CT guided Bone Marrow Biopsy: Your experiences?

I do not know what a CT guided Bone Marrow Biopsy is. I have had 5 done since i was diagnosed with MDS 17 months ago.

My Bone Marrow Biopsy 2/6/25- was very nervous before procedure that it was going to be painful.. Was given a twilight medication- wasn't out completely but don't remember anything until waking up in recovery. For me there was no pain before/during/after and no complications. Results 2/16/25

Let your medical team/pre op nurse know if you are nervous/have questions- they can help a lot!

This video shows use of ct.
https://images.app.goo.gl/XYosLzTimTHLCXKf6

I must add here that a friend of mine was in the room when her husband had his BMB and she said she nearly fainted. I clicked on the link above and found many journal responses and very in debt. A video? I honestly could not watch it. I have had five, and had lidocaine put on the area, and in all I felt next to nothing except some pressure. No pain afterwards. I have been told a patient made be sedated. To me, this test gives such good information, getting it is vital. In whichever method is best for the patient.

Hi - I’ve had a number of bone marrow biopsies - one was ct guided, so I guess it just depends on each facility’s preference. I always ask them to give me IV medication to get knocked out. But I have been awake for some too. The pain is not too bad and doesn’t last long. The recovery has always been fine for me with little to no discomfort at puncture site. It usually takes 7-14 days to get all the results back. Hope this helps. Good luck and try not to worry too much about the bone marrow biopsies - the thought of it is worse than the reality of it 😀

I have had 2 done. First one was done right in hematologist office. No twilight sleep, no sedative, nothing. Dr said it would be easier and faster for me as wouldnt have to deal with hospital. Never do that again. I almost passed out. My BP dropped so much they had to give me IV. Learned my lesson next one done in hospital. Not sedated but given some calming meds and was way better. No pain just uncomfortable pressure. No pain after or ant complications. Have 3rd one next month not my favorite test but manageable

Welcome to Connect, @edl75 Opinions are all over the place for BMB experiences, aren’t they? I’m with you, I’m a happy camper with mild sedation. Some people don’t require it and that’s fine too. I have a high pain tolerance level and have had incredibly skilled doctors or NP do the testing each time. But I just find it much more comfortable to go with the mild sedation, be zonked out for a lovely nap and wake up with no fingernail impressions in my palms. 😅

That aside, what brings you to Connect? If you don’t mind sharing a little more about yourself, what diagnosis is requiring you to have repeated marrow testing?

Well I have a couple of things going on. Diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2018 stage 1 so treatment was just radiation. Just found M protein in a blood work up 7 mths ago at .7....rechecked 3 mths ago .8..and just checked last week at .6. See my oncologist Wednesday. On top of that I have Gleich syndrome, I know you never heard of it no one else has either. Took a year of testing and visits to John Hopkins then NIH to determine and that was through a stroke of luck as a Dr at JH called a Dr at Northwestern who recognized my symptoms. All in all just bad blood but managing it all ok. Thank you for asking( oh first 2 BMB were for my Gleich)

For me there was absolutely no pain doing BMB. 😊

My husband had his bone marrow biopsy February 2025. He said no pain just pressure. I believe this procedure has come a long way in improvement in comfort for patients. He had to have each hip done because they couldn’t draw marrow. I believe it helped save his life and help speed up the process of finding his diagnosis of myelofibrous. So don’t be afraid you want to get your diagnosis as quick as possible bad or hopefully good.