Bone Marrow Biopsy question

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• January 22, 2019 at 3:53 am #44969
  Kathy Lynch

  Participant

  Hi All, My first BM biopsy showed atypical anemia…but there was not enough tissue gathered for a further diagnosis. I’ve had 6 blood tests in the past 10 months…1 test my RBC was in the 9s, 4 have been in the 10s and one in the 11s.
  I am due for my next BM biopsy next month… my MDS specialist wants it done at Stanford. BUT Stanford does NOT use sedation??? They do for colonoscopies but not bone biopsies???
  The hospital where I had my first one does. The whole procedure was “painless” I did have the normal discomfort afterwards for a couple of weeks.
  Soooo my question is from those of you who have had biopsies what would you do? I have asked my MDS guy to explain to me why I should not have it done where I can be twilight sedated….waiting for an answer….

  January 22, 2019 at 8:14 am #44970
  Michael

  Participant

  Kathy
  My first bmb was done as outpatient at local hospital with sedation, it was absolutely painless. This was not under direction of MDS expert nor at a Center of Excellence. Since, I have had 3 follow up bmb’s in doctor office (MDS expert at Center of Excellence). Those were not pain free but not so horrible either. You do feel pressure when the aspirate is drawn. I prefer the bmb’s be done by the expert and the short period of pain is not an issue for me. I have been able to make the 3 hour drive home from C of E no problem.

  Best wishes.

  January 22, 2019 at 9:07 am #44971
  Nancee Noble

  Participant

  I had it done with Demerol. No pain, no aftereffects.

  January 22, 2019 at 10:57 am #44972
  Janice Sheppard

  Participant

  i’ve had 4 bone marrow biopsies, none of them with any sort of sedation of medication. i don’t remember the first 2 being traumatic, but that was a very long time ago. i had one done by the hematologist 10 years ago and he crucified me, it was an absolute nightmare. the last one was done by a nurse practitioner that does all the bone marrow biopsies in the office and she did a FANTASTIC job. i was told ahead of time that her patient satisfaction rates are excellent. i sobbed from relief after it was done. so, i guess my recommendation would be to ask who’s doing it and what their patients say about their experience.

  January 22, 2019 at 5:27 pm #44976
  Curtis Hicks

  Participant

  KATHY…to date Ive had 4 bone marrow biopsies. One with sedation and three without sedation. I can honestly say none of them were any problem at all! It’s a procedure that doesn’t take much time. If it’S done by an expert, you’ll have very little to no pain!

  January 22, 2019 at 8:11 pm #44977
  Kathy Lynch

  Participant

  Thanks for all of your input! It sure helps to have people to reach out to!

  January 22, 2019 at 8:46 pm #44979
  Donna

  Participant

  Hi Kathy,
  I’m a nurse and a wicked sissy when it comes to pain, plus I had seen BMBs done in the past and I knew they could be painful. I opt for conscious sedation. I’m awake through it and talking, feel a little pressure and that is all. Someone has to drive you though. Last time I had nausea/vomiting on the way home but it was my own fault because I at too much too soon. That darn banana was too heavy! Anyway, my first MD at a center of excellence wanted to do the BMB without sedation. That is when I went for another opinion at another center of excellence where I stayed. They don’t mind at all giving me a little conscious sedation and that is good with me. For me, I would always choose conscious sedation. I realize I am lucky to have two good hospitals within driving distance.
  Donna

  January 29, 2019 at 1:03 pm #45009
  Chris Ballmer

  Participant

  Yeah, depends on the situation. In my BMB the doctor is really gentle, but the two supporting nurses are distracting, talking… You can take charge and tell them how you want it done, sedation or not… if you don’t get to choose that sucks. They are there for you remember. There should always be very good communication, don’t trust whatever they do, make sure you understand what and how things are working… that’s why they have to write the side they are taking out shoulders with a pen… medical professionals make mistakes, but only occasionally, you just don’t want it to be on you, and you can be the squeaky wheel… it’s our body after all.

  January 30, 2019 at 12:46 am #45012
  emily59

  Participant

  I had one without and it was horrible. Since then I’ve had 5 with sedation and had no pain. I will never not be sedated. You can likely find another place that will do what you want.

  January 30, 2019 at 2:19 am #45013
  Kathy Lynch

  Participant

  Believe it or not I am seeing one of the noted MDS doctors… at a”center of excellence” that does not offer sedation! And even though I have spoken up…. I have been told that the sedation can cause problems??? PLEASE tell me why the same center does their colonoscopies WITH sedation??
  Many of us have to have BMBs a couple of times a year!
  I find this border line cruelty and barbaric!
  Since it is a LARGE “center” I don’t think I can do much to change it, especially if the doctors won’t help!
  Has anyone else gone to the MDS “centers of Excellence” and been either denied sedation or given sedation.
  If I get enough people saying other centers do offer I might petition the foundation to help get this “rule” changed. Thanks for ALL your input!!!

  January 30, 2019 at 8:50 pm #45031
  Donna

  Participant

  Hi Kathy,
  I was seeing an MD at a Center for Excellence who wanted to use local and some med by mouth (I forget what). He said there is no risk in the BMB procedure but once you add anesthesia of any kind, you add risk. I went to another Center for Excellence and have it done with conscious sedation. When I left the first MD’s practice, he did call me to discuss it. At that point he said he would have given me sedation if it was that important to me, but I had already made plans to go elsewhere for another opinion anyway. So, maybe if you push for sedation, they will agree. If not, is there another Center of Excellence near you?
  Donna

  February 19, 2019 at 11:50 pm #45138
  Paul Dyer

  Participant

  Kathy,
  I just had my 4th bmb, none with sedation, just lidocaine. You feel th pinch of the needles for the lidocaine, and pressure/burning for the actual marrow draw. It’s not horrible pain. I guess it all depends on how you deal individually. Hope my experiences help!
  Paul

  March 1, 2019 at 8:27 pm #45772
  Rose eden Guanzon

  Participant

  My husband is the one with MDS. He wants me to respond to this. He has undergone 8 bmb since he was diagnosed last year. No sedation is done on him. The doctors does not just get fluid, +hey also get a bone chip when they do a bmb. He swears he does not feel pain and that the injection hurts more than the actual aspiration. So i guess every person is different. But if it is any consolation, i know he is telling the truth. I could not really see any pain on his face.i have been with him on every one of those bmb procedures.

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