What was your experience with bone marrow biopsy?

Hi @wesleym, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing your positive experince with having bone marrow biopsies. So many different stories with all of us!
Having two biopsies in the past six month is usually an indicator that your doctor is keeping close eye on the progression or treatment for a blood condition.

I’d like to help connect you to others who might be living with a similar diagnosis. Would you mind sharing a little more about yourself and your diagnosis? What’s prompted the BMBXs?

As other comments indicate, patient BMB experiences vary significantly. I have had two in the last six months. Both were in the onco's office, using only local anesthetic (no sedation). No problem either time. Mostly vibration and pressure, with minimal pain. Drove myself home, an ibuprofen that night, fine the next day. For me, the thought was worse than the experience.

I have had 4 bone marrow biopsies & aspirates over the past 5-7 years. All of these were completed in my oncologist's office with no prior warning that I was going to have such things With easch one, all I had was localized freezing around the chosen site. The longest each one of these took was about 30 minutes. I had no issues with any of them ... no pain, very minimal discomfort, and actually drove myself home after each procedure.

That is why I wrote:

"Both personal choices that we should respect. ... That is what works for me, maybe not for you."

I just had one three weeks ago. I was physically nauseous, so I was given Versed (I highly recommend this strategy) and received a Valium for my nerves. I was not sleepy, but was relaxed. A PA did mine and it was a breeze.

At one point, she hit a place that was a little painful, but that quickly shifted when she adjusted the procedure on her end.

It was done in under 15 minutes.

You get all sorts of people saying the worst things about it. Just get something for nausea and ask for a valium, and you will be fine. Good luck to you.

Good morning, @normahorn. Goodness, no one is pushing anyone to have sedation. We’re all just discussing what has worked for us. As always on Connect, our conversations can be helpful to those who are having their first biopsy to hear from others about advantages or disadvantages of each option.
For some of us, like me, it will always be sedation. I found that I was much more relaxed going into the procedure knowing I would be asleep. Even though I wasn’t concerned about pain or fearful, I had already done 3 biopsies without sedation. One was extremely uncomfortable while the other 2 times were bearable. But when offered sedation I decided to try it. That had me hooked! The remaining 10 biopsies were all done under a mild ‘twilight’ sleep with propofol/fentanyl. It was a game changer for me.

I had very skillful doctors, NPs and anesthesiologists each time. There were no side effects from the sedation. I woke up refreshed with no fingernail imprints in my palms 😂.

I’m sorry the thought of sedation terrifies you. For others, the thought of the biopsy and discomfort has them more fearful. That’s why there are options available. While I admit I’m a strong proponent for sedation, I would never push anyone into having it. Sedation remains a personal choice. But it is also important to note, that for anyone choosing that option it isn’t a walk of shame. Does that make sense?

PUSHING others to have sedation, I consider to be as wrong as pushing others to forego sedation. Both personal choices that we should respect. I have never had anything stronger that lidocaine so sedation terrifies me far more than the procedure does. I even had cataract surgery (2) without any sedation. That is what works for me, maybe not for you. But then I had a BMB as a 14 year old child with only a local so I know what a skilled doctor is capable of.

Definitely have conscious sedation. If you're like me and it knocks you out, so much the better. Not bad pain afterwards, some soreness for a few days. Had one a few weeks back. The surgical team who did the procedure say they did everything correctly. The lab, though, says all samples were insufficient to get results. So all that for nothing. Not sure if I'll get another right now, especially with that health organization.

Thank you for your encouragement and advice! I will definitely report back here when I get a diagnosis from my specialist. 🥰👍

I’m glad you’ve been referred to a specialist too. It sounds like you have been, as you said, ‘dragging’ for way too long. So finding answers is the first step towards treatment and getting some normalcy back to your life.
I know what it’s like waiting for results of biopsies. So hang in there and stay positive. Do your best to limit your time with Dr Google. Inquiring minds always want to know but some of those websites can take you down rabbit holes of mis-information and articles that don’t even apply to your situation. ☺️. Been there, done that! LOL.

Sending positive vibes for only good news with the biopsy on Nov 11th! You won’t know the results for a week or more. Will you let me know what you find out, please?