Posterior Iliac bone marrow biopsy (BMB): What is it really like?

I got referred to hem/onc because I was noted to have anemia with normal iron studies and severely elevated b12 without any supplementation. I have also been extremely fatigued, easy bruising, and had a petechial rash that started on the tops of both of my thighs and lasted more than 2 weeks.

I felt nothing during the procedure. Make sure you listen carefully to post procedure. I am still icing a week later. I have a bad low back (pre-myeloma diagnosis) and am in pain most days. Some people feel very little during and post procedure. Always hope for the best!

@vszendrey88, have you had your bone marrow biopsy? How are you doing?

@colleenyoung
Both bone marrow biopsies no pain during procedures. First was in radiology, small clinic, with IV sedation. 2nd at bedside major hospital with propofol. Only discomfort is a dull, pain for several weeks post procedure. No one told me about the ice, which might have helped. Ibuprofen was my go to medication, rarely noticed it unless I was driving. Good luck to all of you.

I had a bone marrow biopsy in May to determine whether I was in MGUS or SMM territory. It was mildly to moderately painful for me. I think the process aggravated a nerve because I felt a sharp but momentary pain at one point during the procedure. I had a dull pain in the area for a few weeks afterward. I was on prednisone at the time, so the procedure will have to be repeated in a few months when I have finished my prednisone tapering. There's no hesitation on my part to repeat the procedure.

Had mine done with a local, no sedation. I drove to and from the procedure. A little weird, because the technician actually has to hammer the needle into the bone. Just mild discomfort. Felt the marrow being sucked out! Would do it again in a heartbeat. Wasn't actually enjoyable, but no great drama. No lingering aftereffects. A necessary inconvenience.

@drbart86
Please forgive this question... but why have you had 9 biopsies (if you don't mind)? I believe your biopsy "blocks" are required by law to be stored for 10+ years after their taken. If that's true, then why eight more times? Is that because your medical team is concerned about new mutations/alterations or serious marrow changes over time? I'm curious whether you know how frequently those change. Is it similar to a blood test, but changes less often?

@marcwall - Good question, and I don't mind. The first was when I was first diagnosed, the 2nd and 3rd were taken as symptom load was increasing and when I had issues related to HU. The remaining ones were for screening for clinical trials as required by the sponsor. Fourth, was a phase 1 trial that I ended up not qualifying for. Five, 6, 7, and 8 were for another trial screening; for this the sponsor required 2 biopsies and samples 5 and 6 were not good so had to repeat to make 7 and 8 (3 weeks later); I did get on that phase 3 trial but was the standard of care arm. Nine was to start a phase 1 trial that I started a bit over a month ago. And as long as I stay on this trial they will do biopsies every 3 months for several years (or something close to that as I understand).
The key ones were really the 1st and 3rd, and even if they looked at previous samples, they would not have caught the increase in VAF as it had increased to about 20% to over 50% in the last one (all in less than 10 years). In essence, were I not interested in participating in trials there would likely only have been 3.
Hope this helps (and now you know why, with "experience" one gets used to these and make sure that all know that lidocaine is really your friend). : )

I (74-year-old male, dx high-risk MGUS / SMM) have had three BMBs over last two years, all in hem/onc's office with only local anesthetic. Drove to and from each. Minimal pain, mainly pressure and vibration. Virtually no pain afterwards. I know that others have had different experiences, but for me each time was simply not a big deal.

If anyone is overly anxious regarding a bone marrow biopsy, talk to your doctor about doing it under mild sedation. I went to sleep, woke up, didn’t feel a thing. And I finally got an accurate diagnosis.