Very anxious about bone marrow biopsy

Hello friends!
I have PV WHICH TURNED INTO MF !! Had three BMB
BIOPSIES ALL IN doctors offices!! They used a large needle to remove bone and bone marrow!! The third
Biopsy was very painful!!
Need a forth BMB BUT delaying because I know how bad it will be ! I am taking JAKAFI FOR ABOUT A YEAR !! My numbers are all in RED LOW !! Anemic so fatigued always !
My doctors did not use a drill ! Only large double needle!! When time comes and I must have another BMB I will go to interventional radiology
It will cost more but I cannot have any other way
Hate to say this ! But the pain was excruciating!!
Friends ! Ask good questions before any invasive procedure! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!! 💕

I had my first bmb this past Monday, 4 days ago. It was done by a nurse at the cancer center and this is all she does all day long, so she is very good. She gave 10 cc of lidocaine, key is liberal amounts of lidocaine to the site. I took nothing else but I had Tylenol (I was told no ibuprofen or nsaids) in my purse for post procedure and I’ve taken a few since for slight tenderness of the area. The anxiety I put myself through prior to the procedure was far worse than the procedure! The lidocaine shot stung a little bit. I moaned a couple times but no screams! Haha. From start to finish, being led to the room and then walking out was 30 minutes. It was No big deal. It was not painful. She said hard bones are a bit more difficult but I have average bones so it was easy for her and me. She said most do not take any type of sedation. I did not and agree by experience it is not needed. I did have EarPods in and listened to drumming music. I think this distraction was soothing and helpful. So my advice is do not work yourself up over it (guilty). It’s not a piece of cake but comes close to a walk in the park.

Headphones for your favorite soothing music!

I agree with your assessment of the procedure. My oncologist (RIP) asked if his resident could do the procedure with him. It smarts but manageable. My husband, on the other hand, had anesthesia and a completely different protocol

Tacoma General trapped me in the room when my son has his done So I can tell you the whole process..

First, they will inject a long need into the area, usually left side around hip. Please make sure it is numbed up before they add another longer needle into same spot. That right there will make the difference if you feel anything or the pain is intense. Give the medicine a few minutes to absorb, since most want to do this in and out and move to next patient. Make them make sure you are numbed up.

Then they put in another needle. Thicker. Then another needle goes into that needle and once they have made contact with a bone, it is almost like a very miniature cork screw that the tech will turn until he gets part of your bone. You should not feel this. It only takes a few minutes to get a sample. Then the tech will pull out the first needle and see if he got sample, usually a good little chunk of your bone. He will put it in a closed container to not expose it.

Then they will take the other needle out, put a bit of pressure on you to make sure no bleeding, then you are okay. There really are no restrictions, but don't go out and do heavy anything, I would totally recommend taking it easy for a day or two. They should have the results. My son has done 3 and there is no definitive answers. He has ITP. Losing platelets. Started with using a blood thinner, eliquis. Hope they find the answer. Hope this helped some. It's always more anxious when we psyche ourselves up to procedures. But once, they came in and took a bone marrow when my son was in the hospital and coming in unexpected, they were in and out and he felt nothing. That tech took the time to make sure he was numb. I can't express that enough. Make sure you are not feeling anything.

I had a bone marrow biopsy and I too was so scared. Like another member I used head phones with soft calming music. The only thing i really felt was some pressure, but no pain. I was surprisingly quick. The results took a lot longer.
God sent me an angel of a nurse to talk me thru and help me stay calm. I suffer from anxiety so that was my biggest fear trying not to move. I surprised myself and you will too. You’re not alone. Keeping you in my prayers.

Wow. I read all of the previous comments. I had a BMB about a year ago. Yes it hurt. However. It was fast, and over. It only takes a few seconds. Not worth the anxiety I had before I had it. I hope this helps.

Thanks for this info I was concerned about this too. People like you make life a pleasure. Have an awesome day from Nova Scotia.

I hate a great nurse, too, for BMBs, colonoscopies, TEEs, and breast biopsies. It makes ALL the difference in anxiety levels. Bless them!

I read the previous comments about BMB. I have ET, so This procedure was ordered to rule out other cancers , like leukemia. I was not nervous about the procedure , because I do have a higher tolerance for pain . It was quick and over in 10 minutes . First , They gave me A small dose of tramadol in an IV to relax me ( I didn’t really need it , and I experienced constipation ) . I was put through a small mri tunnel several times to find exact spot to insert small needle to numb the area , then a small drill to extract a small bit of bone marrow .
I bruise easily , so I had a rather large one for a week and sitting on that side was sore; otherwise no pain . The nurses were there for support and to hold your hand . The ET was confirmed , and I started on Hydrea which I will have to take forever . My side effects have disappeared and my platelets are now within normal range . If you have any more questions , feel free to contact me .