Last time I brought up the topic of BMBs, some of the resulting posts were impassioned, to say the least. At the risk of bringing up a sore topic again (pun intended), I feel the need to bring up my latest experience, somewhat in jest, but mostly as an example of the situations we find ourselves in, regardless of how well we plan.
My previous BMBs were done under a local, and very painful. Based on posts people made to the Beacon, and on discussions with other patients, I chose to have the BMB performed this time in a conscious-sedated state (me, not the doctor). I was given a local at the site of the BMB, and my port was accessed to administer Versed as the sedative. The procedure started OK, but as soon as they got through the bone and performed the first aspiration, I definitely felt the pain. Shortly thereafter, we discovered the cap on one of the tubes accessing my port had come off. The Versed had been leaking into the sheet and mattress, and little, if any, had made it into my system. The stuff must work though, since the mattress and sheet were out cold and neither complained once about the procedure. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for me since we were too far into the procedure to start over and there was still another aspiration and two bone sample to collect.
Someday, they’ll hopefully come up with a way to do BMBs in a less medieval and painful manner. Until then, maybe I’ll just opt for chloroform.
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Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy - Just can't win
Sorry to hear your grief Kevin. Still had to smile a bit.
Reminds me of the old country song. "If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all"
My first one was interesting. The small needle looked like an 1/8th inch drill bit and the doctor actually stood on his toes to apply the slight pressure I was warned about.
The second one I thought I was prepared for. They failed to inform me this time they would take a "little snip of bone". It felt like they used a dull hatchet. My kids and I still laugh about the day Daddy had the sorest butt in Canada.
Reminds me of the old country song. "If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all"
My first one was interesting. The small needle looked like an 1/8th inch drill bit and the doctor actually stood on his toes to apply the slight pressure I was warned about.
The second one I thought I was prepared for. They failed to inform me this time they would take a "little snip of bone". It felt like they used a dull hatchet. My kids and I still laugh about the day Daddy had the sorest butt in Canada.
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Canuck Bob - Name: Bob
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb. 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy - Just can't win
My First BMB was a nightmare. Not terrible pain but pressure like no other. I was told i have hard bones and The Dr. had a hard time. It took him three tries. He is young and probably unexperienced. I do like him and he is a great Dr. I had no idea what I was in for as I did not do any research on it and it would have helped if I was prepared (i think).
My second was done at NIH and was a piece of cake! Not sure if I was more mentally prepared and that helped. George( NIH) used a Drill (yes a little cordless drill) and was literally done in 3 minutes. I could not believe it. I did not have near the discomfort immediately after or over the next several days. Did not bleed as much either, very little as a matter of fact. I was told by another Beacon user it would be a much better experience and it was. He said they didnt use the drill on him.
I personally would not hesitate to do another after the last experience. Hopefully the next will go as well. Just my experience
My second was done at NIH and was a piece of cake! Not sure if I was more mentally prepared and that helped. George( NIH) used a Drill (yes a little cordless drill) and was literally done in 3 minutes. I could not believe it. I did not have near the discomfort immediately after or over the next several days. Did not bleed as much either, very little as a matter of fact. I was told by another Beacon user it would be a much better experience and it was. He said they didnt use the drill on him.
I personally would not hesitate to do another after the last experience. Hopefully the next will go as well. Just my experience
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Art - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 40
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy - Just can't win
Hi Guys! Love your sense of humour...laughter is the best medicine sometimes, n'sest-ce pas?
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy - Just can't win
I've only had one to confirm my diagnosis. They asked me if I would mind if a resident or student or something did the procedure as it is a "teaching hospital" (are not all hospitals teaching hospitals?)
I turned to the the doctor and asked "have you ever done one before?"
the team kind of chuckled and he assured me he had.
So, the had me turn onto my stomach and stated giving me lots of freezing. But when the doctor said sorry this is going to hurt because we can't freeze bone I knew I was in for something unpleasant.
I'm sure they could hear me yelling down the ward. (i was inpatient at the time) Lol OW! but it was over relatively fast since the doc did know what he was doing. Not sure of what the women in the next bed behind the curtain thought! Had a dissolving stitch after and mostly forgot about it accept when I'd role on to it and think I must have done something to my back.. duh.
I turned to the the doctor and asked "have you ever done one before?"
the team kind of chuckled and he assured me he had.
So, the had me turn onto my stomach and stated giving me lots of freezing. But when the doctor said sorry this is going to hurt because we can't freeze bone I knew I was in for something unpleasant.
I'm sure they could hear me yelling down the ward. (i was inpatient at the time) Lol OW! but it was over relatively fast since the doc did know what he was doing. Not sure of what the women in the next bed behind the curtain thought! Had a dissolving stitch after and mostly forgot about it accept when I'd role on to it and think I must have done something to my back.. duh.
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Anonymous
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