Bone marrow biopsy

[Emeraldpv]

I’ve never had one, they’ll numb the area apparently. How bad is it??

Can I drive after?

[WileyFrench]

Hi Emerald - they use a local anaesthetic to freeze the area. When I had mine the doctor injected the anaesthetic deeply. He said not all do the “deep freezing”, so if you have a choice I’d recommend getting that - not just the more superficial area local. The freezing was a bit uncomfortable but it was good as it numbed everything very well. I didn’t find the biopsy painful; there were parts where I felt kind of a pushing or pressure, but not pain. I walked home afterwards (I certainly could have driven). I think the whole procedure - prep to finish - was about 45 minutes. It’s not something one would want to do every day, but I can honestly say that it was very manageable.

Leigh

[Emeraldpv in reply to WileyFrench]

Oh that sounds doable!

Thanks!!

[Paul123456]

Agree with Leigh, I’ve had two and driven home both times.

If you are on aspirin you might want to check with your Hem team whether you should stop a few days pre BMB. I only stopped the day before and it took about an hour to stop the post procedure bleeding re my second BMB.

BMBs not laugh a minute but I have no qualms about next one, in fact volunteered for another this December out of curiosity to see how I’m getting on with Pegasys.

[SP-2008]

Hi Emerald, It’s normally recommended to take someone with you that can drive you home after any anaesthetic. My wife has accompanied me both times and drove me home even though I would have been fine to drive myself. And it’s nice to have someone there for the company if possible. Good luck with the BMB.

[Chris3875]

Hi Emerald - I had no problems with the actual BMB, but I was a bit stiff for about half an hour afterwards and I don't think I would have liked to drive. Once I had walked around for a while the stiffness went and I had no other after effects.

[Jbone636]

When I had mine, they put me on fentanyl and some other drug. I had a bone marrow biopsy and a bone marrow aspiration done at the same time. I dont really remember any of it so I wouldn't have been able to drive after.

[francesb]

I had to stop Aspirin one week before so do check.. I've had several, all fine and I've driven myself home after.

[Emeraldpv]

Ive ring re aspirin, she’s checking but said carry on unless she rings back.

Thanks everyone, husband is in charge of driving now!

[Tico]

Hi emeraldpv, had 1 just over 10yrs ago & it really didn't bother me,perhaps because my symptoms were so severe back then,i had lost around 3 stone in weight & visual disturbances plus a load of more symptoms to boot, that h just wanted it done, the only thing i felt was the pressure & the pushing, i was just relieved to know i wud finally get a diagnosis.i wud take someone with you to help reasure you& perhaps a coffee later in the canteen of the hospital, i chose 2 go alone,i think my then husband wud ave fainted not me! Lol. Wishing u all the best & sending you lots of hugs.x🤗tina

[Emeraldpv in reply to Tico]

Oh he won’t be going in, bloody useless in a hospital. He’d be getting more Tlc than me 😂

[Tico in reply to Emeraldpv]

🤣🤣😂,lol. Atb again.

[home1970]

Make sure your dressing stays in place. My come off and blood everywhere. Fortunately had a good plaster, applied pressure it was fine. The worse for me was the anticipation before procedure. I advice not to drive for a few hours. GOOD LUCK

[Eadaoin in reply to home1970]

I have never needed a dressing. Had bmbs every 2 years for ages. Usually without sedation as I don't have anyone to come home with me after. Survive - somehow!

[Ebot]

Hi

I’ve had a couple of BMBs. I’d say neither would be a leisure activity of choice but then again no major trauma either. Yes, a bit painful as anaesthesia needles went and second one was slightly like going two rounds in a wrestling ring. The first one I walked down four flights of hospital stairs and then forty five minutes back to the car. The second time I took the lift and parked around the corner. Result, recovered far faster and in less pain second time around despite the tussle! My other half chauffeured both times. Your hip / leg can feel quite sore and not entirely effective as anaethesia wears off. Good luck!

[beetle]

I guess it differs for us all. I found driving difficult for a couple of days as switching my foot from brake to accelerater seemed to push my back into the seat which was painful. Of course we are different, the person doing the BMB is different and our car seats are different. I would recommend someone drives you home then you can experiment to see how you are affected. Best wishes, Jan

[Ebot in reply to beetle]

Yep. Do not underestimate the car seat element! First time around by the time I’d made the long walk back to the car my leg was dragging and not quite functioning. I plonked myself into the car, misjudged and sat down hard on the edge of the slightly bucket shaped ‘sports style’ seat. Right on the injection site. Needless to say I nearly passed out / threw up. Lesson learnt. Approached very gingerly second time around! 😂😂

[GardenGal3]

My BMB was a breeze, I had the local anaesthetic and a sedative and was relaxed through the whole thing. My husband drove me home, but I drove the next day. I took the bandage off more than 24 hours after it and found dried blood on it. No bleeding at the tiny spot and just a slight bruise. I never needed any pain medication (tylenol) after it. It turns out in my case that this was a very necessary thing to have done because my JAK2+ is now negative! My hematologist has never seen this before!

[Eadaoin in reply to GardenGal3]

I'm amazed to hear that people need dressings. I have never had one though had bmbs every 2 years for ages. Not offered anaethetics but could have sedation, though as I had no-one to come home with me I didn't have it. Desperately painful but all in a good cause. Had to stop Warfarin before it and went onto heparin injections (self administered) for a few days befoer back on Warfarin afterwards.

[Sheryljean]

I had the choice of doing this I. The doctors office or hospital. I took the hospital route . Went in early..gave me some propopol and the procedure was completed in 30 minutes. For me this was great, quick and easy.

[ChelseaF]

My biopsy was pretty painful. They had a difficult time retrieving a sample and had to go in twice. He commented multiple times about my very hard bones and my husband was nearly sick in the garbage can. The nurse told him she wouldn’t catch him if he fainted because she was there for me. LOL! They gave me whatever drug is supposed to help you forget but obviously it didn’t do the trick.

I could hardly bear weight on that side for that day and the next and it bothered me for about a week. I would definitely not have been able to drive home. It sounds like it typically goes better though!

[Emeraldpv in reply to ChelseaF]

Oh no!

[Eadaoin in reply to ChelseaF]

I acn't deny the pain. When I got home I lay down on the sofa. Then an hour or two later I knew that it was all over and I was up and at it again. Have had regular bi-annual ones and dreaded them but it was worth it to get the true picture of the state of my bone marrow. Sedation didn't make me forget the experience so I stopped having it.

[Timjonze]

I found it strange and a little uncomfortable but totally bearable and I’m not dreading a possible second one later this year. However I was quite sore afterwards and maybe wouldn’t have fancied driving home - although I did end up walking (20 minutes) instead which is probably worse!

[Emeraldpv]

I consider myself quite hardy but what a nightmare

Had local, that had pains shooting down my leg and quite painful

Tried the needle one, needed a longer needle so tried again, excruciating pain.

Then I started bleeding so they stopped, I’d asked about stopping aspirin and was told it was fine.

I’m supposed to go back...

I asked for a sedative but apparently not.

[Emeraldpv]

Well the saga continues

I went in today for another bmb under sedation

They gave me the recommended dose and I’m lying there chatting, decided to start and I’m shouting, they did some but weren’t happy with the clarity and the other doctor told him to stop as I was in too much pain.

So I got wheeled to surgery and put out, bliss!!