I am so happy I found this forum. Thanks again for everyone's time and thoughts about this. I am going to "just get it done" and know it is an important test. I am sure I am over thinking the whole thing but am very comforted in knowing people have this procedure all the time and the people doing the procedure do it all the time as well.
I am scheduled for next Tuesday May 19th and will definitely post my experience with it.
Thanks again for the kind words and support!
Forums
Re: Bone marrow biopsy procedure - feeling nervous
I've had four bone marrow biopsies and here are my two cents worth.
Definitely take the pre-meds provided to you ahead of time. You will need someone to give you a ride.
The first one is so scary because it's unknown, I think it's also crucial to have someone supportive with you, not just some random "person from work" give you a ride. Hopefully, it would be a loved one. If they allow that person in the room with you, do it! Have them hold your hand and stroke your hair. It helps!
My first one was awful. I was unprepared for how painful it would be. I think a major reason it was so painful was my fear and anxiety. I thought I could tough it out alone, so no one was with me (BIG mistake), and I was facing a terrible diagnosis and I knew I was at this turning point in my life. I cried through the whole thing, even before the procedure started. I'm a doctor at this hospital, and I got mascara and snot all over the pillow in front of my colleagues! (Oh, the little things we worry about!).
They have progressively gotten better because I've learned and because they weren't so momentous.
Hope your experience is close to a "piece of cake"!
Definitely take the pre-meds provided to you ahead of time. You will need someone to give you a ride.
The first one is so scary because it's unknown, I think it's also crucial to have someone supportive with you, not just some random "person from work" give you a ride. Hopefully, it would be a loved one. If they allow that person in the room with you, do it! Have them hold your hand and stroke your hair. It helps!
My first one was awful. I was unprepared for how painful it would be. I think a major reason it was so painful was my fear and anxiety. I thought I could tough it out alone, so no one was with me (BIG mistake), and I was facing a terrible diagnosis and I knew I was at this turning point in my life. I cried through the whole thing, even before the procedure started. I'm a doctor at this hospital, and I got mascara and snot all over the pillow in front of my colleagues! (Oh, the little things we worry about!).
They have progressively gotten better because I've learned and because they weren't so momentous.
Hope your experience is close to a "piece of cake"!
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Bone marrow biopsy procedure - feeling nervous
Bone marrow biopsies seem to be a microcosm of multiple myeloma itself in the sense that the experience varies so widely across people.
I've had 7 of them so far, as I've progressed from MGUS to smoldering to symptomatic multiple myeloma and then through treatment as part of a clinical trial (which has probably added an extra couple of BMBs more than normal) to sCR and MRD negative status as of my most recent BMB in July of last year. I'll be getting another BMB this July.
allenbonslett, you hold the record for the most BMBs that I've heard of. Congratulations!
Like castaway, I had little time to worry about my first BMB. Like 5 minutes! My local hematologist / oncologist announced to me during my 2nd visit with him that he was going to do it right then and there, as he asked me how well I tolerated pain. I hadn't even thought about it before then, and barely knew what a BMB was at that point. That all probably worked in my favor.
Eric H's description of the process is spot on for what I've experienced. Only one of mine was what I'd call seriously painful. Maybe the myeloma specialist doing that biopsy was "stingier" with the numbing agent that time. Unfortunately, that was the only one where my wife was in the room with me during the BMB. She doesn't want to see another one after that.
rneb's point about breathing is a good one. Concentrating on deep breathing during the procedure helps me relax a little and focus on something other than the drilling. Sean Murray wrote a great Beacon last year with BMB breathing tips:
"Sean’s Burgundy Thread: Breathing Does A Body Good," The Myeloma Beacon, July 1, 2014
Terry J, I'm sorry that your first BMB was so tough!
I always have to ask my myeloma specialist after the process is finished if s/he finally managed to strike oil this time.
Best wishes, cslatosch, for your upcoming BMB. I hope it goes smoothly and that you get good news with the results. Please keep us posted.
Mike
I've had 7 of them so far, as I've progressed from MGUS to smoldering to symptomatic multiple myeloma and then through treatment as part of a clinical trial (which has probably added an extra couple of BMBs more than normal) to sCR and MRD negative status as of my most recent BMB in July of last year. I'll be getting another BMB this July.
allenbonslett, you hold the record for the most BMBs that I've heard of. Congratulations!
