Very anxious about bone marrow biopsy

If you are concerned about discomfort you can ask for sedation. I am going to have a second bone marrow biopsy next month and I am asking for sedation. The first one was painful for me after I was told that it was no big deal but it was for me. Everyone's pain tolerance is different so do what makes you comfortable and less stressed.

So many comments. At the research hospital i had mine done at, it is a specific department. A Physician's assistant completed the procedure, and a nurse assists with another handling the specimens. If they do not put them in their tubes correctly you could have to do it again!!! Did not happen.
Routine as they explain what they will do. Facedown on a bed with a pillow to elevate. Your pants lowered so your hip is exposed. Lidocaine or another numbing agent is put on the site.
It is not pain like nerve pain that screams pain. It is a pressure. As has been described they are getting marrow and bone. I was asked by one of the three PA's who complete this procedure if i want to see the instruments they use. I asked him if he has used them? He said yes so no I said I do not need to see.
My last PA gave me step by step as he did it. I have had nurses chat and chat to keep me focused. The first of my 5 times they asked me how i was doing. I laughed. They said that is not a usual answer. I said who goes to a room facedown with their pants rolled down and 4 people are in the room assisting.
Getting the truth from a part of my body that cannot lie and needs archaic tools to get the substances that will get answers and questions. Amazing.

My bone marrow biopsy was painful . I needed the anesthesia so I got it. They later tried to charge me extra for that but my insurance paid for it completely after I contacted them when the facility sent me a seperate billing for anesthesia. My plan was supposed to cover the entire procedure no exceptions or exclusions.

I was told it was a terrible procedure and I don’t do pain well. But to my joy it was nothing. I have have bloodwork taken that hurt more. Just lucky I guess.

It will hurt. There are 3 sec of hell. Have him to give you the gas or what ever it is to make it easer on you

I've had 3: first without sedation and the other two with. Sedation is definitely the way to go. The sedation used isn't like in the old days where it took you the whole day to "wake up". I felt as if I could drive home, but HA. No. Quick procedure -- was in and out of the Mayo in about 3 hours.

I had a terribly painful experience with the first bone marrow biopsy, and my doctor said he couldn't understand why I was in so much pain. Well, 3 years later with progression of my amyloidosis, I had another, same doctor, same process. The pain was even worse this time. Again, my doctor said no other patient has ever complained of pain this bad. Well, 4 days later I went to get up out of a chair and fell to my knees in severe sciatica pain. I couldnt walk!!! My sciatica was very inflamed and the ER docs thought it was caused by the biopsy needle. I will never go thru that again!

1’ve had two after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. For me they were not bad at all. They deadened the area where the needle was inserted and all I felt was a little pressure which the doctor said I would. I was awake during the procedure. Area around where the needle went in was a little sore for a couple days. Some people on here make it sound really bad but that was not my experience at all. Good luck

I had one this month. Liberal lidocaine is the key. The nurse at the cancer center does these all day long. Expertise is probably as important as the ten ccs of lidocaine she gave me. She said my bone was average density (I do have osteopenia). The denser bones are harder and can be painful she said. I wonder if therefore older patients do better than young persons. I don’t know but my myeloma specialist said it’s the young men who scream the most. I didn’t experience pain.

I had twilight and no pain before/during/after procedure.