1. < Breast Cancer

Radioactive blue dye injected to the breast for lymph node dissection

Posted by Glori @elvandi, Apr 25, 2017

Has anyone had this radioactive dye injected tracer before surgery to see if cancer in the lymph nodes. I understand it is very painful and since I was told this would be done for me before I have the lumpectomy removed in my breast. I, want to know more about it. Hope someone can advise me.

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | May 14, 2020
In reply to @cathierose "I had the dye injection through my nipple it was the most pain I've ever felt..." + (show)
@cathierose

I had the dye injection through my nipple it was the most pain I've ever felt in my life,my doctor did not brief me before the injection,i was very very angry ,when i saw her before sugery i told her i was very mad and i was about to go nigi warrior on her,then i went under,lucky for her! .
When i went back for follow up i brought it to her attention and asked her why she didn't warn me and she said if i told my patient's they may not have it.
That was her only responce ,and she's probably right.
I hate that you have to have it ,please take a nerve medication before .
As soon as it was over i ask for one and they got me one. They were very aplogic.
Good luck it's necessary, your be fine.

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Yes I was warned by a friend about the nipple injection. I mentioned it to the doctors - they jut looked at me askance. I also felt it was very painful. I just gritted my teeth. I wish one of them had to have it done to THEM.

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2 replies
trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | May 14, 2020
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "Yes I was warned by a friend about the nipple injection. I mentioned it to the..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

Yes I was warned by a friend about the nipple injection. I mentioned it to the doctors - they jut looked at me askance. I also felt it was very painful. I just gritted my teeth. I wish one of them had to have it done to THEM.

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@kathyomaha55 Painful?...that doesn't describe it! Holy mackerel, my daughter was holding my hand and I was worried I would break her fingers, but the tech was very nice and gave me a break partway through the injection. One of my children was delivered by C-section and the anesthetic failed during incising...this injection was in par with that same pain! The good thing is the pain does not last.

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1 reply
elizm | @elizm | May 14, 2020
In reply to @trixie1313 "@kathyomaha55 Painful?...that doesn't describe it! Holy mackerel, my daughter was holding my hand and I was..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@kathyomaha55 Painful?...that doesn't describe it! Holy mackerel, my daughter was holding my hand and I was worried I would break her fingers, but the tech was very nice and gave me a break partway through the injection. One of my children was delivered by C-section and the anesthetic failed during incising...this injection was in par with that same pain! The good thing is the pain does not last.

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@trixie1313 @kathyomaha55
Hi, Kathy and Trixie. I had a wonderful surgeon for my lumpectomy, and when I was preparing for the surgery, I had read about how painful the sulfur colloid tracer injection was... so I furthered my research. What I discovered was that an adjacent regional hospital used a different tracer (Lymphoseek) since 2015-16. That hospital contended that it was far superior in patient comfort. I presented my surgeon with pages of research information on Lymphoseek, and she demanded that our hospital use it for me. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, and radiologists have to wait a bit longer for the subsequent pictures of it taking hold, but it was not at all painful to me. Thought you might be interested.

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1 reply
trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | May 14, 2020
In reply to @elizm "@trixie1313 @kathyomaha55 Hi, Kathy and Trixie. I had a wonderful surgeon for my lumpectomy, and when..." + (show)
@elizm

@trixie1313 @kathyomaha55
Hi, Kathy and Trixie. I had a wonderful surgeon for my lumpectomy, and when I was preparing for the surgery, I had read about how painful the sulfur colloid tracer injection was... so I furthered my research. What I discovered was that an adjacent regional hospital used a different tracer (Lymphoseek) since 2015-16. That hospital contended that it was far superior in patient comfort. I presented my surgeon with pages of research information on Lymphoseek, and she demanded that our hospital use it for me. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, and radiologists have to wait a bit longer for the subsequent pictures of it taking hold, but it was not at all painful to me. Thought you might be interested.

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@elizm And the injection went directly into your nipple down below? I had to have needles put in prior to my lumpectomy and partial mastectomy, but that was easy compared to the needle directly into the nipple.

