Sentinel Node Injection- Is it painful?

Ltalcott said:

Sorry
I thought the radioactive dye that they injected the afternoon before my surgery was one of the most painful parts of the process--surgery and all.

Seems like everything else I was medicated for--all of the biopsies, the surgery itself, and so on.

The radioactive material burned--I actually resorted to the breathing exercises that I used in childbirth a life-time ago.

That said, it didn't last long.

I also didn't know it was going to be painful. I think if I had known, I would have handled it better--that's why I'm posting my experiences.

(They also injected me with some blue dye after I was out as the surgery started the next day. I of course had no pain--or knowledge--of this!)

Lisa

Hey Bella
Yeah that part
Hey Bella
Yeah that part sucks, but it really doesn't last long.They do the " The quick stick" thing but it's a doozy of a stick....just being prepared for it helps though. Good luck.
Dee

Bella.........
I had the dye injected before my mastectomy. First they locate the tumor by ultrasound and then do the injection. No, they did not use any numbing agent. And the doc and the tech were very straightforward with me about it hurting. They even gave me a small rubber ball to squeeze.
However, it was a pinch and a stinging/burning pain, but honestly only lasted a couple of seconds. They are well aware that it is uncomfortable, and they do what they can to help you get through it.
It was really so fast that I didn't even blink, before it was over.

You will do fine. It is really not worth the worry....honestly. It's very fast.

hugs,

CR

Hi, Bella - and welcome...
We are honest here. Mine hurt, a lot. But, as others have already explained - it was very quick.

We're also all different. So it may not hurt as much for you.

Really, although I understand your apprehension - this is just a very small part of the experience.

Best wishes to you.

Kind regards, Susan

Akiss4me said:

Am I the only one?
Am I the only one here that was numbed for this part? They numbed me to do the needle localization and once they were done with that part then they gave me the other injections. But I was already numbed!! Then I also had the dye after I was knocked out. Pammy

I was numbed for this too,
I was numbed for this too, so, I felt nothing. Ask your doctor

Kat11 said:

Bee Sting, 6 times. It hurt,
Bee Sting, 6 times. It hurt, but it fades fast. I was on the x ray table for 2 hours trying to find it. Mine was done day before surgery.

I have to say, it was
I have to say, it was terrible.. I would suggest asking for the numbing medication.. The radiologist explained to me that 4 injections were four injections, it wasn't the initial inserting of the needles that hurt, it was as he pushed them further in. I was painfule and I too found myself using the breathing techniques I had learned in child birth... tears streaming down my face and ended up yelling out in pain.. don't mean to scare you.. but there is the possibility it will hurt. I would request that either your surgeon order you something... I don't know if mine was because I was still recovering from the excisional biopsy or just because..

~T

Derbygirl said:

Mine was done the morning of
Mine was done the morning of surgery and it wasn't that painful. A few injections in the area of the tumor and then wait for the dye to move. The part that hurt the most was it took two hours to travel to the sentinel node and I missed my early surgery start time. Surgery got bumped and I waited another 4 hours for the surgeon. No food...no water...long day!

It wasn't that painful.
It wasn't that painful. Just a couple of injections and that was it. Good luck!

maureen_7 said:

Bella,
EMLA Cream was
Bella,
EMLA Cream was applied to my breast about 20 minutes before the procedure. I too was told that this was going to be the worst part. After the 4 injections were given in less than 1 minute, I balled my eyes out, due to the fact that I had worked myself up into a tither and should have saved my energy for something else. It was such a relief that it was over and, for me it was no more painful than the injections I received prior to the biopsies. But remember, everyone is different, just like childbirth - I personally would have those injections than to go through childbirth. Best of luck to you, Maureen

Welcome, Maureen
We're all here to support and encourage each other - so, warm welcome to you.

Please feel free to visit often, any time you'd like, or need to.

Kind regards, Susan

BigCinCA said:

EMLA cream
I was given the EMLA cream to apply at home before I came in for the surgery. Make sure you use it! Even then it still hurt. I had to make sure I did breathing exercises, and I took my glasses off even though it wasn't necessary. I didn't want to see the needle. The good part is that it doesn't last long and the staff made sure I was aware of what was happening.

I also kept reminding myself that this was such a small part of the overall process, and a very necessary one! You can do it!

I won't lie, it was, but,
I won't lie, it was, but, you can do it. It is a one time deal, so, you can do it. Good luck!

bella63 said:

Thank you everyone.
I am going to ask for something... cream, lidocaine, valium. I am a big baby about pain.


Thank you for sharing your experiences.


Bella

Ouch!
As a few others have said ... the dye part was painful. The doctor told me the couldn't numb the area ... but I don't remember what the reason was. What I do remember is that it HURT like crazy ... but it only hurt for a few seconds. They get the stuff injected pretty fast. Then they immediately numbed the area and inserted the wire to guide the surgeon. I didn't feel that at all. I just felt sorry for the poor nurse who was holding the ultrasound thing with one hand ... and then my hand with the other hand. I don't know how she was able to keep the ultrasound thing in the right spot because I swear I was squeezing her other hand so tight I honestly thought I'd broken some of fingers. The doctor did tell me to BREATHE ... because that helps the dye get to the lymph nodes and then the pain will be over. So ... I tried to breathe ... and it did help speed things up and I guess the pain went away faster.

I did take xanax before hand ... and I can't imagine how I would have acted without it. I almost think I should have taken more ... because I did not handle the procedure very well. I acted like a 65 year old baby.

BUT ... just tell yourself ... that it will only last a few seconds ... then it will be over. And ... just breathe ... breathe ... breathe ...

Good luck ... we'll be thinking of you ... and let us know how it goes.

hugs.
teena

djteach said:

Hi Bella,
I wish I could
Hi Bella,
I wish I could help you but my lymph nodes were removed during my lumpectomy. I had 13 nodes and 1 Sentinel node taken. I was under general anesthesia and didn't feel a thing.
Unfortunately, 11 out of 14 nodes were positive for cancer including the sentinel node.

4 days later I had a complete mastectomy. I can't imagine why they would not use a numbing agent. I don't know much about your case, but I would insist on something unless they can give me a darn good reason for it. If you don't feel comfortable with this type of treatment, go to another doctor or clinic that specializes in breast cancer. It never hurts to have one and I may save you a lot of pain.

Please keep us updated on what you decide to do and please let us know the results.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Love and gentle hugs,
Donna

There are several schools of
There are several schools of thought on the numbing, no numbing. Some facilities, like the one I went to, do not numb because they feel it inhibits the movement of the dye, nuclear stuff. My shots stung a bit and I felt the dye (like the dye when you have a CT scan) but it wasn't bad and the anticipation was way worse than the reality. They had me rub the area to help the dye to move. By the time I got to the room for my place of wires for my lumpectomy I couldn't even feel it. They numbed me for the wires and I was good to go. Some facilities do use a topical gel before the shot and some numb the breast with lidocaine. Most like to do the shots before surgery, but some even do all this while the patient is under. It just varies and there is probably no one right or wrong way. Just their evaluation of what is best. It's really not that bad. It does sting and some felt it was very painful but most all of us agree it is temporary pain and over quickly. Hope this helps.
Stef