What was your experience with bone marrow biopsy?

Posted by beanglow @beanglow, Aug 31, 2019

The hematologist/oncologist I saw yesterday talked to me about having a bone marrow test done. I have heard that it is very painful and no anesthetic is given. Can anyone tell me about your experience having it done?

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@barbie75

Hello, I was sedated and felt no painful during the procedure or afterwards.

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Thank you for your reply. I will talk to my doctor about it.

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@jeaniecm

I have had 3 with no sedation. No problem at all. It feels like a little pressure but nothing you would need anything for.

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Thank you for your reply. I was really concerned about having it done.

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@beanglow

Thanks for your reply. The doctor suspects MDS but I also have CIPO and Sjogren's and have lost a lot of weight and have been on Boost (no solid food since May of 2019) and can't imagine going through treatment for this too. I don't know how long the results will take to get back to me. Your response has been helpful to me.

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A full study of your sample usually takes 5-10 business days. Post biopsy, my doctor recommended heat and ice alternating and Tylenol...no nsaids like Advil as they can cause bleeding. I think they gave me some mild pain meds, too. Take it easy for a few days, too.

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@ckeys

A full study of your sample usually takes 5-10 business days. Post biopsy, my doctor recommended heat and ice alternating and Tylenol...no nsaids like Advil as they can cause bleeding. I think they gave me some mild pain meds, too. Take it easy for a few days, too.

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Thanks, Ginger. I did ask to have sedation and it will be done in the hospital.

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@beanglow

Thanks, Ginger. I did ask to have sedation and it will be done in the hospital.

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@beanglow How are you doing? Have you had your bone marrow biopsy, yet? I had mine done today. The entire team, including the dr, were great. No sedation, just the local to numb the area. I took some Tylenol afterwards, and am feeling fine. Just as an aside, it is over a two hour drive each way for me to go to this specialist, and afterwards I stopped for lunch, then stopped for several errands, all with no discomfort! I go back on 4 October for the results.
Ginger

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Thanks, Ginger
Maybe it was because I was so anxious about having it done. They gave me "Twilight" but I did have some pain when they administered the local and when they did the aspiration. I took Tylenol when I got home and fell asleep but had trouble sleeping at night because I sleep on my left side. It was still somewhat sore the next day. It could be my age or the Sjogren's or the CIPO and other autoimmune disorders that I have. I'm glad yours went so well though. I got the test results on my portal from the hospital and the diagnosis is Macrocytosis, which I knew I had but B12 and folic acid were eliminated as a cause so it could be from Myelodysplastic syndrome. I don't have an appointment with the doctor to discuss the results as of yet

Elaine.

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@beanglow

Thanks, Ginger
Maybe it was because I was so anxious about having it done. They gave me "Twilight" but I did have some pain when they administered the local and when they did the aspiration. I took Tylenol when I got home and fell asleep but had trouble sleeping at night because I sleep on my left side. It was still somewhat sore the next day. It could be my age or the Sjogren's or the CIPO and other autoimmune disorders that I have. I'm glad yours went so well though. I got the test results on my portal from the hospital and the diagnosis is Macrocytosis, which I knew I had but B12 and folic acid were eliminated as a cause so it could be from Myelodysplastic syndrome. I don't have an appointment with the doctor to discuss the results as of yet

Elaine.

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@beanglow Elaine, I am glad you had the biopsy done. For me, I was more anxious about getting there on time, because it is over two hours each way, and weather was bad! I am very surprised to hear the results were posted on the portal, rather than having your doctor review them face-to-face with you in order to answer questions! I hope that you can see your doctor soon to eliminate worry about underlying causes and help get you on a care plan of what to do next. Will you come back and let us know, so we can support you?
Ginger

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@ckeys

I have had with and without what they call “conscious sedation” and much prefer with some. They numb the skin and tissue, but can’t numb the bone. Pain is very personal, but with the stress of my diagnosis and not sleeping well or feeling good, I was more sensitive to it, so sedation was preferable to me. The doctor’s technique and experience can also make a difference...I had one drop the sample and have to repeat the bone marrow aspiration. One thing with sedation is you feel pretty tired after. My first one I did without because I had a surgical consultation right after it and needed to be thinking clearly. If you want sedation, ask for it in advance. My experience is most centers routinely offer it. Good luck!

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Where did u have with sedation?

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I was told told that sedation depends on which facility does the biopsy. I was given a choice and chose sedation. It was a piece of cake. No pain.

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I had one done in 2010. I wasn’t offered sedation. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Glad they offer it now. I will not go through it again without sedation.

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