Bone marrow sample.

[Scorpius]

I am due to see the haematology consultant on the 5th Jan, during my last meeting with him he requested they take a sample of bone marrow during the conversation I said " I bet that's painful" to which he replied it all depends who does it, I freely admit that I am scared, should I consider going privately if the cost is within my range or would it be a waste of money.

[Angela123]

I'm not surprised you're scared - he didn't exactly put your mind at rest! I think you need to talk to someone who knows what it's like. The good thing about going private is you're not rushed and the medical staff are so nice and patient. You could phone a private hospital and get a quote. Or you could be worrying unnecessarily. Hope you get some answers here. Angela

[Hidden]

Hello, I have had quite a few bone marrow samples taken both under GA and local. I had it taken from pelvic/hip bones (not too sure which!) and from sternum. Please don't fret too much, you are nice and woozy if done by local anaesthetic, and won't even remember it being done. I always ended up with nice, round marks - as if I had been shot! It shouldn't, in theory, matter whether done privately or NHS (I had to use both) - they should still take care of you. I was normally really tired the next day - but whether this was due to GA/local (happy!) drugs or the fact someone had gone into my bone marrow I am not sure. Best way to describe it is to think of people on 24 hours in A&E on TV with ketamine and the like - they had no recollection afterwards and most people don't flinch even when something horrid is happening to them! Please feel free to PM me if you want, but please don't be scared. The first time it was done as an emergency and I was given lovely huge doses of morphine. I can still remember my body being lifted up from the bed as the Professor took out the needle, but it STILL didn't hurt. Honest. If you can find out beforehand who/how they are going to aspirate, and you don't like the sound of it just tell them. After all, the staff won't want an anxious patient to deal with. Love, Virge xx PS am thinking of you xx

[norfolkjo]

Stupid docs . I cant imagine it hurts more than ra joints at full inflammation so try not to worry we are already warriors every day

[oldtimer]

Compared to having RA in your joints bone marrow aspiration is nothing.

The entry through the skin is probably the most pain you will have, just like having a blood test only a bigger needle - but usually you will have a local anaesthetic for this, sprayed on or injected. The feeling that happens while the bone marrow is aspirated is weird, slightly uncomfortable in my experience.

People do vary, both in how they experience things and how well they do procedures. The second time I had it done was by someone who had never done it before - I spent most of the time reassuring her that everything was fine!

[micknick]

First biopsy I had done was fairly uncomfortable but 2nd biopsy at different hospital was not too bad as they offered the option of gas/air to breath in. It just took your mind off what was going on behind you. Perhaps ask if that is available. Best wishes.

[Scorpius]

I thank you all for your kind reassuring words, thank you.

[earthwitch]

To be honest, I don't think going private would necessarily guarantee you a better experience. Having it done in a big NHS hospital you are actually more likely to have it done by someone who has done loads more of them, and who does them regularly, whereas it may be something they don't do that often in a private hospital. I would be direct and ask how experienced the person is and how often they do it, and if a junior doctor is assigned to do it, you are within your rights to ask if there is someone more experienced available if you are really nervous about it.