I was put completely under general anesthesia for my first bone marrow biopsy. I was already getting a "fat tab biopsy" to see if I had amyloidosis, and they were going to put me completely under for that. My husband said, "well, why can't they do the bone marrow biopsy while you are under?". The doctors said, "OK" and did both while I was out.
I had another 2 BMBs at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (in Presbyterian St Luke) and they gave me something that made me drowsy, but I was still awake.
Forums
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antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
You guys are lucky. I get my bone marrow biopsies at the local oncologist, where they do not have any of the good drugs. Put a tongue depresser between your teeth and start drilling. Not pleasant, that's for sure, but it saves me over an hour drive to the specialist.
I've done two locally, but maybe next time I'll do the drive!
I've done two locally, but maybe next time I'll do the drive!
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JBarnes - Name: Jerry Barnes
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Aug 17, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
I'm surprised propofol isn't available for sedation for bone marrow biopsies. My mom has multiple myeloma and refuses further biopsies unless she is "put out" for it. I've been present for a number of her procedures (2 different hospitals in Silicon Valley) and despite our pleading and explanations of history, her providers have been unwilling or unable to use more than Ativan (lorazepam), Versed (midazolam), and Benadryl (diphenhydramine), which simply aren't enough for her (pre- or during procedures). It's an agony for her and us. I can't imagine being the person drilling and listening to her screams and crying.
Why am I able to have a colonoscopy with propofol?! I am a physician. I don't understand the lack of availability of stronger sedation. Propofol is not a "general" anesthetic, but it is used in combination with other drugs during general anesthesia. During a propofol procedure, you are asleep, wearing oxygen, and being monitored by at an anesthesiologist nurse. Maybe this makes it cost more, or makes the hospitals liability higher. There's also a post procedure monitoring period. Perhaps private hospitals are more likely to use real sedation with bone maroww biopsies. I had my propofol colonoscopy in Corvallis, Oregon.
Why am I able to have a colonoscopy with propofol?! I am a physician. I don't understand the lack of availability of stronger sedation. Propofol is not a "general" anesthetic, but it is used in combination with other drugs during general anesthesia. During a propofol procedure, you are asleep, wearing oxygen, and being monitored by at an anesthesiologist nurse. Maybe this makes it cost more, or makes the hospitals liability higher. There's also a post procedure monitoring period. Perhaps private hospitals are more likely to use real sedation with bone maroww biopsies. I had my propofol colonoscopy in Corvallis, Oregon.
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Carjen
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
Carjen, I'm with your mom.
I won't have another one if I'm 'there' for it. period. I have told my docs this, and they SAY they are going to go along with it.
Well, we'll see.
Luckily, I haven't had to have one lately, and I don't see one in my immediate future, either.
True, some of us don't have a problem with bone marrow biopsies.
Some of us women prefer 'natural, unmedicated childbirth, too. In fact, I was one of those. Five times. I don't regret it any of those five times. The bone marrow biopsies, however, were pain without any reward at the end of it.
However, there is absolutely no reason, if the experience is miserable, to put up with the pain. Shoot, would YOU have a root canal without anesthesia because it's more convenient for the dentist? Stand up for your mom! Multiple myeloma is miserable enough without having to deal with avoidable misery.
I won't have another one if I'm 'there' for it. period. I have told my docs this, and they SAY they are going to go along with it.
Well, we'll see.
Luckily, I haven't had to have one lately, and I don't see one in my immediate future, either.
True, some of us don't have a problem with bone marrow biopsies.
Some of us women prefer 'natural, unmedicated childbirth, too. In fact, I was one of those. Five times. I don't regret it any of those five times. The bone marrow biopsies, however, were pain without any reward at the end of it.
However, there is absolutely no reason, if the experience is miserable, to put up with the pain. Shoot, would YOU have a root canal without anesthesia because it's more convenient for the dentist? Stand up for your mom! Multiple myeloma is miserable enough without having to deal with avoidable misery.
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dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
My specialist in Eugene, Oregon said we would have to go to OSHU (Oregon Health and Science University) , a medical school and hospital, to get anesthesia. He refuses! I have heard that mechanical drivers greatly lessen the pain and need for an anesthetic, but my doctor does it by hand.
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Hummingbird
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
I must have been very lucky on my two bone marrow biopsies after reading everyone's stories, but I'm new to multiple myeloma. If not, come to England. Both times I had were with different doctors. I was given a injection at first to stop the pain. Was warned I will feel a sudden pain as they gave me the injection, and not to move. After a sharp pain for 30 seconds, both times the doctors waited for a few minutes after, until they did a test on me by asking "Does it hurt?" Both times I said "No, it feels numb", and off they went to do there bit.
