Bone marrow biopsy: Please share your experiences

I won't lie to you Mary, mine hurt. However, having said that, the pathologist that performed it had the sensitivity of lineoleum and was easy on the medaz (the pain killer and sedative they generally use). By the time I had asked for more, the procedure was over.
The area ached for one to two days after and the site developed a little scab over the top as it healed.

P.S. I have read that bone marrow biopsies are easier on older people because the bone is less dense and therefore easier to penetrate. I am only 25. You do the math.

Mary, My 21 year old daughter had one done last week. The nurses told me ahead of time to request that she be sedated. They referred to it as conscience sedation. I stood in the room while they performed a neck biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. She has no recollection of that procedure. She did not complain of discomfort afterwards. I would INSIST that they sedate you. There is no reason to start this journey off by being in pain

I have had 4 bone marrow biopsies. The first was 3 yrs ago and I was more freaked out before the procedure than I was during. Thank goodness my dr was a proponent of morphine because it is a very painful procedure. Yes, there was pain,and morphine made me vomit, but it wasn't unbearable. Word of caution, if someone is going to be with, they should not be too freaked out by very large needles.

Mary,

I must be one of the lucky ones - I didn't feel a whole lot of pain (maybe a 4 or 5 out of 10), mostly just a lot of pressure. I had my biopsy in the hip, and for the next few days afterwards it was just a little sore at the injection site - kinda like when you get a flu shot. I had absolutely no problems walking or getting around.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that yours goes as smoothly as mine - Good Luck!!!

Pete

Mary,

I had a very easy time also. The anticipation was far worse than the actual procedure. I had a small amount of morphine and felt alot of pressure, but very little pain. My hip was slightly sore around the site, but that disappeared within a day or two.

The doctor kept me mentally occupied during the biopsy by asking me how and where I met my husband. We all got a little silly. It helped.

Good luck with yours. Let us know how it goes.

Vikki

Mary,
I agree with Vikki and Pete. Bone marrow biopsy is not bad at all. My doc also kept me mentally occupied and that helped. I have to admit, I was sore for a couple of weeks but that's not a big deal.

Good luck!

Listen to me, Mary. I have had two bone marrow procedures. I relaxed, put my mind in a really good place, concentrated on the words of a song, and it didn't hurt. REALLY! I never felt it. My Dr. thinks because I didn't tense up that it made things easier for him and for me. Good luck. Smile and relax.