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1 reply
elizm | @elizm | May 14, 2020
In reply to @trixie1313 "@elizm And the injection went directly into your nipple down below? I had to have needles..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@elizm And the injection went directly into your nipple down below? I had to have needles put in prior to my lumpectomy and partial mastectomy, but that was easy compared to the needle directly into the nipple.

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@trixie1313 I have no memory of the needle's entry point (I likely had my eyes closed....) but it was all over in a flash.

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beebeebaby123 | @beebeebaby123 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @elvandi "Cathy, you will be fine. The Lumpectomy is very easy, no pain, the anesthesia goes very..." + (show)
@elvandi

Cathy, you will be fine. The Lumpectomy is very easy, no pain, the anesthesia goes very smooth, you can request a pill beforehand to prevent nauseous and the injection for radioactive dye to locate and check lymph nodes does not hurt, it is acceptable if you just relax. You will go to sleep easily and wake when it is over and would feel a thing. I had it 2 times. Any questions you must ask, also, your doctor and understand everything. Just RELAX . runninglakes

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I'm glad you had such a easy time with everything Gloria mine was totally diferent. My doctor did not tell me about the dye and no relief was given at the time. One month later the injection spot is still sore to the touch.I received the nausea pill and was sick and lightheaded for one week after surgery.Everyone has different experiences but no pain you are one lucky person if it all went that smooth. I hope Cathy has the same experience as you and every person who goes through a lumpectomy. God bless all

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beebeebaby123 | @beebeebaby123 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "Yes I was warned by a friend about the nipple injection. I mentioned it to the..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

Yes I was warned by a friend about the nipple injection. I mentioned it to the doctors - they jut looked at me askance. I also felt it was very painful. I just gritted my teeth. I wish one of them had to have it done to THEM.

Jump to this post

Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this pain and my doctor after the injection said oh yea you had that terrible injection. Never knew ahead of time I was receiving the injection. I still have pain at the site one month later we should have full detail and given options for a better easier way. I'm very disillisioned with the medical field related to breast cancer we need to make improvements.

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3 replies
trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @beebeebaby123 "Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this..." + (show)
@beebeebaby123

Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this pain and my doctor after the injection said oh yea you had that terrible injection. Never knew ahead of time I was receiving the injection. I still have pain at the site one month later we should have full detail and given options for a better easier way. I'm very disillisioned with the medical field related to breast cancer we need to make improvements.

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@beebeebaby123
It really isn't the most pleasant procedure in the world - I nearly broke my daughter's hand squeezing it as the dye went in. The tech injecting was really sweet and stopped for a few seconds explaining how sorry she was, but that the dye is a thick emulsion and that's why it is so painful. Good thing is, surgeons can see exactly where the course of the dye goes. In my case unfortunately, the dye followed a lymph node which had eroded into the lymphatic system.

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1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @beebeebaby123 "Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this..." + (show)
@beebeebaby123

Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this pain and my doctor after the injection said oh yea you had that terrible injection. Never knew ahead of time I was receiving the injection. I still have pain at the site one month later we should have full detail and given options for a better easier way. I'm very disillisioned with the medical field related to breast cancer we need to make improvements.

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My friend thought it was unbearable pain. I thought it was very painful but not unbearable. They need it when looking for the closest lymph nodes. But it did SUCK. I did not have any pain from it after the surgery. Thank goodness.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @beebeebaby123 "Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this..." + (show)
@beebeebaby123

Even the person who injected me with the dye said some women can not bear this pain and my doctor after the injection said oh yea you had that terrible injection. Never knew ahead of time I was receiving the injection. I still have pain at the site one month later we should have full detail and given options for a better easier way. I'm very disillisioned with the medical field related to breast cancer we need to make improvements.

Jump to this post

Hi @beebeebaby123, welcome to the Breast Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect. Can you share a bit more about yourself? When were you diagnosed? What type of breast cancer? Share what you're comfortable sharing.

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