Bone marrow/MDS experience?

[OAPjust]

Possible MDS, bone marrow tests to follow in May, anyone else? Obviously worried about the diagnosis & the test itself.

[Hidden]

Dear OAPjust

I have just had a bone marrow test, sorry I don't know what MDS is but mine was for thalassemia and how the heart has been affected by it.

Like you I was a little worried about the bone marrow test as many years ago I had a bad experience, but that was 20odd years ago. Anyway I contacted the unit a few days before to say about my fears. Which is not like me at all, but I was feeling a bit bashed about by everything.

They were fantastic and told me that gas&air was available to help me relax. It seems not so invasive as other tests because you remain fully clothed and just expose your hip.

At every stage they told me what I would feel and when to suck on the Gas&Air, you have a local anaesthetic, and the whole thing took about 30 mins .

It is pointless telling you my full experience as we are all individuals, but the knowledge they can gain from the test is very accurate so well worth a bit of discomfort. Its not pleasant or for me it wasn’t.

When the local wore off I was a little sore, but my body has been through a lot more than this.

Take care , my thoughts are with you

[OAPjust in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou very much for replying to me, very helpful indeed.