Nuclear dye injection

JanMarch

I had my surgery on 3/9 and after reading this thread I was fully prepared for alot of pain from the nuclear injection.  In fact, I was more nervous about that part than about the actual surgery!  Luckily, my surgeon only called for one injection to be done (rather than 4) because in his opinion 1 is as good as 4.  It was definitely painful, but not unbearable.  My husband was there to hold my hand and it didn't last that long.  I think the anticipation of knowing it was going to hurt made it seem worse than it actually was.

ilovetytrev

Yes, I think this was as bad as the surgary its self.  I agree that they should numb the area or give you somthing to calm you down.  I hope I never have to go thru that ever again.  I would recommend asking the doc what would help before this procedure. 

Brenda_R

I guess I was lucky.  They injected me after I was put under and I didn't have a wire at all.  I had a blue nipple for months afterward and peed blue green for a day or two.

I was kept overnight, and the nurses had never seen anyone pee blue before. Lol

kiwigirl

Hi there.  This is my first posting so hope it goes through.  I assume you are talking about the dye they insert to find the sentinel lymph node.  I just had my second lumpectomy in 3 years (the other breast this time).  Both times, the injection was done when I was under anaesthetic just before surgery.  I live in New Zealand, have never heard of anyone here having the procedure done  before they were completely "out".  Sounds quite barbaric what some of you have suffered.

Emily2008

It was hands-down, one of the worst procedures I've ever had done.  ANd I've had LOTS of procedures done.  None of my docs told me what to expect either.  I also had to find out from a friend.  Barbaric is the right word, IMO.

vivre

I find this conversation very very interesting. It is amazing the the standard of care seems to be so different. I do not remember any pain at all. They had me so doped up with valium I guess. I know the procedure really freaked me out, but I spent the whole 2 hour pre op with my eyes closed and my headphones on, listening to Sting, so maybe I was just in such a great "escape mode" that I did not feel anything. Or maybe I was lucky and had doctors who did the right thing by me. Or maybe the area of the breast makes a difference. Nonetheless, I was freaked out by all the needles sticking out, hence I kept my eyes shut. I was wondering if anyone is as concerned as I am about the junk they are injecting into us? It still really bothers me that they put these dyes in us because these dyes themselves are carcinogens! I know it helps them to identify the sentinal nodes, but they should have a way for us to detox when it is all over. My blue nipple, for months and months, was very upsetting. It still makes me angry. I finally did a liver detox on my own, and that helped get the junk out. Why do we have to go through this hell?

marmsie

Well Woo Hoo, I can hardly wait!??!  But if it will help them find a left over node to biopsy - I promise not to complain (at least not very much). Lots of mixed experiences. My own surgeon downplayed any serious discomfort.

I really like the "eyes closed and my headphones on" approach. I'll pick different music though, personal preference you know. Unfortunately I won't have a pretty blue nipple after the fact.

I ask myself daily why we have to go through this hell...so far no explanation to offer.

Octobergirl

I had the radioisotope injection Wed. before surgery on Thurs. I had read a lot and really dreaded the injections....my doc does not give the cream (interferes with lymph mvt.) nor lidocaine. When I went in, I was very forthright in saying how anxious I was.  I said  I had read about this and knew it could be very uncomfortable and did not understand why one should have to go through such anxiety for days  -along with all the other stress of BC-  when there are options to help with the procedure. I asked why they did not use lidocaine, the cream and antianxiety meds.  The answers were basically that the procedure doesn't take long so they see no point. I ended by saying that the stress is cumulative and this anxiety just seems so unnecessary with everything else to follow in the next two days; it seems not too much to ask for help with this. I was somewhere between angry/frustrated and frightened...quiet tears... and they were really compassionate. The radiologist said, "We'll just go slowly and I'll tell you everything I do. I will work with you on this...don't be afraid. It is just two injections under the skin."  He did the injections outside of the subareole area and I barely felt anything at all....really it was nothing....what a surprise.  I was ready to dance from relief because I had laid awake worrying the whole night before.  The next day, when I went to have the wire inserted for my lumpectomy, I told the radiologist about my experience and said, "Duke must do the radioisotope procedure differently from the description I had read over and over online."  She said, "No, we have had many patients say the injections really hurt/burn a lot. It sounds like he must have injected you really slowly. It makes a lot of difference if they push it in slowly.  It sounds like you had done your homework and it is good you stood up for yourself."   I thought I would relay this for those facing the injections; sometimes it really pays to lay one's fears out to get the help one needs and deserves.

MillieD

Octobergrace:  what's a "wire inserted".  Do they do that for a mastectomy also?  I'm suppose to go in on 5/13 at 8:30 for the dye injection. They insert a wire?

Octobergirl

MillieD,  I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal (which turned into all nodes removed because the sentinel nodes were positive for cancer).  They insert a wire to guide the surgeon to the tumor if one has a lumpectomy.  I understand this is not necessary for a mastectomy since they remove all the breast tissue.  The wire insertion was painless for me; they used lidocaine injections and the radiologist was very good....this is one thing off your worry list with a mastectomy.  I hope my experience re the dye injections is informative for you and good luck on 5/13.....sending positive thoughts and energy with this post.

