My Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration Experience

Posted by Kappa King @kappaking, Apr 2 4:49pm

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.

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2121 | @leslie2121 | Apr 2 9:04pm

Good for you! He sounds like a good clinician. 🙌

Patty, Volunteer Mentor | @pmm | Apr 3 9:09am

@kappaking
Thanks so much for sharing this. I think that there is a lot of anxiety about bone marrow biopsies as some have had a more negative experience. It’s good to know that clinician competency is key.
Years ago, my PCP grinned at me and said this about colonoscopies. She said “think about it… You want a person who does five colonoscopies a day rather than a person who does five colonoscopies a year.”
Certainly made sense to me, and I have asked a lot of questions before procedures. We should all vet our physicians carefully.
Do you have anxiety about the 10 day wait before you get your results?

wendy517 | @wendy517 | Apr 3 9:42am

I have a high tolerance to pain and like you, quite anxious about my BMBX. The PA who did mine was WONDERFUL, I had the exact same experience as you. Pleasantly surprised it was not bad at all. I did get quite a hematoma (sp?) that several massage sessions worked out for me. Other than that, easy peasy!

Kappa King | @kappaking | Apr 3 12:41pm

In reply to @pmm "@kappaking Thanks so much for sharing this. I think that there is a lot of anxiety..." + (show)

I find the wait to get results difficult. When this whole thing started - that is, when I first received blood test results showing my elevated numbers - I experienced the most anxiety. I was consulting Dr. Google until the wee hours of the morning. I think doing so gives a person a sense of control of a situation where s/he really has little. My anxiety has definitely quieted down since. My wife and I are now focused on staying positive, resolved to fighting this fight with determination and positivity, and living the happiest life we can.

Patty, Volunteer Mentor | @pmm | Apr 3 8:05pm

@kappaking
Excellent! Anxiety is not our friend so good for you that you’ve taken the bull by the horns. Keep in mind that Dr Google can be a glass half empty kind of gal.
I’m so sorry about the wait. I find that part maddening.
Thanks for the update. Will you let me know when your results are in?

nohrt4me | @nohrt4me | Apr 4 8:38am

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.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 4 9:34am

@kappaking So glad you posted about your experience. As with everything else, we can run a gamut of experiences and reactions. The anxiety ahead of the procedure, then the anxiety waiting for results. I drive 2 hours each way to my oncologist. He has done 3 BMB on me, two on the same day one time, when he couldn't get a good sample. He is just top of the list for his ability to do this with minimal discomfort. His MA is right there in the room, and we find a topic to talk about, distracting me. He has the lab tech right there, also, to grab the samples from him. I am proud of you for getting through this, and we all will be waiting with you for the results!

Grab a cuppa tea and a cookie. Take a deep breath. You got this!
Ginger

debhammel | @debhammel | Apr 4 2:02pm

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.

njhornung | @normahorn | Apr 4 2:09pm

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.

wabs217 | @wabs217 | Apr 6 3:35am

I too had my bone marrow biopsy and aspiration 4/5/24. I elected IV drugs and local. Not my first rodeo (since 2007) but noticed as I age my pain tolerance (was high tolerance) has diminished. I also have multiple sclerosis so my bones ache all over. Sore swollen icing my hip and waiting on results. I’m not one to complain. I grin and bear but have decided going forward to always use IV drugs as my option because makes this procedure tolerable. Wishing everyone the best procedure results and the strength to carry on.