Except for feeling the doctors pushing down and putting pressure on me, both were ok and didn't give it any more thought. After 3 hours, the injection started wearing off, then I had a sore ache. By next day, no more ache. I have another one coming up in 3 months after my stem cell transplant, Maybe my third will be a different story.
Except for feeling the doctors pushing down and putting pressure on me, both were ok and didn't give it any more thought. After 3 hours, the injection started wearing off, then I had a sore ache. By next day, no more ache. I have another one coming up in 3 months after my stem cell transplant, Maybe my third will be a different story.
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Dean UK - Name: Dean
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 41
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
In a way it is interesting to learn that so many share my distaste for the bone marrow biopsy, I have been having them since 2012. It is usually over and done with in a few minutes, but the team of two who carry out the procedure tell me that because my bones are strong, it may be a little painful.
Slight understatement.
The local anaesthetic, being a stick-on pad only, seems to be effective on the surface and does not seem to help when they probe inside. For what little value it may be to you I have been taking a toothache grade painkiller beforehand. which at least has a psychological benefit and may help somewhat.
I would be reluctant to have a general anesthetic, I have had two recently for surgical procedures not related to my myeloma.
Best Regards from Victor L
Slight understatement.
The local anaesthetic, being a stick-on pad only, seems to be effective on the surface and does not seem to help when they probe inside. For what little value it may be to you I have been taking a toothache grade painkiller beforehand. which at least has a psychological benefit and may help somewhat.
I would be reluctant to have a general anesthetic, I have had two recently for surgical procedures not related to my myeloma.
Best Regards from Victor L
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
When people talk about anesthesia for bone marrow biopsies, it is not a general anesthetic. When you have a general anesthetic, you are sedated so deeply that you need a breathing tube down your throat. This is a very short anesthetic that just leaves you with no memory of the procedure. You wake right up ... no nausea, not really even groggy.
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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: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
I was a nervous wreck when I had my first and only bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in the spring of 2015. I had read all of the horror stories on the web and was truly terrified. I was advised by my oncologist to take an Ativan (lorazepam) an hour before I left home and another when I got to Johns Hopkins to have it done. I had a very kind and understanding woman who does them all day and was very patient and skilled. My bones are soft – just ask my dental surgeon – so while it was about 10 seconds of pain that I remember, the probe went in and out easily and, unlike other procedures, once it is done there is no pain at all. At least I had none.
It would have been possible to have conscious sedation if I had scheduled it in advance. The hospital has one room for that and several for the usual process. I just sucked it up and figured if it was truly horrible, I would insist on the conscious sedation for the next one when it came.
On the other hand, about 10 days ago I had my port installed by an interventional radiologist. He and his team were great, but I probably drove them crazy asking when they were going to begin the Versed (midazolam). I had Versed and fentanyl and felt no pain, just some pressure in pushing down the catheter from the jugular. I was awake, sort of, for most of it, but I don't mind that if I'm not in pain. It hurt for about 48 hours afterwards and now it is fine. I've used it twice for infusions so far, and while I'm black and blue (looks like I was hit with a brick!), the use of a lidocaine cream makes the port insertion painless for me.
Hope my experiences will help someone who is facing these procedures. By the way, it may be easier to get the conscious sedation rather than general anesthetic, which is a bigger deal. The conscious sedation would take care of the pain part I think.
Good luck!
Barbara
It would have been possible to have conscious sedation if I had scheduled it in advance. The hospital has one room for that and several for the usual process. I just sucked it up and figured if it was truly horrible, I would insist on the conscious sedation for the next one when it came.
On the other hand, about 10 days ago I had my port installed by an interventional radiologist. He and his team were great, but I probably drove them crazy asking when they were going to begin the Versed (midazolam). I had Versed and fentanyl and felt no pain, just some pressure in pushing down the catheter from the jugular. I was awake, sort of, for most of it, but I don't mind that if I'm not in pain. It hurt for about 48 hours afterwards and now it is fine. I've used it twice for infusions so far, and while I'm black and blue (looks like I was hit with a brick!), the use of a lidocaine cream makes the port insertion painless for me.
Hope my experiences will help someone who is facing these procedures. By the way, it may be easier to get the conscious sedation rather than general anesthetic, which is a bigger deal. The conscious sedation would take care of the pain part I think.
Good luck!
Barbara
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barbaramh - Name: Barbara Hoffman
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/5/2015
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Where to get general anesthetic for bone marrow biopsy?
I've only had one bone marrow biopsy (done in St. Louis, Missouri), but I was offered the choice of just having it done via local anesthetic or with propofol (Diprivan). I chose propofol, slept right through it, and was back to normal 2 hours later.
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