Brenda_R

I had a lumpectomy and no wire, but my lump was palpable.

JulieC

I had my SNB last year this time and my breast still has the blue spot from the dye.  Anyone else like this?  The docs said I might have the color for 6-9 months, but I'm over a year out.  Vivre - what is involved with the detox?  Is it too late now?

Thanks,

Julie

vivre

Julie, mine was blue for months, until I did the detox. I thought it was bruising and none of my doctors even told me until I went to a chiropractor who specialized in nutrition, that it was the dye .She is the one who recommended I detox. I did a liver and a colon cleanse. The colon cleanse was a supplement that was basically vit c and magnesium that is a natural laxitive. The liver cleanse was a pill that she gave me that I took over 3 weeks and followed a very strict diet. I don't remember exactly but it was basically no caffeine, no sugar, no meat, etc. It was easy because I have pretty much switched to that kind of diet anyway. You can do a shorter detox, but it involved drinking this thick junk and I could not get it down so I took the slow boat. Anyway, the purple finally went away. I was just talking to a holistic doc yesterday about detox. She says that a great method is to put castor oil on a clean cotton cloth and then put a heating pad over it for an hour or two a day. This will draw out the toxins. She says at first it actually looks better, but after a few treatments it works. She was recommending this to me for my husband's gout. If you try it, let me know I will be very interested if it works. This doctor swears she has used it on tumors and all kinds of inflammation.

shelloz1

I had a wire, they didn't numb me, didn't tell me it was coming, it was horrible.  There I was with my breast in the Mammi machine, pretty well naked and feeling like a slab of meat.  Before I knew what hit me, the doctor came in and shoved the wire in me (talk about stabbing pain) tears running down my face, how humiliating. 

I had the SND done in October/2006, still have blue dots on my breast, I wonder how many other women have had this happen.  I asked my surgeon about this, told me that it will never go away now, it's like a tattoo.

candy14510

WOW....I don't even know what to say!!!  I'm freaking out, but then on the other hand I'm glad I've read all these posts!  I had a horrible experience with my MRI guided biopsy.....claustrophobic....and even though they gave me local antistatic.....He gave me 3 shots total, because I could feel it!!!  I was bawling, saying I cant do it!!! Jackie the nurse held my hand and helped me with the final scans.  I'm really nervous about the nipple injection, but now know to call my doc on Monday!!!  My surgery is Tuesday @ 9a....needle thing is scheduled for 7:30 a.....I'm going to ask to be under, or give me something!!!  Thanks to ALL for the info!!!

Lursa5

LOL!

If man's most sensitive organ got cancer as much as our boobies do, the male population would be in severe decline! 

 Seriously, tho.I've learned 1 thing since my chest developed all those years ago, from nursing 4 babies to poking and proddings from BC, all women are WAY different in how anything feels when anyone but the owner is 'handeling' the girls.

 My dye injection wasn't bad at all. After giving birth 4 times with little or no drugs, it was really a cake walk, BUT! You can;t say that for any one else. My lumectomy has given me no END of trouble while my port on my starbourd side is a little uncomfortable, but I've known women who have no luck at all.

 I was so busy cracking one liners trying to make the Doctor laugh, I forgot to count how many times it was he poke me.

 On the other hand, I've been trying to get my courage up to call my BS all week to have her refill my pain pills. I HURT!

Hang in there and if your pain tolerance is low, make SURE you tell EVERYONE who will be touching you.

xoxo

Lursa5

Deb_62

I had 3 nuclear dye injections the day before my surgery 4/12 (Easter Sunday) and they hurt hardly at all.  The dr. that did mine put some kine of numbing stuff in the injections.  Took about 1 or 2 minutes to do the injections and then I had to spend the next 5 or 10 minutes rubbing the area (he said it would help distribute the dye into the area).  After I finished up I went grocery shopping so my family would have food in the house for the next week.  It's remarkable to difference in everyone's experience.

Anonymous

I had the injections same day as the surgery.  The had me come in 2 hours  before to give it time to move through.  I ditto Lursa5 - I have no tolerance for pain and each and every time I had a procedure I let it be known that my screams would wake the entire hospital, and it's a huge place.  But it did just feel like bee stings for a few seconds each.

Everyone reacts differently.

nelia48

Well, now I wish I had begged for BOTH boobs to be taken off when I had the mastectomy!!!!!  I just read this whole thread. . . . and if I have to go through this with the other boob .   . . I think I'll just wait til it's bad enough to have the mastectomy and forget the node check!  I just don't think I could do this!  I always said I would probably die of liver cancer because I couldn't do the liver biopsy --- same thing -- you have to be awake so that you can take a deep breath to get the ribs off the liver, and then they plunge that big thing into your liver!  No way!!!!!  All you gals who went through this thing. . . . you have my utmost respect and admiration, believe me!

