I am having a bone marrow biopsy and i want to know if anyone has had one and if it is painful?

Answer 1

If you're fully aware of the process, you'll understand why it should hurt. However, there are local anesthetics that are used and, in some cases, conscious sedation is available.

My husband has had numerous bone marrow biopsies over the years. The first one he ever had was on an exam table in a doctor's office -- not the best venue for such a procedure. However, to reiterate what another answerer said: the information obtained from such a diagnostic procedure is absolutely invaluable. The slight discomfort that you may encounter is worth every detail. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have had four bone marrow biopsies from my pelvis, and they have all been painful to one degree or another. The second two were done with 'conscious sedation' using the drug Versed, and they were much easier to bear.

For me the painful part is not so much the initial puncture of the pelvis. The topical anaesthetic and the Vicodin take care of that. Rather the real pain is caused by the 'aspiration', which is the part where the doctor or physician's assistant tries to draw out a syringe of the fluid in the middle of the bone. For some reason even the slight pressure difference that this causes inside the bone is just agonizing. Although I can still feel this happening while under the influence of Versed, it seems shorter and less intense. Versed also can cause mild amnesia -- you may remember little or nothing of the half hour or so that the whole procedure takes. That also helps because then the next time you will not be unnecessarily stressing yourself by remembering the pain of the previous biopsy.

I also have to say that the skill of the doctor or PA can make a very large difference. In one of the biopsies I had, the person doing it was having difficulty getting part of the solid bone marrow sample needed, so the whole thing took some minutes longer than usual. They kept going back and starting over with the aspiration, which was extremely painful. I was lying prone on the bed at the time, and I was squeezing the frame so hard trying to hold myself still I was sure I was going to bend it. I did this biopsy without conscious sedation.

Since I will be getting bone marrow biopsies every few months for the next year or so, you can be sure that I will insist on conscious sedation for those.

Answer 3

It is, but it doesn't last. And you really need to put up with the discomfort for the information that the bone marrow biopsy will give you.
Hey -- you can do this!
Keep thinking positive, and best of luck to you. I hope it comes out negative.

Answer 4

I have done plenty of bone marrows. Here is the trick: AFTER they put in the local anesthesia, make them wait a full ten minutes before taking the core. The perisoteum (tough covering of the bone) has plenty of nerve endings, but is poorly vascularized and it takes the anesthesia a while to get it numb.

Also available is Versed, a "twilight" anesthesia drug that causes amnesia for the event. I would only recommend this if you are one of the overly nervous types who does not tolerate this type of thing well.

Best wishes, I hope you get good news from your procedure.

Answer 5

For my biopsy i became no longer given any form of sedative or anti-tension premed. i became given a close-by injection of lidocaine to numb the floor/muscle. regrettably, the bone can not be numbed. I had to lie on my tummy on an identical time as the document bumped off the pattern from the two component of my pelvis (on my decrease decrease back).. The technique purely lasted approximately 15 minutes. Mine became somewhat complicated and so took longer than maximum and became greater painful. First, the document makes an exceedingly small incision interior the floor (particularly than basically jabbing the contraptions by, which basically does no longer artwork). Then they form of drill into the bone itself. while they take the aspirate (the fluid) it is *truly* painful...a sharp pulling soreness that shot all the way down my leg. yet I form of relate it to newborn start in that now that its over, i comprehend that it became painful yet can not truly recollect it. Then they document bumped off a center of the unquestionably bone, that's far less painful than the aspirate. It helped no longer seeing any of the contraptions earlier we began as that would have greater my tension. Afterwards the document confirmed me each and every thing so as that i might comprehend what she did. however the contraptions are very intimidating. 7 months laters, I unquestionably have 2 very tiny scars the place they made a small incision to put in the needle. Very tiny. and that they soreness after the technique became extraordinarily minimum, besides the undeniable fact that I did take a motrin that night because of the fact I stored rolling over on my decrease back and it became somewhat uncomfortable. yet by here day it became like i did no longer even have it completed.

Answer 6

Yes,

they hurt - I agree on the "wait thing".

Also - get your doc to give you a vicodyn - take about an hour before you go in, helps cut the anxiety too; but be care full with the drive if you do (and don't try driving home after cause you will be dopy)

Good luck - BMB is not "routine" ; hope the results are negative (my first one showed myeloma cancer)

Jewells
28 months and still here

Answer 7

I had one a few months ago. It is a painful but not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm sure your doctor has told you it is very necessary in certain cases. Good luck and God Bless You!

Answer 8

unfortunatly,yes.my aunt had one a few years ago to diagnose fibro myalga.they cant freeze bone so it will be painful.you'll be fine though it won't last forever and hopefully it will be worth it in the long run.

Answer 9

I have had 2.

It hurts but it is quick. relax and think positive thoughts