Delayed pain after bone marrow biopsy??

@snacker1206 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, family members, and caregivers here, sharing our experiences with others.

I have had 4 bone marrow biopsies, one on left side, three on the right. While I have not experienced any severe aftereffects like you have, there were a few days of discomfort. Have you checked with the dr who did the original procedure, to get their thoughts on the pain? If the pain is centered around the biopsy site, there might have been some bleeding there. I'm not sure what kind of image would be needed to understand what is going on there. Has anyone suggested heat packs, or a nerve medication?

Please let me know what your dr says after you approach him on this. I think he needs to know about your discomfort!
Ginger

I have not contacted the dr who did the BMB, because so many months have gone by and I kept thinking the next thing I try will take care of it, but nothing has. I am afraid he will ask why I waited 5 months. I have been using ice packs and tried gabapentin but it gave me migraines so I stopped. I have been taking muscle relaxers at bedtime with no relief. Thank you for responding so quickly. I am feeling pretty hopeless. You think I should reach out to the radiologist who performed it even tho so many months have gone by? I feel it would be a lost cause as all he would prob do is deny it is related.

@snacker1206 Don't be intimidated by your dr or the radiologist. Explain what you have done to relieve the pain. If your area is anything like mine, it is difficult to get through to drs, and get help. Your team should be kept informed of your situation.

Please don't feel hopeless! Go back to the dr who ordered it, first. These biopsies are not done on a whim, so all this may be tied in with what they were looking for.
Ginger

Hi @snacker1206 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! In this community based forum, we’re not medical professionals so we can’t diagnose health problems or prescribe treatments. We’re members just like you who share personal experiences and insights to help find answers, give suggestions and offer encouragement.

What an awful experience! So basically you had the biopsy and were fine for a couple of weeks and then started having the nerve pain? Does the nerve pain radiate down your legs?
I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this level of discomfort. With over 12 BMBs in the past 2 years, I’ve had one that was tender for months but it wasn’t nerve pain. My heart goes out to you!

You’ve been through so much with this already. I really hope the pain management injection helps you. Will this be a steroid? The area of the spinal column, L4/L5 does directly correlate to the nerve roots for the sciatic nerve. But for your comfort and peace of mind, it is certainly permissible before the injection to speak with the technician/clinician. Just so they are clear about where you are feeling the pain and where the intended target will be for the injection.

Will you please let us know how you feel after the appointment and you progress? Your experience will be valuable to other members on this forum.

I do have to ask…were the results of the biopsy good news for you?
Wishing you al the best, Lori.

Oh my - 12 BMB in 2 years! Wow. I am happy that you're experience with the procedure has been pretty smooth. I will add you to my prayers.

Yes - radiates down my leg. That's good to know L4/5 associates with sciatic. I will make sure to have a convo with the dr before the injections. I am praying that I will get relief.

The BMB was due to high platelets, and turned into some mutation tests which dx as I have essential thrombocythemia with a CALR type 1 mutation.

Thank you. Your responses make me feel not so alone. I was worried that bc this thread is old I wouldn't hear from anyone. I will keep posting here after my injections next week. thank you again!!!

@snacker1206 It’s my pleasure to be of help to you. This is the beauty of our Connect forum. You are never alone! We all have life journeys and stories to share. If we can help other along the way, it is a reward. ☺️

Thank you for you prayers. So far, my story has a happy middle…no ending in sight yet, thank God! ☺️ I do have another BMB coming up in July so finger’s crossed it is clean and well, no other complications. Honestly, I just feel gutted for you with the sciatic nerve pain you’re experiencing from your test on top of everything else. You are very strong…

With your diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia what is your treatment plan? Are there medications you need to take? We have a number of community members in Connect who also have ET and I’d like to introduce you to a few of them.
@dwlowrance @shenriq @candicemitchell320 @stevehurlburt @arianna
And a little information from Mayo Clinic’s site
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-thrombocythemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20361131
Take care and looking forward to hearing from you again. Stay strong and positive! Lori

Just finding this site. I have similar issues. Diagnosed with ET in Nov., had BMB mid nov. and started having burning calf and foot. I think it may be the sciatic nerve. Seeing my back orthopedist next week, hoping some PT will help. Not really sure if the burning is related or if Hydroxyurea could cause that but since I started having back sciatic pain I think that may be it. I have had lower back issues in the past on the same side though over the past year or two I had not had any issues until after the biopsy and medication start - 500 mg a day.

Hi, @lea123. Welcome to Mayo Connect. I’m happy you found our great community forum. I wish it was for a more pleasant reason than in search for relief of your burning calf and foot from sciatic pain. You’re right, this is a tough one to figure out if it’s from the BMB or the meds, since both happened at the same time. From reading the side effects of Hydroxyurea, I don’t see those mentioned on the list. But your symptoms are similar to some of the other discussions from people experiencing sciatic symptoms after a biopsy. It seems to be fairly rare though. I’ve had 13 BMBs and knock on wood, no issues.

Have you discussed this with your medical provider or whomever did the biopsy procedure? I hope you do get some relief after a visit with the physical therapist. Will you let me know?

You’re very newly diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia, having high platelets. There are several discussions in Connect in the Blood Cancers & Disorders group. I found a few links you might find useful.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/calr-mutation-et-and-constitutional-symptoms/?pg=1#comment-276869
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/276869/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-thrombocythemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20361064

I have been having burning pain in calf and foot when walking, on the side with the biopsy since bone marrow biopsy. Had some tests to rule out minor things, started having lower back pain and orthopedicst sent me to PT and they say it's the hip.. whole leg is hurting now, muscles. The burning, I keep thinking sciatic nerve pain from some kind of inflammation. Orthopedist says sciatic nerve not near there but I read about some rare things. It is leaving me unable to walk much and I am young and active, had hiked 4 miles right before the biopsy. I am going to press orthopedist to look further and be serious about injury from biopsy. It has been 3 months since the biopsy.

I'm sorry to hear that you continue to have pain. Did PT give you exercises to help alleviate the pain?