[buttrfluttr]

Bone marrow biopsy with active infection?

by buttrfluttr on Sun May 22, 2016 6:04 am

Hi everyone.

I have a few questions regarding bone marrow biopsy:

1. I had an iron infusion on Thursday to boost my hb (92) then found myself in ER Friday morning after waking with an abscess on my neck and cellulitis (fever/chills, nausea, the works). The abscess was opened and drained, swabs taken, I was dosed up on IV antibiotics to kick start treatment (low IgG/IgA and hyper IgM) and went home on oral antibiotics. Will the biopsy need to be rescheduled because of this infection? My hematologist is away until Friday, the day of my procedure, so I am unable to check with him.
   
2. Following the biopsy I have a 3 1/2 hour drive to get home. I am wondering how uncomfortable I might be and if sitting upright behind a steering wheel for that long will put pressure on the biopsy area that will have me wishing I'd made arrangements to head home the next day instead? Obviously this is my first biopsy so I am not sure of what to expect so any input would be great.

Rebecca

[blueblood]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with active infection?

by blueblood on Sun May 22, 2016 7:52 am

Hi Rebecca,

It would definitely be a good idea to inquire with your doctor about delaying a bone marrow biopsy because of the infection. You have probably heard horror stories about bone marrow biopsies, but you aren't going to get out of it that easy - if you do, let me know. Ha. I think I have had 13 bone marrow biopsies, including one inpatient bedside while really sick, and I don't recall any questions about recent health, infections, colds, etc. I think my team just wants to ensure there are enough platelets to prevent bleeding.

As bad as the bone marrow 'pull' might be, it is temporary. Once up on my feet, I have never had any significant pain, including lying still for an hour at a time in MRIs and PET/CTs. You will probably have a wad of gauge taped over the procedure - but it feels more like I've stuck my wallet behind my belt instead of in my pocket.

I have driven 9 hours the next day without being bothered significantly. Who enjoys a 9-hour drive?

I would be concerned if you take pre-meds (I don't) which might / will affect your alertness and your general overall physical condition, including traffic conditions which might challenge your sharp­ness. I have easy Interstate driving.

You will feel much better after it is over. I find controlling my breathing and squeezing my fists help. (It also helps if I don't get the specific doctor who obviously doesn't take his time)

[JPC]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy with active infection?

by JPC on Sun May 22, 2016 8:12 am

Hello, Bttrflttr:

For item #1, let me just give you the attempt at the common sense opinion. If your symptoms have been gone for a sufficient amount of time (say 3 or 4 days), but you are still finishing the antibiotics, then I am thinking most doctors would say it would be OK, however, some might say wait another few days, just to be safe. So I think that could go both ways.

For item #2, my wife has been going to a couple of places and the treatment (and the policies of the centers she has been at) has dictated that she has had them by now 7 times, the most of them in the last two years. The procedure varies. If you have a dry tap, and have to stick the second side, and it took them a long time to get the sample, then driving 3.5 hours will be a challenge. If it goes "average", then I think the drive will probably be tolerable, with a bit of discomfort, but not too much. Most people I think get driven, and in our case, the drive was 1.5 hours, and it was not a problem for her to sit in the front seat without any special stopping or stretching.

Good luck to you.