What was your experience with bone marrow biopsy?

I couldn't agree more. Everyone is different and will have a different experience. However, we are trying to spare others dread which is always present when they hear about others unpleasant expeariences. Some of us did ok and maybe it can help relax you so you (and others) don't anticipate. It's worth a try.

Although I’ve certainly heard stories on both end of the “ouch” continuum, my take away is that like everything else, one has to advocate for your personal preference. A conversation with your physician about other health concerns and risk may make sedation less appealing, but all other things being equal, patients should advocate for what they want. Justification should be provided as to why your wishes can’t be fulfilled. We tend to acquiesce when given pushback as though we are being cowardly, but we are all different with different fears and pain thresholds. All legitimate considerations.

Today I had this procedure. Sept 9th 2024, at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Washington state.

April 2021 I received two Pfizer Covid shots. Soon after I started to get weak, lost 15 lbs (looked like a skeleton) and my platelets became elevated.

Faster forward to Nov 2022 my doctor referred me to Fred Hutch. Fred Hutch diagnosed Essential Thrombocytosis with CALR exon 9 mutation. I started Hydroxyurea 1000mg a day, then 500mg a day, and now 500 mg every other day.

My doctor wanted to verify with a bone marrow asperation/biopsy.

Here's my experience.

I arrived for my appointment and of course they have to weigh you and get your vitals. After that they draw blood, and the nurse who will do the procedure talks to you and tells you what she's going to do and why it's being done. After that you lay face down on the table and lower your pants a little and the nurse feels around on your back hip and finds the right spot. She marks it with an X while the other technician is getting the needles and containers ready for the samples. Next is a local shot to numb the area, then after a while another shot to numb inside your body. That shot gave me a little jolt because she was numbing the bone at that time. When I was numb the nurse got another needle and started doing the aspiration. After the aspiration she took tissue from the bone.

The part from numbing to end was probably around 10-15 minutes. It didn't hurt and didn't hurt last night or this morning. Going to the dentist for a filling is worse than this procedure.

PS. I'm a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, so a lot of prayer went before my procedure. If we have faith in Jesus, God promises to get you thru whatever comes your way.

@exon9, thanks for sharing your experience with bone marrow aspiration/biopsy. I added it to this collection of experiences that are helpful for people who are preparing for their first bone marrow biopsy:
- What was your experience with bone marrow biopsy?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bone-biopsy-pain/

I have had two of them. They definitely numbed the area so I wouldn't feel anything.
I also asked them to give me an anti-anxiety med as I was so nervous. My experience then was painless and I was relaxed!

@ruth73
Greetings! Welcome to the Mayo clinic connect. Thanks for sharing your bone biopsy experience. I’m so glad it was not painful for you. Good for you for asking for what you need in the way of anti-anxiety medication.
Do you mind my asking what prompted your bone biopsies?

I had a terrible, painful experience back in 2012..think th he young doc had only worked on corpses! 5 punctures...no record of results! For convenience, now switching doctors for ET managed with anagelide. He ordered a biopsy with mild sedation after hearing my story. Hoping for positive, less painful outcome!

I have Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. The 1st biopsy was for diagnosing, 2nd was to see what progression is taking place.

I just came across this wonderful topic through another search of topics i relate to. As soon as i read Lori's laughed.
AT COH they use the topical choice. Anything else i do not know, but based on my experience with top notch hospitals they will work with you on sedation.
I was brought in for my 1st one and like others, i had the 1st RN who took my vitals and gave me the rundown on what was to happen. I had 2 forms to sign. She explained to me the steps that i would walk through for the procedure. The first time i was unaware of anything but the most basic. It goes with my routine of not studying procedures until after I have them done. PA's are who complete them today at COH.
So, on my tummy i went, a pillow under my head and one under my tummy. Pants are pulled down just about where your behind shows. Another lesson in modesty I thought with 4 people in the room. The PA, her Asst, the RN getting the samples and 1 other for a bit.
The procedure is announced as the PA works. They asked if i want the Lidocaine topical and i said yes. The tools they use for the Aspiration and the Biopsy are rather wicked looking, even though they are small tools.
Once I had a dentists assistant hit my nerve when doing a root canal. THAT HURT!
Adding here, the 4th person is chatting with you and keeping you talking to get your mind off things. The PA walks through when she will inject for the aspiration and then for the biopsy. It was not what i call painful but toe tingling. A pressure unlike i have felt before but nothing i would say was unbearable. I was asked by the PA after the 1st procedure if i was doing ok. I laughed and said i am good. She told me later, no one had laughed before. We enjoyed humor as we were finishing this procedure. The 2nd procedure was done and i said whew done. About 10 minutes for that and about 5 more to make sure i was not affected and able to get up and walk away. My question after this procedure was if they got 2 good samples. I was told better than good.
I have had two more with one more coming in a month or so and more to follow later. I had my 1st team twice. All women. Calm and nice. The 2nd one was done by a different team, and the lead PA was a male. He was funny. He asked me if i wanted to see the tray of implements he would use today. I asked him if he had done this procedure before and his answer was yes, many times. I do not need to see them i said. His hand was a little more pressured in the 2 procedures. I know they work the Friday; I am choosing Thursday.
I said earlier that I review after i get the procedure. I found out from Mayo Clinic who often posted procedure and test info I have learned much from. A BMB was one of those tests.
My first one confirmed my MDS progression and my TP53 mutation. My 2nd and3rd are showing my BMD's installation in my body. The 4th, 5th and 6th will be the same. I will do any asked until the transplant team says we are done for now.
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Were you in the room with doctors? only joking.....exactly my experience, I had it Jan 2021. Only discomfort was lying on table face down with pandemic mask, and had trouble breathing.