Bone Marrow Biopsy

[Carol0925]

Hi,

Diagnosed with ET and JAK2+ 14/9. Next appointment 2/11. Platelet levels have not been particularly high. Haematology Specialist Registrar phoned tonight to say MDT have advised a BMB (previous discussion on 14/9 was think about Hydroxycarbamide). How did you get on with having this procedure?? is is very uncomfortable?

[Cat1001954]

Hi I had one last year to confirm diagnosis it doesn’t take long. It’s uncomfortable and I thought I would be in a lot of pain but it didn’t bleed much and had slight ache in back for a couple of hours. You are given local injection to help good luck

[JP1952]

I've had two. First one I hardly felt anything, it took about 10 minutes and I left the clinic 10 minutes later. No bleeding, the dressing stayed on 2 days , and no after effects. Second one was uncomfortable and the area ached for some time later. I wondered that this might have been because more bone sample was taken at second one. It wasn't so bad that am nervous about the next one .Good luck.

[Otterfield]

I've lost count of how many I've had! My experience is that the pain level varies, but the key is to say a big yes to gas and air. Yes it can hurt but it's soon over.

[Ebot]

Hi there. I’ve had a couple. Not my leisure activity of choice(!) but entirely bearable. The idea of it is probably a lot worse than the reality.

My advice is to take it easy afterwards. Don’t march off on a long walk to the car - the anaesthetic will wear off! And be careful around the injection site - don’t whack it as you get into the car! Yup. I did both those things first time round. Much quicker recovery second time when I was a lot less gung ho for the first 24 hours. Good luck.

[Dodders]

I agree with Otterfield. I have had maybe half a dozen, only one was bad and that was due to a trainee doing the procedure. Gas and air definitely helps reduce any possible discomfort, it's quick, and to my memory felt a just bit 'odd' rather than noticeably painful.