Delayed pain after bone marrow biopsy??

I haven't heard many follow-up up stories from people. I had my BMB on 4/1 of this year and have been in constant pain, weakness, and numbness since. The lump in my bone seems to have gotten smaller though. My stories are similar to some of the others. CT scan and x-ray showed nothing, given inflammatories and muscle relaxers, icing, PT ect. Oddly enough I was able to get the pain to shift almost fully to my back for a week before it returned to my leg/glute. Several have told me it's just siatica, but I feel it should have subsided in 6 weeks. Trying to have hope it will. I was a very active person before this and can barely walk a quarter mile without limping.

Hi all,
Just wanted to share my story and see if anyone else has any success stories if they've experienced what is happening with me, chronic pain and numbness after a Bone Marrow Biopsy.

On 4/1/22 I had a bone marrow biopsy on my right iliac crest due to chronic low white blood cells over the past 4 years. Thankfully they were able to rule out blood cancers, however I’ve now been left with severe pain starting from the middle of my glute down my leg. The pain sometimes turns to numbness and weakness, causing me to walk with a limp. It’s been a difficult adjustment as before this I was a very active person, working out 4-5x a week.
After the surgery I was told they had to try 3 times for marrow, which would increase recovery time. I’ve heard multiple attempts aren’t that abnormal though. I was not given much instruction on how long recovery would be, the Dr doing the attempt said it would be 1-2 days recovery and I could workout.

A week and a half later: I was still in pain but since I waited more than the recommended time, I tried a light run and some rowing. I had to stop due to the pain. Soon after (or maybe I missed it), a lump developed right above the biopsy incision site. It looked like bone sticking out. I called the onocologists office who performed the biopsy and was told to get imaging due.
2 and a half weeks since biopsy- ER Visit: I went to the ER and had an x-ray done, no bone fracture. A bedside ultrasound was done and I was told it was a hematoma with sciatica and sent home with stretches to do and Flexeril. The stretches make things worse and cause my leg to go even more numb.
4 weeks after biopsy- Followup to PCP: I was given a 5 day supply of presnidone and some more Flexeril since I told the dr that motrin seems to help a little. I tried this with not much relief. I had a CT scan done with and without contrast- nothing abnormal found.
5 weeks after biopsy- Oncologist followup: Oncologist reviewed the CT scan, xrays, looked at the lump which is actually a little bit smaller now. In his experience he said he’s never seen long lasting nerve pain but didn’t want to rule it out. He told me to try physical therapy.
6 weeks after- PT: Did some basic stretches and exercises, they seemed stumped but said I could try any exercise as long as it didn’t hurt.
At home I tried some light biking on my spin bike and a few hours later 95% of the pain moved to my lower back.. my leg felt better! I told this to PT and they said the pain is localizing. A week later they had me try squats and the pain returned to my leg, and my back is still in pain.
I’m stumped. I got a prescription for Celebrex now in hopes something can tame the inflammation. I know its only been 7 weeks, but the pain and loss of function is really impacting things and the lack of clarity from my drs has me feel a bit hopeless. I see a chiropractor tomorrow and get the prescription filled in.
Even thought it feels like sciatica sounds, it doesn’t seem to add up. I’ve been icing, using heat compresses, lots of anti inflammatories, stretches, limiting walking, increasing walking, etc (all with regular intervals, not all at once).
Sorry for the lengthiness, I hope someone is able to get something from this, or if you have and advice please let me know.

@gonlee1, I appreciate all the details of your post. It sure sounds like you've pursued all avenues to get to the bottom of what is going on and to get back to your normal level of activity.

It sounds like you've got a good physical therapist and that you are dedicated to consistently doing the exercises prescribed. I know it's frustrating, but PT can take a long time to resolve issues. Dedication and consistency along with determination are your best tools. I hope others have more suggestions. I really hope continued PT, Celebrex and the chiropractor help.

@gonlee1, I'm sorry your experiencing so much discomfort. I had my bone marrow biopsy 2 years ago. I had some soreness on the area for the 1st week. On the 7th day, I decided to bathe my 70 lb dog, lifting him in the tub...I believe that was a set back for me. I then had more pain for at least 2 weeks, if I remember correctly. Nothing down the leg. Just tender to sit or lay on the side of that hip area, and driving was uncomfortable. It slowly let up. It's my understanding there's a risk of slight fracture when they enter into the bone. I would insist on an MRI if I were you...sounds a bit long your not recovering.