Like castaway, I had little time to worry about my first BMB. Like 5 minutes! My local hematologist / oncologist announced to me during my 2nd visit with him that he was going to do it right then and there, as he asked me how well I tolerated pain. I hadn't even thought about it before then, and barely knew what a BMB was at that point. That all probably worked in my favor.
Eric H's description of the process is spot on for what I've experienced. Only one of mine was what I'd call seriously painful. Maybe the myeloma specialist doing that biopsy was "stingier" with the numbing agent that time. Unfortunately, that was the only one where my wife was in the room with me during the BMB. She doesn't want to see another one after that.
rneb's point about breathing is a good one. Concentrating on deep breathing during the procedure helps me relax a little and focus on something other than the drilling. Sean Murray wrote a great Beacon last year with BMB breathing tips:
"Sean’s Burgundy Thread: Breathing Does A Body Good," The Myeloma Beacon, July 1, 2014
Terry J, I'm sorry that your first BMB was so tough!
I always have to ask my myeloma specialist after the process is finished if s/he finally managed to strike oil this time.
Best wishes, cslatosch, for your upcoming BMB. I hope it goes smoothly and that you get good news with the results. Please keep us posted.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Bone marrow biopsy procedure - feeling nervous
I had my bone marrow biopsy about 2 weeks ago. I also was very nervous about it. When I got there, the nurses were very kind and very understanding. I was given an oral Valium (diazepam) about one half hour before the procedure and was also able to have I.V. sedation. I believe that it was fentanyl and Versed (midazolam). My nurse explained that she would be right there with me during the procedure.
The doctor was very nice and, all in all, it went a lot better then I thought it would. I did feel some pain in my leg, it didn't last very long, the nurse gave me a little more medication, and soon the procedure was through. I had some soreness in the hip area for about 2 days. I will not dread the next one, which I am sure there are several ahead for me.
Hang in there. You will do fine.
The doctor was very nice and, all in all, it went a lot better then I thought it would. I did feel some pain in my leg, it didn't last very long, the nurse gave me a little more medication, and soon the procedure was through. I had some soreness in the hip area for about 2 days. I will not dread the next one, which I am sure there are several ahead for me.
Hang in there. You will do fine.
Re: Bone marrow biopsy procedure - feeling nervous
I have had several BMBs now. I have taken no drugs prior to the procedures. The injections prior to the biopsy are no worse than any other injections (probably less so than any dental procedure). Then, I just tell myself that it will be over in a couple of minutes. It is really just a few seconds of feeling uncomfortable. Negligible soreness afterwards really. Good luck! 
Re: Bone marrow biopsy procedure - feeling nervous
I've had BMBs five times. One was a bilateral, so that makes six pokes. No problem with any of them. The first time I was awake and telling a story for what I thought the whole time, and only when I saw the bill did I see that I got some sedation.
An important thing to know is that they squirt some local anesthetic down the needle before they suck out the aspirate. With that trick, no pain. I've seen the marrow cores, and even had a do-over when one broke. The last BMB there was just an ordinary band-aid on it. Peeled it off the next day and back to normal.
An important thing to know is that they squirt some local anesthetic down the needle before they suck out the aspirate. With that trick, no pain. I've seen the marrow cores, and even had a do-over when one broke. The last BMB there was just an ordinary band-aid on it. Peeled it off the next day and back to normal.
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Mister Dana - Name: Mister Dana
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Bone marrow biopsy procedure - feeling nervous
I had my BMB today! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I would like to thank everyone for all the tips. I took bits and pieces of them and it worked well for me.
It could of been worse, though, because I have "dry taps / dry pockets," and it took three tries before they could find marrow to extract. But, all in all, it wasn't as bad as I made it out to be in my head.
So, once again, thank you for all your support!
It could of been worse, though, because I have "dry taps / dry pockets," and it took three tries before they could find marrow to extract. But, all in all, it wasn't as bad as I made it out to be in my head.
So, once again, thank you for all your support!
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