Bone marrow

[superburning628]

Can anyone tell me is the one marrow hurts

[LT55]

What a scary time for you! Based on your other post regarding your hospitalization and recent MPN diagnosis. I am sure many others will way in regarding bone marrow biopsies - we have all been there (well I suspect most of us have been there...maybe a few that haven't).

I think the short answer is that the experiences can vary, but I believe for most people, there is not a significant amount of pain - and everything is over so quick (10-15 minutes from start to finish)! Talk to your doctor about options for sedation. I personally had a light sedation - always knew what was going on. The most painful part was the injection with the numbing agent - super sharp pain, but also over in 1-2 seconds. The rest of the time, I just felt pressure, no pain. And a dull ache after for a day or two, but completely manageable.

The worst - for me anyway - was the anxiety leading up to the procedure. And there are meds for that, too! 😜

[superburning628 in reply to LT55]

Thankyou very much

[Mieshie]

My hematologist said the tests used to be done in their clinic, are usually no longer than 15 minutes, get immediate feedback if marrow sample is adequate, and it was my decision to take with local anesthetic or be hospitalized for several hours and have to be driven to and from the appointment. I chose the local and glad I did. Five samples quickly taken. Each one was a few seconds long, very painful but done quickly with no residual pain. I walked to my car and drove home with no issues. I was 72 and no other health issues, just being my usual independent self. If you need a helping hand do not fear taking the full sedation option. Your peace of mind is a very important consideration. Stay safe.

[Mamabear2222]

I requested anesthesia for my procedure; didn't want to be awake. Procedure conducted at a hospital.

[Tatatootoo]

my can hurt/ache if need to rest or dehydrated

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Tatatootoo]

I'll try to remember that if I'm forced to do it again. Thanks.

[KoroCharlie]

My Haemotologist described it as “slightly uncomfortable” which I interpreted as “painful” so I kept putting it off. My wife was talking to her 80 year old friend (I was 67 at the time) who had recently had a bone marrow biopsy. She told my wife to tell me to stop being a wuss and get it done. So I did. The local was a sharp pain but the procedure itself was not nearly as “uncomfortable” as I expected. Best of all it removed all doubt and I was able to move to the next step in my treatment. Now 75 and still enjoying life. The worry was far worse than the reality.

[Amethist]

no, minor discomfort.

Guess it depends on the competency of the person doing it too.

[emcee19]

As others have said, the actual experience was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be! There were a few moments of sharp pain but it was over pretty quickly and I remember being relieved as I was imagining way worse. I was quite achey in the spot for a few days after so definitely worth taking it easy as much as you can.

[dnaleor]

For me it hurts because my bone is very hard.

When they pull marrow out it hurts more.

Keep strong!

[MaggieSylvie in reply to dnaleor]

Mine hurt a lot. Perhaps I have hard bones too, though I also have signs of osteoporosis. They failed to get a good sample so I opted for them to go in again right away instead of coming back for more torture on another day. I had gone in with no anxiety at all. If I'd known what to expect it might have been worse. I am balking at having another. Why would they want to do it again when I am low risk (though I have MDS/MPN crossover) and only taking aspirin an epoietin.

[dnaleor in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Normally they do every 3 - 5 years if no B symptoms.

[MaggieSylvie in reply to dnaleor]

Mine was 2018.

[dnaleor in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Good, I see you are low risk. In my case I had bad progress. Had sct in 2023. Keep well.

[Annnaaaa]

I would say its more discomfort than pain

[MissLesley13]

I have had 2 and my first one really hurt . I was so sore and for days afterwards. The 2nd time I had some gas and air and it was more comfortable.

[lizzziep]

The worst bit for me was hearing the doctor say he needed a longer instrument to get through the “padding “ on my hips! The local anaesthetic stung a bit, but I had gas and air for pain relief too so not too bad. I’ve had 3, two done by doctors were no problem, the third was done by two nurses and caused me alot of pain.

[superburning628 in reply to lizzziep]

Thankyou all for the reply I am coming to see a haemotologist I think she is doing it so thankyou

[Anag]

My first BMB was under a few drops of some thing that calmed me down. My doctor went very slow telling me exactly what I was happening and I was breathing in and out very slowly depending on what he was doing. This helps me a lot. In contrast to others the numbing was put in there very slowly and it did burn put the burning on the way very quickly.

The tool that he used to get through the bone is a tiny drill and you feel and hear the vibration inside your ears from the inside of your body because it travels up your spine and bones are like marimbas. I'm a musician and opera singer so this is how I hear the world. 😁 it did hurt a bit what was tolerated. I am usually extremely sensitive to pain.

The weirdest part was the sound of the bone marrow being sucked out with the needle. It was a slurpy sound. also coming from inside my ears and not from outside. Actually, I almost laughed, then I thought, Oh yuk, oooo. Then it was over. I initially had some pain my lower back for which I took a bit of paracetamol. After that, the immediate area was sensitive for about a month.

the second time I did the BMB was by another doctor and I was sedated completely. It took me four hours to wake up and I was not able to drive a car for two days. I don't react well to sedation I am very sensitive and although I told him that I react much stronger to sedation than everybody else I do believe he gave me the full dosage. I slept for 16 hours at home. For this reason, I will not do that again. Also, the pain afterwards, was much worse and my brain was foggy for a week.

