Propofol for bone marrow biopsy

Thanks! I feel I'm doing really well for the shape I'm in. I do yoga 3x a week, keep track of steps on my pedometer and push myself to get in at least a mile a day, and I have no pain to speak of. Shortness of breath (heart), fatigue (ET), and mobility (spine) are daily issues, but I do what I can for the carcass to slow the inevitable. I knit for a group that helps homeless people and read incessantly. Gotta feed your compassion and brain no matter what.

We are all different when it comes to pain! My BMB was with no sedation, they said because I have sleep apnea, but I have had Endoscopies and was sedated. I did not like the biopsy at all!! The injection I was given before hand for pain is a joke!!

I had an esophagus “ stretch” . In short my esophagus needed endoscopic surgery. It was too narrow and I began aspiration into my lungs. You can aspirate when food or liquid won’t reach your stomach. It was a 30 minute procedure done as an outpatient. I was given Propofol through an IV in my arm. There may have been other meds mixed in. I don’t know.
I got into position for my gastroenterologist to perform the surgery.
I have a loose tooth so they put an uncomfortable tooth guard on my mouth. It hurt and the anesthesiologist said “don’t worry, you won’t feel it within a minute.
It took one second and I fell totally asleep and felt nothing. As a matter of fact I asked the doctor if he had begun.
There was a nurse monitoring me and she said “it’s all done, you’re in recovery “. Once the medication wore off I got dressed (had to wear a Johnny). And I called my non emergency transportation company to come get me as you can’t drive and the person giving you the ride has to be responsible. Uber and Lyft is out of the question but a family member can come get you once the hospital calls them.
I called a non emergency medical transportation company and walked into my home. Laid on my bed while more propofol wore off completely and I went on with my life.
I’m not an anesthesiologist or doctor and I’m wondering why they wouldn’t give it to you. All hospitals have it and insist on it. You are the patient and their job is to make medical procedures safe and pain free. Sometimes they don't want to pay the anesthesiologist and technician. I had the doctor a technician, and the anesthesiologist. Maybe it’s because you’re insurance company won’t pay for an expensive anesthesiologist. And I have sleep apnea listed in my medical records but that didn’t stop them from making me feel comfortable.

I rejected a Medicare advantage plan. They love painting how rosy they are but I call them garbage plans because they love to deny and some don’t cover existing conditions.
The monthly premiums may be sky high depending on the plan you get. I pay $175.00 Medicare coverage for everything. No deductibles and no copay. Includes medication for free. I went to United once and lasted a month. I went back to where I was getting superior medical treatment.
My card says on it “ Member can not to be charged” including copays and deductibles. I’m sorry but I call advantage plans UN advantage plans. Bottom line is their shareholders

Advantage plans vary, and we were very leery about it. But ours, run by our regional hospital system, has worked out for us.

The bottom line for all health care in the U.S. is shareholders because everything is for-profit--hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, outpatient surgical centers, Medicare supplemental plans, advantage plans, drugs. We are low-income retirees, and we know first-hand that adequate health care is prohibitively expensive for lots of people.

