Bone marrow biopsy

rebelkate

How painful are they? I'm trying to figure out if I can work the afternoon I get one (nothing physically strenuous)

GregP_WN

I've had a couple. They told me before hand that they couldn't deaden the bone, but would give me some meds that would make me "forget it". I can't explain how it works, but it does. I remember being wheeled into an exam room, getting up on the little table. The doctor assembled his mid-evil torture device, (the hand brace and bit drill) and got everything ready. They asked me to lay down on my side and were about to get on with it. I reminded them that I had not yet been given any "special sauce" for pain. They gave me that and I got very relaxed and was in a state of almost unconscious. But I know I was still there because the doctor was asking me questions about why my bones were to tough. He wanted to know if I grew up on a farm. (yes). The next thing I remember about that day was Sweetie and I were in an elevator, I looked over my shoulder to see who was with me, remember at this point it was just like I had been picked up from where ever I had been and dropped into that elevator. We were going to another room in the hospital to have treatment.

The next day, I still had no pain and couldn't remember anything about it. I've since had another one done and it worked the same way.

Our best to you.

po18guy

With blood cancers, they do marrow biopsies regularly. About a dozen or so at last count (lost count, actually). They are walk-in, walk out. Of all of them, I had one which left me sore for two weeks. Most left me with just a slight bit of tenderness. The best, I was not aware of them later the same day.

po18guy

Should point out that, for many of them, I received a Fentanil "lollipop" ahead of time to stop the pain signal. This is in addition to a local anesthetic that is applied. During my last one or two, I used only the local anesthetic. All was fine. A few seconds of relatively strong but dull pain during each aspiration, then it was gone - same as before.

rebelkate

Thanks. It sounds like I could make it through some zoom meetings in the afternoon then. Anyway I can save my sick days!

po18guy

Good plan. Just have Tylenol ready, in case (like I had to tell a fellow patient that!).

GregP_WN

Po, what a concept, a fentanil lollipop! I've not had that treat yet. My last one, which as best I remember was last year sometime, was almost the same as 32 years ago. Some procedure, same results, etc. Some things don't change much with time I guess.

You should be good to do some light things for the rest of the day. Depending on how long meds hang on with you, will determine if you feel up to meetings or being put on the spot to answer questions that you might not want to be anything but 100% on.

Let us know how it goes for you.

po18guy

Yesterday, I had a skin punch biopsy of what are believed to be keratoses on my leg. No discomfort at all - other than the lidocaine injection, which always stings for a time. Bone marrow biopsies are routine in the oncology world and are not a major production. A few years back, doctor roiled up his sleeves and performed one in the clinic exam room. In my experience, they are no big deal.