Sentinel Node radioactive injection

Hi BlueHeron, I had the same fears that you do. I dreaded this injection more than the surgery itself. I did alot of reading and found a recommendation for using EMLA cream. It was also mentioned in Dr Love's book, I told my doctor about my fear and requested a RX for it. It is a numbing cream that takes full effect 50-60 minutes after application. It worked extremely well. I applied it liberally on half my breast 50 minutes prior to my appointment. I used a glove and then covered my breast with saran wrap to keep it on the skin and not soak into my clothing. I also used it 50 min. prior to my wire insertion as well on on my arm prior to my IV. The nurse with me during my wire insertion says I was the only patient that didn't even flinch in the 6 months she had been there. It really worked for me. I hope that helps. Hugs, GypsyJo

My first injection was 10 years ago, and hurt like hell. Hurt so much that my anxiety over it kept me up most of the night before my bmx 2 weeks ago. I think I was more scared about that than the surgery. Crazy when I say that, but true. I had no numbing cream or medication prior. The needle they use now is very tiny. I felt a little pinching, but it was honestly not bad at all. Most of the horror stories you hear are from those of us who had it many years ago. They used a very large gauge needle back then, not now. The massage after the injection was more uncomfortable to me than the injection, but not complaining.

just in case, ask for the creams and anti anxiety meds if necessary.

Just had mine 3 days ago. It was done a day before my bmx. I was scared out of my mine and did not have time to get my hands on emla. They did give me a lidocaine injection to first numb me, just felt an ant bite. Then they say I might feel pressure and slight stinging for 30 secs or so. Didn't feel a darn thing. I was all worked up over nothing, went shopping to get last minute supplies after.

You will be fine. Take a xanax ahead and it will be all over soon.

it wasn't a big deal for me. I didn't even know that the injections had to go through the nipple until they were just about to do it. My Breast was still numb from the wire insertion, I didn't feel a thing

I had mine on Thursday, the morning of the surgery, it did not hurt at all, the needle they use is very thin, just 4 shots around the nipple. I was scare also, took anxiety pills before, but really not pain

The injection site varies based on where your lump is located. I wasn't sure where so covered more than half my breast including the nipple. I carried the EMLA around with me and 50 minutes before each procedure reapplied. I wasn't sure either on the IV so did both the back of my hand and the inner arm. If you are doing multiples, just make sure you bring some extra gloves. I also let all the medical personnel know what I did. No one had any concerns about it. The IV will be on the opposite side of your body than your procedure. It is very doable. Doing the applications made me feel much more in control of the situation.

Here is a funny story about using EMLA before the tracer injection.

I am a first grade teacher. I was scheduled to have the injections about 90 minutes after dismissal, and the day before my bmx. I found someone to watch my class as they packed up for the day and went to the staff bathroom. I took off my blouse and bra and slathered my nipple in EMLA, covered it in plastic wrap, taped it in place and put my clothing back on. Just as I was done, someone walked in to the bathroom. Had she walked in a few minutes earlier, it would have been an odd sight, indeed!

I was absolutely terrified of the nuclear injection. I was more afraid of that than I was the actual surgery. I had myself SO stressed and scared!! (Not to mention, I had read all sorts of horror stories about how much it hurt and how horrible the experience was....which, of course, did NOT help at all.)

I can tell you with 100% certainty that it did NOT hurt me at all. Seriously.
My surgical oncologist prescribed me EMLA cream to apply roughly 30-40 minutes prior, which I did and then covered my breast in Saran Wrap before putting on my bra.
In all honesty, the EMLA cream did not numb the area at all. Not even a tiny bit and I slathered that crap on!!! (I even went into the restroom 5 minutes prior to the injection to put even more on.) I told my husband, who went with me, how the cream wasn't working, and how incredibly nervous that made me.

When they called me back to get the injection, I was literally shaking. The woman who was to give me the shot asked if I was okay. I told her no, I was a nervous wreck and the EMLA cream my doctor gave me wasn't working to numb my breast. She told me that she had been doing this procedure for over 10 years and never had a woman complain of any pain. She assured me that other than some very slight burning, it's painless. Obviously, I didn't believe her.
Well, she was right! I experienced some burning, which lasted about 2-3 seconds and then it was done. Very, very, very easy!!!!
After the injection, she instructed me to massage my breast for 15 minutes and then she would be back to make sure the injection had reached my lymph nodes.
Half an hour later, I was done and on my way home. I experienced zero pain after the injection. No soreness, nothing.

I promise you that the nuclear injection is NOT bad. Honest.
You will do GREAT!

Hello BlueHeron:

You have plenty of good input here, but I wanted to greet a fellow large bird.

I had this done on both sides in September 2013, via single injections with a very fine needle in the lower, outer quadrant, but towards the center (not the nipple), with no meds or special prep. I did not enjoy a needle in the area of a painful hematoma on one side, but the side with no hematoma was not bad at all. Wishing you a similarly smooth and uneventful experience.

BarredOwl

Hi BlueHeron. I am extremely needle phobic, to the point where I managed to avoid routine blood work, flu shots, etc. for over 20 years prior to this experience. I can honestly say I was more scared of the needles involved than I was of cancer. The injection is nothing. I was very anxious about it. I was given lidocaine, which I barely felt, and then the injection of dye, which I didn't feel at all. I think the anticipation is far worse than the reality. I definitely recommend taking a Xanex before to ease your nerves. I agree that everyone has a different pain threshold, and everyone's experience is different, but judging from the comments, it seems like the majority had a similar experience to me.

As far as the IV insertion, its to my understanding thatthe hand and arm are the most common, but it can also be placed on the top of your foot. It really depends on your veins. I've had 3 surgeries since my diagnosis, and with all three I had the IV inserted in my forearm, which given a choice I would recommend. I had numbing cream and a lidocaine injection for two of the surgeries, and one with out the numbing cream. Not fun, but not horrible. The lidocaine injection stings a bit, and the IV insertion feels a little strange, a quick pinch. The IV feels a little tight in your arm, but it's not painful. Best of luck!

mine didn't hurt at all. I was so wrapped up thinking about the mastectomy that it didnt even occur to me to be scared of the sentinel injection. Think you'll be fine.

Me too. It's amazing how I went from terrified to fairly matter-of-fact about medical stuff. I give a lot of credit to kind nurses and doctors. (I still never look at a needle, though.) So yeah, BlueHeron, you may amaze yourself at how--what's that word my kid loves?--bad-ass you can be.