Bone Marrow Aspiration - Long Term Pain Expecations

Posted by gmill123 @gmill123, Oct 14, 2020

Hello -

I had a bone marrow aspiration completed for a stem cell banking process about 3.5 months ago now, and I'm still having pain as if it was done yesterday. I've seen a lot of doctors about it and they are all saying pretty much that I just have to wait.

Everything that I saw and read before the procedure said that I would be "normal" within 1-2 days after the procedure, and I'm just so shocked at how wrong all of that is.

Has anybody else had experience with a bone marrow aspiration?

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@gmill123

Just 2 days? Like you have no further complications or anything?

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I did not have complications. The bone marrow biopsy was done at top of my left hip. My doctor has a lot of experience.

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@gmill123

Yes, I've seen one other doctor who wasn't able to do much as this doctor was not familiar with the bone marrow aspiration process. I had an ultra sound completed and have images but again I haven't really been told anything that will be helpful.

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I am very sorry . Your oncologist who performed the procedure should be helping you. Fever, chills would indicate infection. I have been told sometime biopsies cause nerve damage depending on the location. Nerve damage takes awhile to heal.

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@gmill123

that's quite a few biopsies! Do you get them done from the same spot? the pain is a deep ache - it feels as if I had the procedure done yesterday.

Unfortunately, I can't speak to the doctor who did the procedure. It was at his private clinic and he's frustrated with me for asking so many questions so he's refused to work with me any longer.

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After my biopsy in 2011 which proved I had MF, I had an appointment with the consultant. She offered me the chemo tablet. I said, "No thank you, I cannot believe that something which does so much harm can be good for one!" She 'sacked' me on the spot. (Just as well). My GP, a fine man, got me another consultant and later I saw another who is very good. He accepts I am using natural supplements - with the help of a medical herbalist. He also said recently, in front of a student. "Whatever you are doing, keep on doing it. It is working. You are unusually stable!"

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@gmill123

that's quite a few biopsies! Do you get them done from the same spot? the pain is a deep ache - it feels as if I had the procedure done yesterday.

Unfortunately, I can't speak to the doctor who did the procedure. It was at his private clinic and he's frustrated with me for asking so many questions so he's refused to work with me any longer.

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All my biopsies were for diagnosis and progress Updates with my treatments of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and subsequent SCT. From what I’m reading about your experience I’d also recommend a change in treatment centers. I guess I’m not understanding who secured your stem cells for treatment. Will you be having a stem cell transplant? Cell harvesting is generally completed under the supervision of a stem cell/bone marrow transplant team. They’re dedicated to your treatment, care and education. If you’re not getting the answers you deserve then definitely seek expertise elsewhere. We ask a lot of questions of my team if concerns pop up and never dismissed out of hand. I’m so sorry you’re having a negative experience.

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@gmill123

Hi - Thank you for this.

No, I just had a bone marrow aspiration completed to bank stem cells for future use. I'm worried I had some permenant damage and I am not receiving adequate care from any doctor and I have to wait 2 months before I can get in to see a specialist.

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Hi Gmill,
Sorry to hear about your problems post the bone marrow biopsy. I’ve had 3 thus far, to detect and access the state of my disease - I have multiple myeloma. I have experienced soreness and pain post aspiration that lasted couple days to a week max. Reading your experience, it would be best to consult a specialist that really understands the procedure and your problem. Also, Since you are training for Ironman, I’m assuming you have a rigorous exercise routine - does that have anything to do with the discomfort?

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@duttasujata

Hi Gmill,
Sorry to hear about your problems post the bone marrow biopsy. I’ve had 3 thus far, to detect and access the state of my disease - I have multiple myeloma. I have experienced soreness and pain post aspiration that lasted couple days to a week max. Reading your experience, it would be best to consult a specialist that really understands the procedure and your problem. Also, Since you are training for Ironman, I’m assuming you have a rigorous exercise routine - does that have anything to do with the discomfort?

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Have you had any long term discomfort?

Part of me also feels badly because I didn't need to do this procedure but I was convinced by a company that it would be a good thing to do. I did this procedure to bank stem cells while I am young and now I am having issues with it.

I'm assuming my working out has to do with the pain, but it's mainly rough in the morning and not while I actually am working out.

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I almost feel like I shouldn't be complaining because everyone else who probably had this procedure done had some sort of serious complication. For you guys, I have a newfound respect and admiration of what you have to go through.

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@gmill123

Have you had any long term discomfort?

Part of me also feels badly because I didn't need to do this procedure but I was convinced by a company that it would be a good thing to do. I did this procedure to bank stem cells while I am young and now I am having issues with it.

I'm assuming my working out has to do with the pain, but it's mainly rough in the morning and not while I actually am working out.

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I had a prolapsed disc in 1993. If I overdo the active, even now I feel the effects two days later! I have found that sometimes it takes a while for the muscles to react! That could be it!

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@jengri

My first bone marrow biopsy was slightly sore for about two days. Waiting two months for a specialist is unacceptable. I know that is not helpful. Do you live in U.S?

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@migizii. This is a very common time frame for me to wait for a specialist too, but it is not unusual to have to wait up to six months. I live in the USA.

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@migizii

@migizii. This is a very common time frame for me to wait for a specialist too, but it is not unusual to have to wait up to six months. I live in the USA.

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Timely access to our physicians is critical. I find this wait time very unusual. I’ve seen specialists at UVA, Duke and most recently the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. The latter was scheduled in less than a month. That said, it takes me about 2 weeks to fully recover from a biopsy. I have level 3 fibrosis which makes the procedure more challenging.

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