Bone marrow biopsy, scared

Hi, I'm having a BMB this Thursday, really anxious and worried about it all, especially pain. I will be having local anithetic to numb the area, it's when it hits the bone, crumbs sounds painful. This is my first time and very nervous. I have spoke to a professional member of the BMB team who will be carrying it out, she was very nice and reasured me. Feel like a wimp, still worried.

[Patchworklife]

Hi Blue... I’ve had two BMBs and although not very pleasant I was supported by a kind nurse and my consultant was an expert so I only felt discomfort and very little pain. I hope your experience is reassuring. I was very anxious before my first BMB because it seemed to be a scary procedure. You are Not a wimp.

[JP2018]

Totally normal to be nervous. I had a BMB over 30 years ago when I was in college and I admit it was pretty rough. So I was really stressed out when I was told I had to get another one a few months ago when they diagnosed me with PV. However, it was MUCH better this time. Maybe they have improved the procedure since then (?), but it really wasn't too bad. It helped that I had a nurse to talk to and keep my mind occupied while they were doing the procedure. We had a nice conversation about some books we both enjoy and it was over before I knew it. You'll be fine.

[WileyFrench]

I had a BMB last year and was nervous too. But it really wasn’t too bad. The doc gave a deep anaesthetic into the area and that was a bit uncomfortable but he said that would really help - and I think it did. I walked home afterwards and other than kind of an ache in the area for a day or so after that was it. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I was worried it would be and I’ll bet that will be your experience too.

[socrates_8]

Heheee... hey Hidden...

Cool... to feel like a wimp too...

Completely normal to be nervous also!

I have had two BMBs in 3 years, and in my case, I used the inhaler to numb the nerves...

I inhaled VERY deeply... & to be perfectly honest, I really did not feel too much of anything at all... But apparently, one MUST take deep breaths...

Just a tad of discomfort afterwards for a day or two... But not really any pain for me personally.

Best wishes that it all goes smoothly for you...

Steve

(Sydney)

[Chicagopv]

I just had one in 2016 at the Mayo Clinic. It didn't hurt at all. The unknown is always scary. Let us know how it goes.

[MCW22]

Hi Hidden, I just had my first bmb last week. Knowing that only local anaesthetic was on offer I took paracetamol and codeine before leaving home. Unfortunately the young lady doing mine was clearly inexperienced and by the time she called someone else to finish what she'd started, the pain relief was wearing off and it was excruciating. Had the other guy been doing it from the start I don't think it would have been so bad, but how are we supposed to know who's experienced and who isn't. If I had to do it again I would take a higher dose of painkillers than I did and take them on arrival at the hospital rather than when setting off on the journey. By the time I got home I could hardly walk. Spent the next few days watching the clock for my next dose of pain relief and needing 2 sticks to walk. One week on there is still pain in the hip and still needing a low dose of painkillers. Local anaesthetic alone is not enough.

[redumbrella]

Hi, I have had a BMB twice and like you I was pretty nervous the first time. On that occasion it was done by a Doctor and while it was somewhat uncomfortable I felt very little pain certainly it was a lot better than I had anticipated. The second time it was done by the Haemo Nurse whom I knew very well and to be honest I was so relaxed I could have gone asleep even with a local. You really have nothing to fear and the best of luck on Thursday.

Garry

l

[jointpain]

My lovely wife had one last year, and I never felt a thing😁!

Seriously though she was fine through the whole procedure. It took onlya few days for the results. Which weren't so great, but better than they could have been.

Good luck with the biopsy.

[pchg]

I put it in the category of a difficult tooth numbing experience. It was creepy to think of what was going on, but it was over very quickly. Very little discomfort afterward--much less than my pneumonia vaccine this year!

I always compare painful experiences to childbirth, with that as a benchmark, the BMB was nothing!

That said, why suffer? Ask for some alprazolam or something beforehand. That is what these medications were developed to help with.

[Meatloaf9]

Had one about a year ago, only had a local anesthesia. No pain at all, I think it all depends on the experience of the doctor performing the BMB. Good luck with yours, you might want to ask how many they have performed.

[mickey64]

I had one three years ago local only felt hardly nothing. The worry is worse then procedure just make sure they numb you and someone is doing it that has experience. Good luck!

[tracey13]

My husband said it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be.

[iceskating1]

How did it go? I am having 2 Bone Marrow Aspirations in a week for stem cell treatments. I don't know whether to take meds beforehand or just have the localized numbing. I don't handle meds well and wanted to know if you had the procedure without meds. Thank you.