How painful is bone marrow donation? Are there any side effects?

Question

I heard that there are 2 methods.

1. Peripheral blood stem cell collection

(MOST current and common method)…..You are given small injections of Neupogen/Filgrastin for 3 to 5 days to force your marrow to overproduce marrow or stem cells which are then released into your circulating blood. The stem cells are collected by removing blood from a vein in your arm, passing it through a filter system, which collects the stem cells and returns the remaining blood to you…a 2 to 3 hour procedure.

2. Marrow harvest….

You are given light general anesthesia so that you feel nothing during the procedure. Only 2% to 3% of your marrow is withdrawn from the large crest of your hipbone through special sterile needles .. a 60 minute procedure. You may go home the same day.

Which one is less painful. What is the success rate of transplantation?

I want feedback from actual donors also. Thanks.

Answer 1

I am not an actual donor but I can give a feedback based on my work experience.
Technically during the process, marrow harvest would be more painful. For the after effects you may feel discomforting weakness or pain for days or a couple of weeks.
Aside from longer period it may require,peripheral stem cell collection procedure wouldn't be painful but the after effects maybe more bone pain, muscle pain, nausea, insomnia,fatigue and lowered platelet count for few days.
There is no much difference in the success rate of transplantation and both got advantages and disadvanrates against each other.