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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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jrwilli1 | @jrwilli1 | Dec 24, 2024

My husband has had several biopsies with all being under local and then a few with twilight sedation. He now prefers just the local and just get it done. It is most of the time done real quick. He doesn’t like waiting for the results. He hasn’t had any for a long while though. Curious if at his two year anniversary of the bone marrow transplant if they will want one or just go off of the who’s who test at that time. It all is a true miracle that you can be given a second chance like this. Amen

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joetex | @joetex | Dec 25, 2024
In reply to @palepa "I had one with a local and was awake..resident did under my oncologist's direction. I felt..." + (show)
@palepa

I had one with a local and was awake..resident did under my oncologist's direction. I felt a little digging but nothing intolerable. My 89 year old husband was nervous about having one and his was fine under twilight sedation in hospital as outpatient..no problem

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My 82 year old wife has had three with no problems. One was done in her room.

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llovern1047 | @llovern1047 | Dec 25, 2024

I had a one marrow biopsy and aspiration two days ago. I was fully awake but was given some “light” sedation. Didn’t feel a thing. The procedure was over and done with super fast. No soreness at all afterwards.

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1 reply
dancedad | @dancedad | Dec 25, 2024

I had all sorts of preconceived horrors about BMB. Piece of cake! No pain or discomfort at all. Don’t get all psyched out about it. You’ll be fine!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 26, 2024
In reply to @llovern1047 "I had a one marrow biopsy and aspiration two days ago. I was fully awake but..." + (show)
@llovern1047

I had a one marrow biopsy and aspiration two days ago. I was fully awake but was given some “light” sedation. Didn’t feel a thing. The procedure was over and done with super fast. No soreness at all afterwards.

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@llovern1047 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see you have been a member for a couple years and this is your first post. May I ask the reason the bone marrow biopsy was done in your case?
Ginger

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dancouclanel4 | @dancouclanel4 | Dec 26, 2024

Beantown
Not one painful milasecond in 5 biopsies. Tell em you want to count sheep uninterrupted.

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hsminc | @hsminc | Dec 27, 2024

The people that replied here may all have had some sort of sedation and/or local anesthetic.
Be sure to request the same.

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becca13 | @becca13 | Dec 28, 2024
In reply to @murray3 "Over the past 7 years, I have had 4 bone marrow biopsyies and aspirates. They were..." + (show)
@murray3

Over the past 7 years, I have had 4 bone marrow biopsyies and aspirates. They were each done with local anesthetic in my doctor's office. I had no prior warning for any of them. Each one lasted about 30 to 40 minutes from start to finish. I experienced no pain and very minimal discomfort with each procedure. I drove myself home without any issue.

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Same here local anesthetic, in the doctors office pressure no pain walked out and drove home no problems.

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becca13 | @becca13 | Dec 28, 2024
In reply to @beanglow "Thank you for your reply. I was not going to have it done because I had..." + (show)
@beanglow

Thank you for your reply. I was not going to have it done because I had heard how painful it was without sedation. I will probably have it done now that I know that I can have sedation. I feel relieved.

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Oh get it done it’s not hard
Or painful- just pressure - during the aspiration it felt like suction- no after effects- pain. I had it under local in dr office - it’s important for our health.
Hugs I will be thinking and 🙏🏼 for you 💖

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rustypenny | @rustypenny | Dec 29, 2024

I had it done two weeks ago, following the suggestion of folks here to get a baseline on my MGUS. I hesitated,but moved forward. I had to go the oncology dept. of the hospital and got light sedation. It was over in a flash and I enjoyed the rest of my day ( I can see why people get hooked on fentanyl, all my arthritis pain was temporarily gone!). No pain, didn't even need a tylenol. The baseline showed I have smoldering myeloma, not so hot, but at least now, I know where I'm at, which for me, alleviated a great deal of my anxiety.

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