[Multibilly]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by Multibilly on Sat Dec 14, 2013 7:53 pm

To be clear,in my case, I demanded no sedation. The hospital's standard procedure called for sedation, so I had to first deal with all the nurses and doctors asking me "are you sure???". I simply preferred not to lose the good portion of a day recovering from sedation and I also didn't want to make my wife have to go to the hospital and sit around for a few hours while I had the procedure.

Note that I also did a recent colonoscopy without sedation and I wouldn't think twice about doing it that way again. It was great being able to talk live to the doc when he came across something suspicious. I also liked being able to walk right out of the facility and driving myself home immediately following the procedure....but that's just me.

I think some folks are just wired differently for pain or have the an easier time focusing on something else.

[Pjorg45]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by Pjorg45 on Sat Dec 14, 2013 8:41 pm

I have had four BMB's the past six months. The first three were moderately painful for a few seconds and the last was of no pain at all. It was done at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. What was different was that the assistant NP was doing some kind of massage on my legs while the other NP was doing the needle work. I couldn't believe that I didn't feel the last phase of needle insertion. I don't know if this was just luck or if this is a special new procedure that they developed. In any case, I haven't seen the need to have any kind of sedation so far.

Paul Jorgensen
Annapolis MD

[Obayan]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by Obayan on Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:20 pm

So far I've had 2 BMB's. First one was worse pain I've ever felt. I've been in a fire, stabbed, broken bones, gave birth 7 times. NOTHING ever hurt as bad as that BMB did. Second one, was done by a specialist with a drill and I was given some meds before the procedure. It was a breeze. Yes, it hurt for about 5 minutes and then nothing. NEVER again will I do a BMB without meds first and by a multiple myeloma specialist.

[gmarv 54]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by gmarv 54 on Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:42 am

I have had 3 bmbs just local shot to deaden the area. 2 were fine slight pain on the final marrow draw. The other hurt all the way thru start to finish. It was a different person every time. I'm convinced it is a lot of who is doing the procedure.

[Denise H]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by Denise H on Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:17 pm

Hubby has had at least a dozen BMBs, and breezes right through them. Everyone has a different tolerance for such things. I think I would have to be sedated if it were me. Why force yourself to tolerate severe pain if you don't have to?

[John Fabian]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by John Fabian on Wed Dec 18, 2013 12:04 pm

I've had six bone marrow biopsies and I've been put under what's called conscious sedation for all. It's like I'm half asleep but when I come out of it I don't remember anything of the procedure. My oncologist says most but not all of his patients opt to be put under for it. If the procedure goes without any problems then I'm fine but twice now he had problems getting the sample he needed and as my wife put it, had to put some weight behind the syringe he used to extract the sample. The reason for that is because my skeletal structure is still fairly healthy and I'm still fairly young (48) for a myeloma patient. This has happened to me twice now and when it does the small of my back is usually sore for at least a month or two. I guess the last time I reacted when he really pushed the needle hard to get his sample but again, I don't remember it.

If things went without a hitch I wouldn't need to be put under but since that isn't always the case and conscious sedation lasts no more than an hour I opt for it. The more I have the procedure done the quicker I've been bouncing back from it but really, I just use it as a reason to take time off work. Sleep away part of the day or be in my cubicle for 8 hours and deal with traffic? Not much of a choice for me.

[Ski-VT]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by Ski-VT on Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:15 pm

I've had 5 or so I can't remember... but only once did I wish that I had something stronger than a local. Only time I've ever heard my Doc say a swear word... the sample just kept slipping and he had a hell of a time pulling the sample. I said hey we all have our days.
All I feel is this wicked sensation / tingle down in my toes and it over.. a bit sore on the drive home but really only when I hit the breaks...
I think the sedation is worse than the actual BMB but I hate novacane so I do it bare knuckle.
My caregiver (my lovely wife) has done so much for me I hate to inconvenience her or anyone else for that matter if I can help it.

Oh I'm 55 diagnosed 6/8/2010 multiple compression fractures I had an autologous transplant at Dana F spring of 2011. I'm a non-secretory. Doing well

[kayalove]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by kayalove on Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:42 pm

My mum has had 2 or 3 biopsies since her diagnosis in Oct 2009. She was in incredible pain from the first one. The person who did it my mom won't forgive and doesn't want her anywhere near. One of her other consultants who did the 2nd one she has nicknamed 'Mr Biopsy' as it was less painful. It was mentioned again recently and she refused to have it , just the thought of it freaks her out. This is also the area where she experiences the most pain. She's 71 and been through a lot so I believe her when she says it was one of the worst experiences of her life.

[medic944]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by medic944 on Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:46 am

I had my first one done last week, by far the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. I will never have another without sedation. My Dr. said because my bones were healthy that it hurts worse?

[JBarnes]

Re: Bone marrow biopsies: Am I a wuss?

by JBarnes on Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:21 pm

My local ONC does not have the facility and staff to support the use of Fentnal (sp?) and Versid (sp?) like the multiple myeloma hospital. I've had two at the local ONC which hurt like crazy for a few minutes and one at the multiple myeloma hospital. The one at the hospital I didn't feel and left me with no issues from the meds. The local ONC is convenient but the multiple myeloma hospital is painless! Jerry.