I am new to all of this, a fluke to be tested by oncologist since I believed West Nile Virus had wreaked havoc on my white blood cells (and other cells). I am trying to justify why I need a bone marrow biopsy/aspiration.
I thought my blood work was looking good (praying I have MGUS). However, the most recent test showed my kappa free light chain at 134.9 and my lambda free light chain at 7.95, with a ratio of 16.97
Beta 2 microglobulin at 2.27, and the initial test showed M protein at 0.8.
Couldn't I just proceed to the first level of treatment and follow up with free light chain testing to determine effectiveness, OR, is there no way out of having the bone marrow biopsy.
My blood doesn't clot well. I am just afraid of the procedure. I won't need someone to 'hold my hand', as I am going to get 'conscious sedation'? Hopefully that means IV Valium, as I must have a driver.
Sorry to sound like a 56 year old wimp, but I am. I am also ordering some curcumin. This sounds promising for the 'free light chain' numbers.
Forums
Re: Dreaded bone marrow biopsy
Hi BobRobert,
One good reason I can see is you need the bone marrow biopsy for a cytogenetic profile, otherwise, in terms of disease burden and determining therapy, the FLCaAssay is highly diagnostic.
It seems that BM biopsy/aspirate is much more indicative of therapeutic response than diagnostic.
Also elevated serum dehydrogenase is predictive of poor response.
I have had four non-sedative BM's biopsy/aspirate. It is no joke. My last was the worse. The pain comes with the aspiration of the marrow, that felt like one helluva pinch, but it did not last long. The pain is deep and makes one moan (vs holler) due to the intensity of it.
Good Luck to you.
One good reason I can see is you need the bone marrow biopsy for a cytogenetic profile, otherwise, in terms of disease burden and determining therapy, the FLCaAssay is highly diagnostic.
It seems that BM biopsy/aspirate is much more indicative of therapeutic response than diagnostic.
Also elevated serum dehydrogenase is predictive of poor response.
I have had four non-sedative BM's biopsy/aspirate. It is no joke. My last was the worse. The pain comes with the aspiration of the marrow, that felt like one helluva pinch, but it did not last long. The pain is deep and makes one moan (vs holler) due to the intensity of it.
Good Luck to you.
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suzierose - Name: suzierose
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011
Re: Dreaded bone marrow biopsy
Don't dread the bone marrow biopsy if you are getting sedated. My husband (the patient) does not tolerate pain well. After his first biopsy (while still drugged), he said "this is the best I've felt in ages!". He has had another since then, and was amazed again at how he had no discomfort, or memory of the actual biopsy. I believe they gave him IV Versed.
He did have a little discomfort for a few days afterwards, but it was nothing severe. Insist on the sedation (the type given by a anesthesiologist or anesthetist).
He did have a little discomfort for a few days afterwards, but it was nothing severe. Insist on the sedation (the type given by a anesthesiologist or anesthetist).
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rumnting - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/9/11
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: dreaded bone marrow biopsy
The Beacon did a weekly poll a while back about bone marrow biopsies and how much pain and discomfort they cause. Some people following or participating in this thread may be interested in the results of that poll and related discussion.
Here's the link:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/weekly-poll-bone-marrow-biopsies-and-pain-t944.html
Here's the link:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/weekly-poll-bone-marrow-biopsies-and-pain-t944.html
Re: dreaded bone marrow biopsy
I took two 10mg Valium an hour or so before my second bone marrow biopsy. It still hurt, but I just moaned a little instead of cussing when I had my first one. It helped relax me.
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coop223 - Name: derek cooper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Dreaded bone marrow biopsy
I have had one biopsy so far. They tried to do it in the office with Valium. But, alas, it was a no go. I wouldn't let them touch me with a 10 foot pole. So we scheduled for sedation. Best thing I did. I have another one coming up in a month or two. And I am doing it the same way.
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Jackie - Name: Jackie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: dreaded bone marrow biopsy
In my first bone marrow biopsy when I first got diagnosed with multiple myeloma last year, they had to tap my hip three times because the first two came up dry. I had one more biopsy months later that went much better, only one tap, and barely any signs of myeloma. All mine were not sedated and I believe they used some kind of local anesthesia, but that does not help much when they get into the bone.
They hurt quite a bit, but I was not in any kind of extreme agony, and once they were over there was absolutely no pain. I have read on here some people have some complications from bleeding afterword, but I had none.
The first time for me was not long after being diagnosed, and my state of mind was that this cancer thing I had was very serious, not going to be easy, and this test was absolutely necessary to determine how bad it was and possibly how long I had to live, so get it done.
They hurt quite a bit, but I was not in any kind of extreme agony, and once they were over there was absolutely no pain. I have read on here some people have some complications from bleeding afterword, but I had none.
The first time for me was not long after being diagnosed, and my state of mind was that this cancer thing I had was very serious, not going to be easy, and this test was absolutely necessary to determine how bad it was and possibly how long I had to live, so get it done.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Dreaded bone marrow biopsy
Had the biopsy this morning, sedation with Versed and fentanyl. Was awake to talk to the doctor or the person doing the procedure. The lidocaine stung a little, and there was really very little 'pressure' that others have discussed.
Glad that is behind me, awaiting to find out deleted chromosomes etc. Ready to begin treatment with Revlimid and dex.
To others: If you have good health insurance then don't do this in the doctor's office. Do it with 'conscious sedation' and all is good. Wishing positive thoughts to all of you!
BobRobert
Glad that is behind me, awaiting to find out deleted chromosomes etc. Ready to begin treatment with Revlimid and dex.
To others: If you have good health insurance then don't do this in the doctor's office. Do it with 'conscious sedation' and all is good. Wishing positive thoughts to all of you!
BobRobert
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BobRobert
Re: Dreaded bone marrow biopsy
Well yesterday I had my second biopsy. I did the conscious sedation, and would not have done anything different, Versed and propofol. My adrenaline just gets going on overdrive and won't stop, the doc was marking my skin with a pen and I'm jumpy.
I also watched a video of what they do. Not fun, especially the grinding of the bone.
There was lots of blood on the sheet this time. What caused that?
I am waiting now for the results. If my numbers come in good I am hoping for a referral to Stanford for a stem cell transplant.
I also watched a video of what they do. Not fun, especially the grinding of the bone.
There was lots of blood on the sheet this time. What caused that?
I am waiting now for the results. If my numbers come in good I am hoping for a referral to Stanford for a stem cell transplant.
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Jackie - Name: Jackie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Dreaded bone marrow biopsy
I've had 3 bone marrow biopsies without sedation. In fact, I had one at Mt. Sinai and a week later I had a bi-lateral done at the NIH. Yes they're painful. I cursed a bit but, at the NIH, the nurse let me squeeze her hand. It helped, but I didn't want to hurt her.
I know that my right side gives up samples easier than my left.
Not sure if it was the curcumin but, after three months, my kappa number went from 89 to 64.4.
And the lambda number is 5.11 (normal is 5.71 - 26.30).
I know that my right side gives up samples easier than my left.
Not sure if it was the curcumin but, after three months, my kappa number went from 89 to 64.4.
And the lambda number is 5.11 (normal is 5.71 - 26.30).
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Stan W. - Name: Stan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: SMM-April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
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