Had bmb today

[Dolman]

Hi all , just had my Bmb today and thought I would just share an update on the procedure . It wasn’t half as bad as expected . A little uncomfortable be easily bearable so anybody who has to have this done please don’t worry like I did . Just got to wait for results now which I’m anxious about . Does anybody know the symptoms if the spleen is enlarged as I have a niggling pain under my left rib . My heamo did check my spleen at the last visit and said it was fine but I am getting pain from my left side .

[WileyFrench]

I can't comment on the spleen, but if your haemo checked it for enlargement at your appointment and said it was normal, it probably is. And I'm very glad to hear that your experience with the BMB was okay. That was certainly my experience too: a little bit of discomfort, but not any great pain, and I walked home afterwards. The next day it was a bit tender, but that was about it. Like you, my worry about it was way worse than the procedure itself!

[socrates_8]

Hey Lina...

Yes, like you I too have been most fortunate in that my Two (2) previous BMBs thus far have been very simple and largely painless procedures...

Try not to be too anxious while you await your results... Actually, best to not think about them at all really... Doing so won't change them one jot anyways... will it?

Try also to always remain positive and upbeat, I find that helps me immensely...

If you are still concerned about your spleen, ask your GP to arrange an Ultrasound of your intestinal organs etc... Then you'll have a much better understanding of the way things are at the present etc...

Best wishes

Steve

(Sydney)

[MoNut]

I might be wrong but I think the spleen is under your right rib!! I’m sure someone if I’m wrong. 🙃

[fee13]

Spleen definitely under left rib. As above, ultrasound is an accurate measurement of spleen & some people are more sensitive to slight size increase which is hard to gauge by feeling for it.

I had my first BMB last week & it went really well, no bruising, & ache gone after couple of days.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Dolman, thank you for posting and letting us know and for the positive words about having a BMB. With regards to the pain you are experiencing, you should ask you GP about this, it is very easy sometimes to put aches and pains and unexplained symptoms down to having a MPN or side effects from medication, when it could be something completely unrelated that can be treated, so go and get it checked. Kind regards, Maz

[Dolman]

Many thanks again for all your replies much appreciated Shaun

[Meatloaf9 in reply to Dolman]

Hi, glad your BMB was not a bad experience. When I had mine I had no pain whatsoever. I also get some pain along my left rib cage. I had a ultrasound which said that I had hepato-spleenomegaly - both were enlarged. Then a couple months later I had a CT scan with contrast (a more accurate test) and it said my spleen was normal in size and my liver was small in size. So, go figure. My hematologist who is excellent told me that you cannot normally feel the spleen unless it is nearly double its normal size, again, go figure. Good luck on your journey.

[MamPRV]

Hi,

Your spleen is on your left side. I have PV and my spleen was grossly enlarged at 22cm! This last year I have had discomfort with my spleen digging in my ribs especially when I was driving the car or sitting down for long periods. It wasn’t really painful but more of a nuisance. When lying down you can feel your spleen. Mine was easy to find as I am of slim build. Unfortunately I suffered a bleed from my spleen in August and I was in excruciating pain. As a result I had a BMB which showed slight progression to MF. I have been on Ruxolitinib for 3 weeks now. My spleen reduced by an amazing 6cm in the first week.

Hope that’s helpful

Michelle

[Dolman]

Hi Michelle , That’s exactly the same as me as get an annoying pain under my left rib whilst driving or sitting for long . Not so much of a pain but just annoying . My heamo did check on my first visit but said it seemed fine . I also had a ct scan on my kidneys which showed kidney stones so would have thought somebody would have seen it then . On my last visit to my heamo I told her I have some pain under my left rib cage and she said you sometimes do with pv . I would have thought you only get pain when it’s enlarged but I’m unsure . Anyway just waiting for my bmb results now which I get next week but just concerned about this niggling pain .

Thanks again Shaun

[MamPRV]

Hi Shaun I was diagnosed at 35 and I’m 42 now. I’ve always known I had an enlarged spleen as it’s very easy to find on me but it’s only been the last 6 months that’s it’s become a nuisance and uncomfortable. I only had a scan due to my crippling pain which showed it was almost double in size and had caused a small bleed. Do keep asking your consultant but it probably would have shown on your CT scan. I also got discomfort after eating tea of an evening and became very bloated.

Take care

Michelle

[tracey13]

My husband spleen was uncomfortable he had a scan it was 22cm last October so we hoping it's reduced back to normal size as he's on ruxolitanib now.

He's got a scan on Wednesday on his spleen so we will see in a couple of weeks if it has reduced by down in size x

[Karol_Rua]

Well done. I've had three bmb and two were fine really...

I have massive splenomegaly - I can see it clearly and feel how large it is - but there is no pain or discomfort from it - for me anyway. Apparently there shouldn't be pain. It just kind of fits in snugly even though it is larger than it should be. Maybe your pain on left side is unrelated??