Hi I have been told I will probably need a bone marrow biopsy despite being JAK2 positive. Can anybody give me any advice about this procedure, is it painful? Can I drive afterwards? Any thoughts why I might need this as I was told first time that being JAK2 positive was enough of a diagnosis.
Many thanks in advance. Love this forum it is really helpful in coming to terms with everything.
I had a BMB last week. If you are taking aspirin you should discuss with your hemo about when to stop to avoid excessive bleeding.
I drove home afterwards with no issues. It’s not a procedure you would do for fun but I won’t be concerned if/when I need another. A bit unpleasant in an invasive sort of way but no big deal.
Your backside may be a bit sore for a few days but nothing a comfy cushion won’t sort!
Thank you that's reassuring. Didn't think about the aspirin so definitely a question I will ask my haematologist when I next see them.
Hi Jen
I agree with Paul - it’s not something I’d do on a regular basis but I was lucky that I didn’t really feel a thing during the procedure. You may be a bit sore for a little while afterwards but that goes with time. My husband took me which I was glad of as I didn’t really fancy driving home. I think they normally suggest you have someone to take you - probably more for the moral support.
I am Jak2+ also and I was told the reason for the BMB was to check if I had any fibrosis in the marrow and also so they would have a ‘start point’ to compare with any future BMBs.
I was told to stop taking aspirin 5 days before the BMB so, as Paul says, check with your doctor.
Good luck!
Gill x
Thank you Gill for the information
hi, not a big deal as Paul and Jen say. I would just add:
- I think far too many of these r done: will the results change your treatment and diagnosis? if not why bother?
- think if u have gas-and-air with it u should not drive home
Hi Jen, most of us have them for the reasons already mentioned. Some choose to get gas or air. Be careful to check about any blood thinners you’re on, including warfarin and fish oil. Good luck. Katie
Hi Jen I had one done when first diagnosed with ET JAK2+ . As others have said to check for fibrosis. It was a little uncomfortable but not as bad as I expected. I was fine after just but bruised. In fact mine was repeated a week later as they had not taken enough first time . Both times were ok for me.
Good luck
Hi Jen,
I’ve been JAK2 positive since 2010 but when I switched hematologists this year I had to have a bone marrow biopsy. I thought it was to establish a baseline and to gather information. I should have demanded to know the reason for the BMB; I’m seriously questioning whether it was necessary.
I had always heard that BMBs were painful. I had both a BMB and a bone marrow aspiration. In one they extract the liquid bone marrow , in the other they take a small sample of the bone. I was told that at the hospital,( Memorial Sloan Kettering) , they use a technique that was not painful and indeed, it was not painful. I felt pressure and an electric jolt as they withdrew the samples. It was more jarring when they took a tiny piece of bone but the sensation was momentary and more startling than painful.
The way it’s done at MSKCC is that they give you a shot of lidocaine and push a little and keep repeating the lidocaine and pushing until they can do the extraction. Did not hurt at all.
You may want to have someone drive you home because if you’re like me - I couldn’t stand for almost 2 hours afterwards. My legs just wouldn’t hold me up- but then I was fine and I took the subway home. The doctor told me that that happens to some people and that some people get bad headaches. The procedure itself does not have to be painful. You should insist that they use the more humane procedure- that is, if you decide to do it at all.
Best wishes, Lu
Hi Jen my 2 year old granddaughter has cancer ( neuroblastoma ) she was diagnosed in July and has had 4 bone marrow biopsys since then, the last one at great Ormond St hospital last Friday in a short time she was running around
Hi Jen, worst part of the bmb for me was when the doctor asked for a longer instrument to get through the "padding" on my hip!!! I had gas and air and had a lift home. Didn't hurt and was fine afterwards.
Best wishes Lizzie x
Like the others have said the BMB is good for a baseline .
I’ve had 4 can’t say I look forward to them but they’re not as bad as you think .
I talk all the way through mine my consultant knows my whole life story 😂
Hope it is ok for you
Xx
I would definitely ask for gas or versed.
Bone marrow biopsy results. 
Blood Test vs. Bone Marrow Biopsy 
MPNs and bone marrow biopsy
Bone Marrow Biopsy 
Et progression to mf and bone marrow biopsy.
