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Bone marrow biopsy: Was it painful?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 9 hours ago | Replies (38)Comment receiving replies
I have never done doctors, i'm Jak 2 positive MPN ET, i don't want a bone b, i'll allergic to cain family so no numbing agent works with making me very ill, i also have MH Crisis from an inhaled gas, so i'm not sure they would sadate me, so i'm not sure why i really need one..i know it is for marrow scarring, but if they can't cure but can only treat with drugs that make you sick or have such side effect you don't have a life, i have not ever had the flu or a cold in my life, and i'm 76 and i work or did like a 50 yr old taking care of 2.5 acres to mow every week 200 trees and 50 rose plants, and my 96 yr old aunt lives with me. i ususally have a border collie but he passed in Feb of this year. I have Medical ptsd and it is just hard to give blood when you have never done it.. i can even go in the building with out having problems, As a kid i can remember other in the house being ill, but i was the one making toast and soup at a very young age. This is all too much for me to handle i think. I can move to Canada if i need to. i'm not afraid of pain, but i usually fix things. no doctors..
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Hi @ladyplumber7
Certainly as a patient you have a right to decide against any treatments or testing that you don’t want. But somewhere along the line you must have had blood work done that showed a high level of platelets because you were diagnosied with ET (essential thrombocythemia) related to a defect in the JAK2 gene. Basically what this means is the ‘off’ switch that controls the production of platelets is malfunctioning. So your body makes more platelets than it can use. Usually a bone marrow biopsy isn’t required to diagnose this condition because it is distinguished adequately through blood tests. Though there are times when a doctor will recommend the biopsy to determine the extent of the disease. If you needed a bone marrow biopsy, then they may recommend IV sedation which is super easy, no mask, no ‘caine ’ anesthetic.
When there is an overabundance of platelets it can leave you more susceptible to blood clots in legs or lungs, or at a higher risk for a stroke. Quite often, doctors will suggest a medication such as hydroxurea to help keep the production of platelets under control. There are other drugs, such as Besremi that are targeted to that specific mutation to keep those cells from proliferating. Another common drug, baby dose aspirin is taken to help keep the blood thinned. There are quite a few members in Connect with ET who take Hydroxyurea with very limited side effects but it keeps their platelets at safer level.
I realize you’re not a fan of doctors or medical procedures so you’re hesitant about taking medications. I don’t understand your reference to moving to Canada. The recommended treatment for ET would be the same. But either way, it might make sense to keep your stroke risk lower by considering medication.
Have you been advised to take aspirin or Hydroxurea?