Breast Cancer Now Forum

Let me know what they say! One breasr care nurse said she had heard a couple of patients mention it (over 17 years), but could never find any documentation about it. My Drs had not heard of it before. It gradually went away and now I am a year on I only get it very rarely now. I have problems with tight connective tissue and my back and wondered if it was related to that. I had cording too. I think the surgery is too superficial to damage nerves that relate to that area. I also had it with hot drinks, all very interesting. I hope you are recovering OK.       ... View more

Thats really stressful, I am so sorry, I am getting used to living with one breast after deciding not to have extra surgery, but you need to be able to choose for yourself. All that uncertainty is the worst you feel so out of control. Good luck, thinking of you. Jennie ... View more

Brilliant! ... View more

Hi ladies with probable cording have you tried calling the breast cancer nurses? Did you have a reconstruction? It could be cording and if so I suggest the following 1 Ask your hospital BCN for a referral to physio 2 Ask the BCN if its OK to gently massage the area ( keeping well away from the scar until 6 weeks post op) 3 Carry on with the stretches I am 5 months post op and have good arm ranges but the cording is still there but it is much softer and better than it was. I used a massage therapist and that helped. I  have also been to other professionals for treatment in London. regards Jennie ... View more

HI you need a referral to te hospital's physiotherapy, you need to follow the post Mx stretching regime and also gently massage any stuck down areas on the scar. There are various theories about what it is but I think that mine is caused by fascia-connective tissue bunching up and tightening in response to being cut through in lymph node biopsy. Also look for a good massage therapist or a physio who practices myofacial release techniques who is happy to massage around the scar. Its not easy I am still working on it 5 months later but I have full range of movement now. Where are you based? Good luck Jennie (physio)   ... View more

Hi buster1 if you havent had a reconstruction I can advise you, otherwise I don't know. No recon. then you can massage 1inch away from the scar above and below gently for the first six weeks. After 6 weeks use a flat hand on the scar to gently move it. Follow the exercise plan pdf on the Breast Cancer Care website, it shows all the dates post op as well as what to do. If you think you have cording ask for physio. good luck with it all Jennie (physio and patient)   ... View more

Hi Pink I had a left mx last November too but am pleased to have at least one breast. I didnt want the extra surgery of a reconstruction but the scar is very long. I am lucky to have a small cup size so don't feel too unbalanced. Jennie ... View more

Hi Terri I am a physio and had a single mastectomy a few weeks after you had your double. I paid for some private treatment to relax tight tissue - cording and such, but I havent had such an ordeal that you had. I am based in London and can recommend someone if that is useful and allowed on this site. Has the physio helped? How are you now? Jennie ... View more

Hello I guess I am lucky to be an A cup . I had a single Mx in November. I didn't trealise preop how long the scar would be, from my armpit right to the centre of the chest. I am getting used it. I am an artist so I chose to make a cast of my breast pre-op I was learning on the job so its not a perfect result but I would like to make an exhibition of castings of lost breasts. I also might use photos of  the scar in some future artwork. Taking creative control has helped me. Maybe I will start a subject about what people think about the art ideas. I also got a photographer friend to tae some nice shots of me pre op as a keepsake. Thinking of you. Jennie   ... View more

Take it esay carrying things! If you feel around your armpit and above and below the scar you might feel some tight bands. These can be massaged to loosen/ soften them. Jennie   ... View more

I am sure it will go and if not I can live with it. Cording is gradually softening too. Good luck with the rads, hope the side effects are OK. I am going to pick up a stick on boob today. Jennie ... View more

Hi there one idea was that the oesophagus has been damaged by painkillers and stress, or that the breast tissue somehow insulated the stomach, the latter was a spur of the moment idea. Apparently it has been reported by quite a few Mx patients.  I havent had my pectoral muscle cut, so its not that in my case. All very interesting. Jennie ... View more

Hi have you come across the group flat friends? The girl who startde that group had a second mastectomy for the same reason. I am only an A cup so often don't bother to wear anything post op, 2 months. Will try a stick on prothesis, which sounds like a joke but its free, so why not. Jennie ... View more

If its still bothering you ask for physio. I am a physio and have cording and went to a specialist physio who is helping me. Two months post op and its improving. Jennie ... View more

Very belated thanks for your response. Waiting for a stick on and dealing with cording now.Jennie ... View more

Hi my surgeon said to wait for 6 weeks before any massage around scar line. Hope its improving. Jennie ... View more

hi it could be cording, I had mastectomy only and my cording sometimes 'twangs'. You could ask to see a physio again. Hope its all improving. Jennie ... View more

Hi Anniewol thanks for your message, sounds like a sensible attitude. Its almost three weeks post op for me and and I am happy with my decision too, glad to be an A cup now, which I hated as a teengaer. Just come down with a wound infection started antibiotics 3 hours ago, v sore, also have cording, its all enough to deal with. I had a knitted knocker waiting for me when I got home from hospital which was sweet. Hope you had a good  time away. Jennie   ... View more

Hi Delly thanks for response, I got a referral to physio for my cording, waiting for an appt. now, doing exercises, small seroma reduced yesterday but wound began to look red. Contacted nurses who got me into see the consultant - amazing! She didn't think it was infected but gave me antibiotics to take home in case it got worse. Late afternoon today got worse, now is so sore and swelling is starting. At least have been able to start treatment this afternoon and I know its a short term complication, but I don't think I am in for a good night or few days probably. I was trying to do my accounts for the end of the tax year, maybe theres a link.............. Thanks for listening. Jennie ... View more