What was your experience with bone marrow biopsy?

I had my bone marrow biopsy and aspiration today. As I was lying on my stomach, waiting for the doctor to come in, I felt an unexpected feeling of calmness, which I was very happy about. Much to my surprise, I don't think I felt anxious at all. That's not just me putting on a brave face - I'm not the brave type.

My doctor began by prepping the area and then administering the local anesthetic. I think that was the most uncomfortable part of it all. I've certainly experienced pain far greater in the past. I winced a bit, maybe gnashed my teeth a little. My anxiety level went up. But once the anesthetic took effect, the rest of the procedure was a piece of cake. At some point, my doctor told me that he was going to count to three and by the time he reached "three", I was to take a deep breath. Again, my anxiety level jumped. I was expecting the worst when he reached "three". At "three", I sucked in a bunch of air and...nothing. I felt no pain. Some pressure, some unusual sensations, for sure, but nothing like I had feared.

From the time he administered the anesthetic to the time he removed the needle, I'd say it took no more than 10 minutes.

Getting the results in about a week.

@wendy517 and @nohrt4me, I like that too, the BMB Club. I’m a frequent flyer… When I reached my 12th (13 total) I joked with the NP about, ‘Is this like a Baker’s dozen? Do I get a punch card or a freebie?’ Without skipping a beat she said, “When you reach a dozen we toss in a free colonoscopy!” Haha that shut me up!

Love that, the BMB club!

Hugs to everyone here who has joined the I Survived My BMB Club! Doc who did mine was a pathologist who was careful and did good numbing. And the nurse in there with me was great. Between her cheerful encouragement and the Ativan, I did fine.

I had my bone marrow biopsy and aspiration today. As I was lying on my stomach, waiting for the doctor to come in, I felt an unexpected feeling of calmness, which I was very happy about. Much to my surprise, I don't think I felt anxious at all. That's not just me putting on a brave face - I'm not the brave type.

My doctor began by prepping the area and then administering the local anesthetic. I think that was the most uncomfortable part of it all. I've certainly experienced pain far greater in the past. I winced a bit, maybe gnashed my teeth a little. My anxiety level went up. But once the anesthetic took effect, the rest of the procedure was a piece of cake. At some point, my doctor told me that he was going to count to three and by the time he reached "three", I was to take a deep breath. Again, my anxiety level jumped. I was expecting the worst when he reached "three". At "three", I sucked in a bunch of air and...nothing. I felt no pain. Some pressure, some unusual sensations, for sure, but nothing like I had feared.

From the time he administered the anesthetic to the time he removed the needle, I'd say it took no more than 10 minutes.

Getting the results in about a week.

My BMBs have been done by me on my side, the hip area exposed in the air. A pillow or bolster as needed to keep me from rolling over to one side or the other, and another one to give me as much support as needed to be comfortable. I have found the practitioner really wants you to feel relaxed as much as possible; it's to everyone's benefit! Local numbing only.

Would you be able to lay on your side?
Ginger

My problem would be that I can not lie in a prone position without getting nauseous. I would need it done in the front of my hip bone again. I know someone else who had it done in the shoulder but that was years ago when one did not worry about visible scars.

I had my bone marrow biopsy and aspiration today. As I was lying on my stomach, waiting for the doctor to come in, I felt an unexpected feeling of calmness, which I was very happy about. Much to my surprise, I don't think I felt anxious at all. That's not just me putting on a brave face - I'm not the brave type.

My doctor began by prepping the area and then administering the local anesthetic. I think that was the most uncomfortable part of it all. I've certainly experienced pain far greater in the past. I winced a bit, maybe gnashed my teeth a little. My anxiety level went up. But once the anesthetic took effect, the rest of the procedure was a piece of cake. At some point, my doctor told me that he was going to count to three and by the time he reached "three", I was to take a deep breath. Again, my anxiety level jumped. I was expecting the worst when he reached "three". At "three", I sucked in a bunch of air and...nothing. I felt no pain. Some pressure, some unusual sensations, for sure, but nothing like I had feared.

From the time he administered the anesthetic to the time he removed the needle, I'd say it took no more than 10 minutes.

Getting the results in about a week.

My BMB went extremely well. I was given an IV tranquilizer along with the pain meds which helped tremendously. For me, the hardest part of the procedure was getting comfortable enough laying on my stomach so that I would not need to squirm during the procedure. I was very well-cared for by the NPs who handled the procedure - all female, I might add :-). It was quick, easy, and while I did have some soreness and swelling at the biopsy site, it was not a big deal. The wait for the results was the hardest part! Mine confirmed Essential Thrombocytosis - no other indications of more serious issues.

I had my bone marrow biopsy and aspiration today. As I was lying on my stomach, waiting for the doctor to come in, I felt an unexpected feeling of calmness, which I was very happy about. Much to my surprise, I don't think I felt anxious at all. That's not just me putting on a brave face - I'm not the brave type.

My doctor began by prepping the area and then administering the local anesthetic. I think that was the most uncomfortable part of it all. I've certainly experienced pain far greater in the past. I winced a bit, maybe gnashed my teeth a little. My anxiety level went up. But once the anesthetic took effect, the rest of the procedure was a piece of cake. At some point, my doctor told me that he was going to count to three and by the time he reached "three", I was to take a deep breath. Again, my anxiety level jumped. I was expecting the worst when he reached "three". At "three", I sucked in a bunch of air and...nothing. I felt no pain. Some pressure, some unusual sensations, for sure, but nothing like I had feared.

From the time he administered the anesthetic to the time he removed the needle, I'd say it took no more than 10 minutes.

Getting the results in about a week.