Leah_S

My surgeon did the shot and used a numbing spray before each of the shots so I didn't feel anything.

 A thought - if you have pain like that - SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe enough ladies screaming in their ears will get them to use something!

Jus a suggestion...

Leah

candy14510

Hey All, Just had my bi-lat mx with DIEP....want you all to know, the injection was freaking me out.....this site help me prepare myself.  I asked for the EMLA Cream (numbing cream)and asked for it right away....it takes a little bite to take affect.  The nurse told me, it should be standard procedure, but is not.  She put on a bunch...and when it was time for the injection, couldn't feel a thing!!!!!  I was so tired of being poked and prodded, that it was a total relief!!! I had the radioactive tracer done....it was 3 shots.  Good-Luck All!!!

frywoman

Okay, this may be kind of queer. I am new to all of this so don't know how this works. I am inquiring to this post from way beack in January and don't know how to contact the person (Britt from Jan 14) that posted it. Anyway, I get to have my nuclear nipple injection next Wednesday morning and am scared to death. I got the EMLA cream today from my surgeon and also have XANAX to take prior and am just curious if Britt found any relief from using these. I never saw an update about it after her procedure. I am more apprehensive about this than the bilat mx.

don23

My injection was done the same day of surgery. I had to come in earlier than normal for the surgery because off the injection. The nurse put the EMLA cream on and then put a piece of plastic wrap or something on it to help numb the pain. I had it on for about an hour and then was brought up to get the injections. I had four injections and they did sting a bit but not too bad. I think the cream is what helped. The nurse said they didn't always use this cream in the past but has seen that when it is used it does help. Hope it helps you!

ajlive

The wire placement was worse than the injection.  I think the Stereotactic Biopsy was worse.  Laying face down on a table with your boob hanging down through a hole.  They give you 3 injections to deaden which it didn't.  I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.  They got an ear full from me on the wire placement and the biopsy.  Of course it was a male both time.  I told both of them how would they like that treatment done to their balls.  They didn't say a word.....

frywoman

Okay ladies. I am home from bilateral mx a week ago with little discomfort. I wanted to report back on my experience with the nuclear dye injection. My hospital does not adminster anything for pain but my surgeon did give me an rx for the EMLA cream and told me to put it on 2 hours before my procedure and cover it with plastic wrap just as instructed by other posts. I didn't feel a thing. In fact, it was so funny because we begged and pleaded for my husband to be able to go with me so that I could squeeze his hand and they reluctantly gave in. When they started the injection I was staring right into his eyes and the nurse was rubbing my leg for comfort and his eyes are asking me "Do you feel it?" so I knew they were in the throws of the procedure and I start squeezing the heck out of his hand. The Dr. then asks how I was and that there was one more to do and we would done. The look of shock on my face almost made my husband laugh out loud. I put on a good show of at least grimacing for the next one though just to help further the outrage that they shouldn't do something so painful. When that Dr. walked out my husband and I started laughing which was such a comfort to me that day because I needed a laugh.

I used about a half of tube of that cream 2 hours before the procedure and I was so numb. The only thing is that afterwards I had to go have pictures taken of the material moving through the lymph nodes or some such business that I never received a sufficient explanation of and the technician came running in and yelling at me "Who gave you that Cream?" I told her my surgeon and she said she couldn't believe he would do that becuase it slowed down their process and we would have to wait another 20 minutes to try again for the pictures. Apparantly, there were poor patients lined up in the hallway waiting for the room. I was sure to tell my surgeon before surgery that the cream worked like a champ but that I was afraid I got him in trouble because of the fuss the technician made. He was annoyed and said that was ridiculous and that there simply wasn't any scientific basis behind the claim that the cream would slow down anything.

Just wanted to let you all know that I survived. This was my biggest worry about the whole double mx and I ended up with a funny memory to share God is good!

Nutella

crikey !  I have to say that my experience of it wasn't anything too bad - of course it wasn't nice but really not that awful (I'd just had the wire localisation too)

juliejfsrj

I can promise that this does not hurt nearly as bad as anyone would imagine.  The needle is very slender and the injections are done one right after the other.  Probably takes 20 seconds of your life.  You don't need pain cream as much as something like xanax to help with the anxiety.

klp

I had the SNB, wire localization, dye and lumpectomy. None of it bothered me or hurt.

Momushka

What are you guys talking about?!?!?  My lumpectomy is one week from tomorrow and nobody talked to me about nuclear needles being put in my nipples!!!!  I heard about the wire - but everyone has said that's no big deal - like the biopsy.  But these apparently very VERY painful nuclear needles has me breaking out in a sweat.  What is this and when do they do it? 

Nutella

really, it isn't that bad, honestly, and I'm a huge needle wimp. They simply inject some radioactive dye into your breast,near the nipple,press it a bit to get the dye moving towards the lymph nodes and then photograph it's progress for the surgeon to local the sentinel nodes. I can honestly say that it didn't hurt - yes, it was uncomfortable and not something you'd chose to have for fun, but really no big deal. Please don't be alarmed !