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

The fear is worse than the procedure. I will say I believe the skill of the person doing the procedure matters. I had my two done at Mayo Rochester where they have certified nurses do the procedure. Highly skilled and painless, so I asked how long had the nurse been doing them.....15 years at 15 BMB per day. That's a lot of experience.

Thanks @drbart86. I'm really sorry to hear you've had to go through so much but it's clear you have a dedicated team and a will to survive... be your own best advocate. I too share the drive to study and stay on top of things. With AI now available it certainly ups the information flow. Why others remain blind to its capability is amazing to me. Best of luck with the new trial. God bless!

@marcwall no need to be sorry, this is essentially voluntary on my part.
But be careful with AI, it can be a decent tool, but it has many biases (and these vary by the platform). I was recently writing a white paper and had to do over 20 queries for AI get a correct answer, and in the end was almost answering the question with my query. And in biological /medical science I have seen many incorrect / misleading answers. Still no replacement for your own knowledge and for specialists in an area (believe me, you would probably not want to fly in a plane that I designed with AI or go to a rocket scientist for medical help. . .)

Oh, what are those grab bars over the gurney for? "If you need them for anything, just grab on and pull hard! Don't worry. We'll be holding you tightly."
Will you stop if I ask you? "
Oh, it won't last long...." (...whisper, whisper....chuckle, giggle)
Oh, Grandma, what a huge T-shaped needle you have!
"Better to gently prick you with, my dear."
##$!&#**!!*## Ouch!
"Please stop screaming! They can hear you in the parking lot and patients are driving away! And you won't be able to hear us tell you that you DO have blood cancer!"
All jest aside, mine was very painful. The nurses were (as always) very compassionate and helpful but it did hurt a lot. I'd suggest, really, getting a sedative or having anesthesia or having a bourbon breakfast.
The earlier you have a diagnosis, the better.
Good luck.

@cindyem
Good comment! I had first one with concious sedation in radiology, out for about 2-hours, no pain and don't remember anything. 2nd was bedside in hospital, I had to request sedation before procedure, but it was given too me. If you have a low pain tolerance or anxiety, I recommend get the sedation. Thanks for your comment.

I had my first bone Marrow biopsy 4 days ago, male age 78. Had it at a nearby hospital. I had sedation with versed & fentanyl. It was easy and I have had zero pain.