Yes, the same happened to me. Soreness right after biopsy done, got better, then wham! I spoke with my doctor about it (4 wks later at appt) but by that time it was ok. He told me I could have called and he would have sent out some pain medication. Wished I had of! I also have fibromyalgia and wondered if that had anything to do with the delayed pain. I hope you are ok now and having no pain. It was miserable like you said. Every once in a while, I'll still have pain at the site but it's never constant like before. Hope my answer helped you in some way. 😊

I had a Bone Marrow almost 4 weeks ago. I felt fine for the most part. Just a little soreness that went away after around the 2nd week. Now I have this swelling and tightness just to the right side of my spine. I can't imagine why. Has anyone ever experienced this.?

Good morning, @cassandralov99. Your initial reaction to the bone marrow biopsy sounds pretty normal. It would be really odd to have a latent reaction this late following the biopsy, especially so close to the spine. The biopsy would have been several inches from there. Do you think you might have strained your back by bending or sitting differently? The swelling and tightness sounds more like a muscle strain.
I’ve had 13 bone marrow biopsies and haven’t experienced the swelling and tightness from the biopsies that you’re describing, however I occasionally have a lower lumbar/sacrum tender, puffy, tight area if I’ve over exerted lifting weights or heavy items. It’s right next to my spine but not a compressed disc. I use Bio-freeze there and roll it out with a therapy roller. Does that sound similar to what you’re experiencing? Is the area that’s swollen large or small? Is it hot or tender to the touch?
If it persists and you feel it’s related to the biopsy it’s a good idea to check with your doctor just to make sure there’s nothing amiss.
How about the biopsy? They’re usually taken if there is some concern for a blood or bone marrow condition. Any news on the results?

Good morning to you as well. Thank you for responding. The results of my Bone Marrow Test were not completely satisfying. It did rule out Bone Cancer, Acute Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin Leukemia/Lymphoma and metastatic Carcinoma or Plasma cell Neoplasm. However, after telling me what it was not, it left me with so many unanswered questions. B-12 deficiency and Folate ruled out Megaloblastic Anemia. I had been having abnormal blood results for a while now. For instance my nRbc's, Immature Grans, Absolute Grans, have been high or low. So my Oncologist wanted to rule out cancer I previously had breast Cancer about 12 years ago and there were multiple family members that have had different types of cancer that have since passed away. I am in pretty good health. Based on the Lab Doctors findings and comments there is a possibility of one of several Autoimmune Diseases. So, I asked my Oncologist about doing further test and because there was no Bone Cancer, he said i would have to get another Doctor to run those tests. So, at this point I am looking around and trying to find another type of expert doctor to help me figure this out. Because the results also said that I have Double Positive T-Cells that can be seen in aging, but also Autoimmune, infection and chronic inflammatory conditions, and neoplastic processes. I also had a Breast MRI in February that found lump or knot, that is Fatty Necrotizing Tissue. So I am wondering if my body is trying to fight that and if that may be what my T-Cells are trying to do. Also Capsular Contraction was noted on the Breast MRI. I know this is a lot of information, forgive me. It is just nice to be able to discuss these issues with someone.

Never hesitate to ‘spill all’ here in the forum. That’s what we’re here for so there’s no need for an apology! Many of us have had an illness we’ve had to manage on our own. I went through that with my acute myeloid leukemia and bone marrow transplant. My doctors and teams were amazing but unless you walk the walk, it’s really difficult to really know what it feels like to be on the ‘illness’ side of health.

I’m happy for you that there’s no blood cancer. Finding an autoimmune disease can be a challenge. The chronic inflammatory conditions can mess with the immune system and can cause symptoms too. The Capsular Contraction noted on the MRI is also a side effect of chronic inflammation. Did your oncologist point you in any direction for care? Is your oncologist also a hematologist?
Have you seen a rheumatologist?

To determine if I still had polycythemia vera or myelofibrosis a bone marrow biopsy was done but now a month later I have extreme lower back pain and cannot stand up straight making mobility very painful or near impossible. I'm wondering if this is a common occurrence or not related at all to the BMB which was/seemed very smooth and painless?