Bone marrow biopsy: Was it painful?

@loribmt I've had one biopsy. It was at hospital, it was so painful I want have another one. They gave me a local, I felt drill go through my bone and them drawing marrow out of bone and she did that twice, never again. I am seeing a new doctor this month and praying he does not want to do a biopsy because I can not do that again. I have a high tolerance for pain but that was the worst.

Hi @hun8ln2026. Oye! You have me cringing right along with you, so I hope you won’t need another bone marrow biopsy. But sometimes they are a very necessary source of information for your doctor.
If you do need one, let your doctor know that you’d like sedation. You mentioned your last one was at a hosptial. So they are usually equipped to offer sedation. Just make sure to request it ahead of time.
There’s no stress, no pain and you wake up refreshed…usually to juice and a snack. Let me know what you find out, ok?

@wesleym
Same experience here. I have had at least two, I don't remember if there was a third. Each time was just injection to deaden the area and a little pressure and it was over. I have had tests that were a lot worse.
I guess the thought of them going into your bone and extracting a sample of marrow makes it sound scary and painful but not in my experience. No anesthesia was used or needed. Probably helpful to be relaxed.

Just to be completely honest, while the procedure wasn't painful. The procedure left a big black/blue mark.....maybe 2-3 inches in diameter, which took a week to disappear, it didn't hurt, but looked terrible.

@loribmt thank you, yes I will ask for sedation next time. No one should go through that awake. Will let you know about visit with new doctor on September 15th. Thank you. 🙏

I had my bone marrow biopsy at the iliac crest done by a nurse practitioner. They offered an Ativan orally beforehand. I shouldn't have taken it, because they wouldn't let me ride my bike home with the Ativan on board. The procedure was painless. Just a bit of a local lidocaine infusion at the site.
I was just overly worried.

Patients have different experiences based on the center and practitioners within the center. I once held the hand of a patient while the head of this famous bone marrow transplant center attempted to do the biopsy. this otherwise stalwart friend screamed; it was horribly painful and he was clumsy. Later she found a NP at the same facility who was able to
Do a bmb that was tolerable. This center refused sedation for patients.
There are other centers that routinely use sedation. That would be my kind.
I have not had a bmb yet in 24 years and will avoid it if possible.

Mayo rourinely uses sedation.