No matter what, this is a necessary evil and it is important and we must accept it and be brave. The doctors need to be sensitive and it is up to us to tell them what we feel and need in a nice way and trust them. If we are unhappy with the result of the procedure, we tr to go somewhere else next ime.

Good luck. 🙏 Anag

[superburning628 in reply to Anag]

Thankyou

[LFCLove]

Hi, can be a scary time for anyone. I have a low pain threshold and am slightly needle phobic but both my BMB’s have been “uncomfortable” but certainly not painful.

I didn’t even have to ask for extra sedation, the gas & air was ready and the clinician talked me through the procedure and at what stage he was at so no surprises. The initial injection to numb the site is just a “sharp scratch” which is over very quickly, then a short wait while this has an effect. He then told me when to start sucking on the sedation and this helped immensely.

As others have said, you will feel slightly sore for a few days but will wear off and the last one didn’t need any further painkillers.

Welcome to the “club” and all of us wish you well. Main thing is to try to remain positive.

G. 🤓

[superburning628 in reply to LFCLove]

Thankyou all

[Leveret20]

Everyone has such different experiences. I took my son with me, and he knew just how to distract me, so I am very glad that I did. I definitely needed the gas and air even so. If you can take someone to hold your hand, it will help with the anxiety whatever happens.

[superburning628 in reply to Leveret20]

Thanks

[Vampirephleb]

Hi, I had one last week and the anxiety was the worst bit, (especially as I burst in to tears the moment the consultant spoke to me!) it’s a very strange feeling but not nearly as ‘uncomfortable’, as we ourselves build it up to be! Only local anaesthetic and entonox was offered at my hospital, which I happily accepted 😁. He had to go in for the bone marrow trephine twice as first sample wasn’t quite enough. This was explained at the beginning of the appointment with everything else. Just a heads up , I wouldn’t advise watching YouTube videos of the procedure like I did, it really doesn’t help with the anxiety like I thought it would 🙈 ☺️. I’m sure everything will be fine for you and please let us know how you got on 🙂.

[superburning628 in reply to Vampirephleb]

I wiil do thankyou

[Cja1956]

I’ve had five BMB’s over the years. The first one was when I was 52 years old in 2008 and I did it in the doctor’s office. It was very quick and very little pain and I drove myself home. My next one was in 2019. My new doctor, at the time, insisted I do it in the hospital under sedation. It was to clarify whether my ET had turned into MF. It turned out it did. Since then I’ve had one every year, always in the hospital under sedation. I’m having another one next Wednesday and my doctor said since I am fully fibrotic that they will take a bigger piece of bone than usual so I’m not looking forward to that one. This is the first step in preparing me for a transplant I’m supposed to be having in May.

[superburning628 in reply to Cja1956]

Thankyoh

[katiewalsh]

Hi. Mine was very painful but the person doing it was relatively new so that could be why. I only had local anesthesia which didn’t mask the pain from the procedure. Because my blood counts & symptoms haven’t changed much since the first one, I haven’t had to get another & it’s been 10 years. My hip was sore for a number of days after. Be sure to be well hydrated. Good luck!

[superburning628 in reply to katiewalsh]

Thankyou

[RazB]

hi, lots of different answers for you and lots of different experiences which pretty much sums up most questions & answers on here! Im in the UK & have had 6 BMBs. I have never been offered full or light sedation but I have had gas & air after the first one where I wasn’t offered it. Once I had a student doctor which I would advise you not to say yes to - not a good experience and after her 3rd time of trying to take a decent sample I asked her to stop! I always have double the amount of local anaesthetic as the normal amount doesn’t seem to work for me. It’s definitely not a fun experience but I guzzle as much gas & air as I can get and drift off to a beach somewhere hot with my kids. The doctor should talk through the procedure as he/she does it which is helpful. I always feel a bit sore afterwards and bruised but only for a few days. The results are so important, tracking the progression, or not, for us that it’s worth doing it. I always get a nice sweet cup of tea and biscuit afterwards which helps! Keep positive and inhale that gas & air, it can be very helpful!! X

[superburning628 in reply to RazB]

Thanks

[LeoTravels]

I had mine in Hospital Day Surgery, without sedation. They give you a local anaesthetic (needle at the site) and the only time I felt any pain was when the needle pops through the bone - I had a pain that ran down my leg for a few seconds and that was it.

If you are nervous about it you should have a sedative, which they will offer.

All the best to you.

[superburning628 in reply to LeoTravels]

Thanks

[Cja1956]

I just had my fifth one yesterday. Since I was under light sedation, which included versed and fentanyl, it was not painful, but I am experiencing pain today in that area. My bones are very hard so I expected this. Their instructions were to take it easy for the next day or so which I am doing.