[micallie]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with conscious sedation?

by micallie on Thu Nov 12, 2015 1:18 pm

Ever since my first biopsy, which I couldn't complete due to discomfort, I've had many under conscious sedation, and can vouch for their effectiveness for me. It's relaxing, my clinic uses music, people are friendly. Just an overall painless and pleasant experience.

I am lucky in that I've had no pushback from insurance, so that is important to get pre-certified. Also, my clinic won't release me after the procedure unless someone is there physically to take me home. They don't even allow a taxi, it must be a friend or family.

By the way, I am a 62-year-old male and was diagnosed in 2007. Good luck to you!

[Thelimeusa]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with conscious sedation?

by Thelimeusa on Sat Nov 14, 2015 6:37 pm

My wife had a bad experience so she always demands sedation. She has had it in a hospital and in a doctor's office and insurance covered it each time.

Warning! Last time was a bad caregiver experience. After the biopsy, which she didn't feel, I took her out to lunch at Panera Bread. The longer we were there, the more drugged out she became. She ate her whole meal with her eyes closed and by the time we were done, I had to almost carry her to the car. If I hadn't held her hand, she would of fallen into the bushes. We were lucky she didn't get arrested for public intoxication.

I had no idea the drug effect would continue to get stronger after the procedure. Very dangerous situation.

[sunshne954]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with conscious sedation?

by sunshne954 on Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:09 pm

I've had 3 BMB's. The first was done in the doctor's office, local anesthesia and sample from the sternum. Never, never, never again.

The next 2 were done at Moffitt Cancer Center under conscious sedation - propofol will always be my drug of choice. No memory of the procedure and instantly awake when the drug is stopped.

[Mini]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with conscious sedation?

by Mini on Thu Nov 19, 2015 12:12 am

I had a bone marrow biopsy done in May of 2015 under a local sedation. I was wide awake through it all, because the doctor needed to talk to me and ask me if I was okay.

The whole area was numbed by the needles first. I was laying down on my stomach, head turned the other way. All I felt was the pressure of the instrument taking the fluid out. It really wasn't as bad as I thought. It went quickly and problem free, and the doctor was pleased how well I did through the procedure. He talked me through the whole procedure step by step and how long each step would take. I stayed in the procedure room for an hour to recover, had ginger ale and went home.

Results were multiple myeloma.

[Tingling_fatigue]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with conscious sedation?

by Tingling_fatigue on Sun Dec 13, 2015 2:21 pm

Hi,

Thank you all for your comments in November. I finally elected to undergo the biopsy tomorrow with propofol (Diprivan) and I'll report back afterwards. I'm still nervous but am so glad I am going to do it under sedation. I nixed the Versed (midazolam) / fentanyl sedation as I'm sensitive to benzodiazepines and will sleep for days. At least with propofol I will be somewhat less groggy.

Now to make sure they practice good infection prevention when inserting the IV, etc., as that is my field of healthcare.

Bless you all for contributing and sharing your experiences.

[Tingling_fatigue]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with conscious sedation?

by Tingling_fatigue on Tue Dec 15, 2015 5:14 pm

All done and have to say that the propofol route was the way to go for me. Yes, receiving sedation is a pain as it involves having to be in the hospital's outpatient surgery pre-op area for prepping, then waiting hours for the anesthesia staff to be freed up, then a CT scan to determine bone location etc., and then the actual IV anesthetic. However, judging by the discomfort today, I cannot imagine what it would've felt like under local.

Those of you who have done this without being "asleep" are incredibly brave and strong. Now to find out if it's MGUS or smoldering myeloma. Either way, I'm at peace and glad with the decision to do it under conscious sedation.

Thanks everyone for your input.