Cording / Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS)

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Physical therapy has been a great help! I know that what also helps is doing the exercises at home too. The breast and arm exercises will be a life long routine for me. I get out my yoga pad, get on the floor, and stretch every day. It seems that when I do the stretches in the morning they help my movements all day. And I thought about that, sure makes sense that after 8 hours of being in bed, I'd need some stretching! Good luck.

@tduser2023 I am so sorry to hear of your pain and cording. Is your pain all over at same time or different areas? I never had heard of cording until this group.
I had a one sided mastectomy in 2019. During recovery I could not lay on my right side , surgery side, as rib area was painful only while laying on it. I thought it’s from surgery, kept trying and off and on it would be better. Fast forward 4 years and still have tenderness there. I believe it was causing spasms in my shoulder which was #7 level pain. It would come and go. I called them episodes. The spasms started getting more and more frequent, so I started seeing an acupuncturist. She said that there was scar tissue in that area from surgery. I see her regularly. The spasms are no more and all that is left is a deep sore spot - like a sore muscle. Acupuncture has worked for me but it take a long time. I’ve been 11 months.
Massage, cupping, anti inflammatory diet, (I’m not really strict but watch foods), epsom salt baths are the things I’m doing. Castrol Oil on a cloth, then heat applied on top is good for pain too.
Just some thoughts. Blessing to you and hope things improve for you.

I need to do this!! PT did not help -- but the at home stuff in the a.m. makes sense. Feel free to share your routine!

I need to do this!! PT did not help -- but the at home stuff in the a.m. makes sense. Feel free to share your routine!

Hi Friends,
I am 45 and I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed. I have been taking Tamoxifen since 2019. My Dr explained lot of side effect of Tamoxifen and I am aware of them.

After surgery I was going to lymphoma clinic to drain and then Physio Therapy because I started developing cording on right arm from where lymphnodes are taken out. My nurse told me I started having cording(AWS - Auxiliary Web Syndrome). Later they showed me how to break the cording, even my husband do them for me. I had been doing some starches, exercise to manage the pain and keep mobility as much as possible.
Initial it has started on right arm but after 1 year or so I started having on left arm and it has progressed in all over body. I have done MRI and even lately I have seen rheumatologist and did test and it was clear.
Even after 4 years of surgery and I am still living with pain mostly due to cording. Sometime it will be on legs, on finger, calf, stomach or chest. I am very active women and try to control my weight, do exercise, walking, keep my self busy with kids and family. But this pain drags me and my family behind.

Any one has any similar situation and how did you manage? Any suggestions are appreciated.

thank you SO much! What a gift. I KNOW it will help, as they are very unlike anything that was suggested to me along the way. The very best to you!