I’m glad your plan is working for you.
The only premium I have is for Medicare. I am 70 years old and disabled so I qualify for the whole enchilada.
Social security charges me about $165.00 a month. It comes off my direct deposit check. I don’t feel it. It’s for Medicare. I also qualify 100% for Medicaid ( now called Healthsource)
I don’t pay copays. I don’t pay for deductibles and the rest is covered by original Medicare. Medicaid pays for all my dental work as well. Including dentures when I am ready for them. Vision is paid every year and includes eyeglasses. I have hearing aids every 2 years and eye exams. All my doctors, including specialists are 100% covered. Non emergency transportation for doctors or clinics is free and unlimited I won’t name all my specialists because I have many. All hospitals and clinics covered. I don’t know what else to say other than I have not paid for healthcare for over 10 years since becoming disabled.
I’m assuming that you pay a monthly premium which varies depending on the plan you’re on. I belong to Neighborhood Health Integrity , they have a contract with Medicare and Medicaid and “extra help “ for OTC med and sometimes used for prescription meds.
Many advantage or supplement providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Mine are covered.
Your plan probably charges a high premium but lower deductibles or copays or both. Your other choice probably includes lower premiums but high deductibles and/ or copays.
I did notice that BCBS is a pretty good plan but I haven’t researched the specifics. See, I pay nothing because the government carries me. Advantage plans not so. I went to UNITED HEALTH for 1 month and it was a nightmare because they didn’t provide Medicaid so I had to get a Medicaid card. I lasted 1 month because they are to big for me. They are worldwide. I went back to Neighborhood health because they are smaller though they have millions of users. It’s local. UHC once told me that my dentist was out of network so I have to pay out of pocket. I checked my benefits insurance catalog and there she was. In-network. Had to call UHC and ended up with some kid from Kansas who told me I could appeal it. I’m not appealing anything. “You get it right the first time “ and I never heard from them again. So everybody ‘s needs are different. What works for you may not work for me.
All healthcare should be provided for by our government. Many other countries provide healthcare. Sometimes through government taxes or Free healthcare. We are basically the richest country in the world and healthcare is up to you to pay for and that creates a lot of corruption. UHC was fined millions of dollars for submitting false Medicare procedures that were not done. One of our congressman owned a for profit Medicare sucking millions of false Medicare claims for personal gain.
He still owns that company and was elected to Congress where he is pushing for private advantage plans for Americans. Convenient for him!

I am just beginning my AML journey. Initial diagnosis Biopsy and Chomo inpatient At Valley Hospital.
They did their bone marrow biopsies at bedside with just Local. As a retired paramedic I said to the Oncologist Holy Moses! this should be done with Propofol asleep. "He said that is not how we do it here.". Even the nurses were traumatized. So it was time find alternate care.

So Ive changed care to a setting which does them under anesthesia. World-class care at a different Institution. Requires advocating and research and standing up to my original Oncologist. And I'm happy to give up a day and have a ride home for each subsequent biopsy. There is enough un-avoidabl pain and suffering with Cancer. I urge you to inquire to what other world-class care possibilities may be available.

Welcome to Connect, @skibum486 though I’m sorry it’s due to your diagnosis of AML. However, you’re not alone in your journey. There are quite a few of us in Connect who were diagnosed with AML and here to offer support and encouragement. I had AML 6 years ago! With treatment and a BMT, I’m super healthy with all that medical drama behind me!

I’m with you on the BMBX under propofol! That’s the only way to fly! 😀 You were wise to advocate for yourself to find a better class of health care! AML is nothing to trifle with. You need to have a level of trust and competency with your medical team so that you can focus on healing.

I’d like to introduce you to a few members who have/had AML. If you don’t mind sharing more about yourself, I can ‘connect’ you with relevant discussions.
What type of treatment are you receiving? Do you have specific mutations which are driving the AML? Has there been mention of a bone marrow transplant?

I'm 64 years old and live near Poughkeepsie, NY. Diagnosed In Vlley Hospital NJ 3/14 began inpatient Chemo 3/17 completed/discharge 4/21/25. 3 days before my 64 birthday 4/23/61Met with BMT team at Mt. Sinai on 5/5/25.. Starting outpatient chemo pill Venclexta daily and outpt. chemo SQ injection 5 days month to hopefuly bring me fully into remission over next few months as my strength and immune system rebuilds.
In process of transfer Oncology care to Dyson Cancer Center at Vassar Brothers Medical Ce nter which is 15 min from my apartment. Mt. Sinai is looking for a match.
I am open to changing the BMT team I go to as well. Also self-referred to palliative care at Valley and transferring to Palliative here at Dyson Cancer Center/Vassar.

I too am happy you advocated for yourself. I am at COH in Duarte Ca and i have had all three PA's here and they regularly use a local like Lidocaine for the location of the biopsy. I have been told that sedation is an option, but i have not needed it. As to the needle, I am nearly sure my 30 plus years donating blood then platelets at the Red Cross leaves me little bugged by those needle sticks. For me it is a pressure, deep, but not painful. Here in Mayo connect land, there have been many posting that sedation is the way to go. Truth told, as a BMT patient, I have had 5 BMB so far. I am all for finding the location for treatment that listens and gives you a voice in the choices.
I heard one person say when asking why a procedure was being done, was told by the Dr because that is the way we have always done it. NO NO NO. What is the legitimate purpose and is it necessary for what i am being treated for.
Come check here, as someone will know.