Yesterday I had my 2nd BMB ( 8 yrs between the first and second)
Yes I was anxious , although not as anxious as the first.
I just wanted to reassure those out there who are terrified at the thought. It really isn't bad. Yes there might be some pain and discomfort but only for 30 secs perhaps 1 minute tops. It's bearable.
My pain threshold isn't great but the whole experience was over within 45 mins. Don't panic, the medical staff know you are anxious, they'll be kind x
Now I await the results.
glad yours was ok mine not so good
Mine have been variable (post SCT I have to have them approximately every 3 months). The most recent was agony and the sample was "inadequate" so it has to be repeated!
Oh that's tough. I guess each procedure affects individuals
differently.
I just wanted to share that whilst it isn't a walk in the park it's not as scary as imagined.
But that's just my opinion.
Best of luck with your treatment 👍
On the whole I agree with you and my first one in 2001 actually was pretty much a walk in the park! I think it very much depends on the person doing it.
oh awful. How are you doing?
I recovered from it quickly and I think the doctor lacked experience. I'm hoping that my consultant gets someone different to do the next one.Post SCT I feel surprisingly well after a very bumpy ride after I came out of hospital. Thanks for asking, Jennie
Poor you....hoping sct is going along ok and you are feeling reasonable.Lynn
Thank you. I feel pretty well at the moment, after feeling really ill when I first came out of hospital. I had some skin GVHD but that has cleared. One day at a time!
brilliant I hope it continues
Best of luck to you in your results! I have my first BMB coming up in the next month or so.
Hope your results are good! I had a bmb on Wednesday and although the procedure itself wasn’t too bad the after effects are horrendous! M6 first one was fine, just sore for a couple of days, this time the pain is awful. It must depend on the doctor who does it.
I'm glad your bmb was ok . I went for mine and they had problems got another person in to do it . Went back yesterday for my results and I've got to have it done again because they didn't get enough biopsy. Hope this doesn't happen again because the area they took it from is still sore to the touch . Hopefully they will use the other side but I can't say I'm not scared as anyone else experienced problems
I have never had a biopsy as they just took bloods and diagnosed ET from them. I am JAK 2 positive though so I guess a biopsy was not required. I hope !!!!!!
They have said my blood shown that I'm jak 2 positive but they still wanted a BMB
So what are they actually looking for by doing a BMB? There has never even been a hint of one for me. Not complaining though lol
They said they need to know which MPN I have so they can diagnose and treat me . I'm Jak2 positive had a BMB and it wasn't adequate so I need another one 😩 are you on any medication?
I am on Hydroxycarbamide and aspirin. They are quite dismissive of mpn is not cancer in their eyes. My platelets are under control and she admitted she wasn't quite sure what I had at the very start but has told my gp it is thrombocythemia. Hasn't mentioned mpn.
Hi had high red blood cells and the specialist ran blood tests they said my JAK 2 was positive
I have had blood removal (venesection )I'm on aspirin but I'm due to start interferon when they can say for definite what MPN I have . They suspect polycythaemia Vera, they want a definite diagnosis before I start the interferon injections but I have to have the BMB again so they can be sure they are treating me properly. It sounds like you do have MPN though so not sure why they didn't do the BMB before they started you on medication because they told me the medication affects the bone marrow so need to do mine before I start it . Well that's if the 2 BMB is successful
Hmm... due to have my first in a couple of weeks. It hadn't occurred to me to be worried. Ah, well. Has to be done one way or another 
Everyone has different experiences and and as you say it has to be done. I've had 5 over a 35 year history of MPNs - all a bit different but like the dentist are thankfully soon over. The three where an accompanying nurse automatically took my hand were the easiest even though the actual procedure perhaps wasn't. Though at the last due to the room configuration she held my ankle but the human kindness definitely helped. If you're in a position to do so try and factor in a treat for yourself afterwards, even just a good coffee and bun, plus take some paracetamol before bedtime.
I agree. Bone marrow testing takes very little time and it provides the medical staff with crucial information. No worse than the pain we all endure in sports.
I've never played a sport that causes that level of pain! Maybe rugby or boxing would 🤔
I think it depends very much on who does it but thank you for the reassurance, did they give you sedation?
I agree with you, I was nervous before I had mine done, the staff were brilliant & the pain didn’t last too long. The first one I had wasn’t quite so good, the nurse had to fetch the doctor off her lunch break to help.
Everyone is different.
I hope your results are ok.
Shirley
I had my first BMB a couple of days ago and was terrified, to be honest, it was awful but saying that not the worst medical experience nor the most painful thing I have been through. I think my problem was the inexperienced dr and the lack of any other person in the room that could offer reassurance. I definitely didn’t feel confident and felt the dr was unsure. It was awful but is over and although achy, I am fine. I really hope that enough sample was taken. So I agree with you. It is bearable but would highly recommend that someone is with you for support and reassurance.
Bone marrow biopsy
Bone marrow biopsy
Bone Marrow Biopsy Didn't Happen
Bone marrow biopsy 
