out to the sIDE but not not raise it. Also went to physio and she was fantastic. After a number of sessions I now have almost full range of movement. You could actually hear the “chords” or whatever they are snapping as she manipulated the arm! Good luck and hope you get a feferal.

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Hi, I found I wasn’t making much progress with the excersises in the leaflet given by the hospital, and had little movement, so I contacted the Breast unit and they arranged for me to have physiotherapy - that has made a world of difference. I had my operation about 7 weeks ago and I still don’t have 100% mobility but it’s getting so much better every day, and the discomfort of the cording has gradually eased. I can now even put clothes on pretty much normally - I couldn’t do that before physio. If anyone is finding they are not seeing any improvement I would recommend they ask for physiotherapy.

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Hi ladies,
I had my MX and ANC levels I and II in May 2013 and developed chording. I have had physio every week since I was able and there is no time limit at my hospital. When I have chemo I dont have it on the 1st week but I try to have it co-incide with my cycle as in Cycle 3 physio is at 11 and chemo at 12 which helps also to lift my spirits for chemo.
I have full range of movement back but it wasn’t like that in the begining and the chord under my armpit was so rigid she couldn’t get in initially. Now she also manipulated my reconstruction which helps the muscle to move also. I would have been lost without physio and they loaned me a pulley I have rigged up in the garage which I do 5 mins on around 4 to 5 times a day and that has helped no end. The “popping” sound is disgusting and have only heard it once but the relief alongside the actual physio is a tangeable pleasure :slight_smile:
Karen
x