As a follow-up to last week’s poll about pain management during bone marrow biopsies, this week’s question is about how painful bone marrow biopsies are.
A few clarifications:
First, you may have undergone multiple bone marrow biopsies, some of which may have been more painful than others. Please answer based on your last bone marrow biopsy.
Second, if you are a caregiver or family member of a myeloma patient, feel free to answer on their behalf.
As always, feel free to post comments, thoughts, or feedback in the space below. They can be very useful to other readers.
If you would like to read about and discuss the approaches to pain management used during bone marrow biopsies, please see last week’s poll:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/weekly-poll-pain-management-for-bone-marrow-biopsies-t933.html
Forums
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain
Mild pain when you are knocked out. This is the way to go. I have had in the past un-anesthesized biopsies and they were both TERRIBLE!! Don't do this.
Julia Munson
Julia Munson
-
Jubyanne - Name: Julia Munson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself, son's mother-in-law
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain
My last few biopsies have been a thousand times better than the first few, because I have finally learned to request the right person to do them. In the past, it has taken up to 4 tries (meaning 4 different holes drilled!) to get the right sample. Now I ask for Nurse Don, who is always successful the first time. I discovered that he has also been on the "giving" end of bone marrow biopsies, and so he has a sense of just where to inject the lidocaine and knows just when to give me a heads-up. He doesn't try to distract me or to work sneakily, but is straightforward and tells me what he is doing and when. In fact, when Nurse Don does my biopsy, I can even drive myself home! My advice--don't be afraid of hurting one nurse's feelings by requesting another. They are grateful to know when someone is a difficult case (like me!) and are only too happy to pass it off to a Nurse Don.
-
Dana - Name: Dana
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain
I am a 8 1/2 year survivor and I have had 12 bone marrow biopsies. I have had only 1 painful biopsy, my first one. I know these biopsies are part of my life now and they are required to monitor my Myeloma. I go into the procedure with this mindset, I need it to see how my marrow is doing. I am able to relax, I don't stress one bit, what good would it do? I am proud of myself that I have been able to control this part of my treatment. I find if I use humor while I am having them it helps, I joke around with the person doing them. They are always apologizing and I always tell them it's ok, just do it. Another helpful hint, don't let your doctor do them, nurse practitioners do a much better job and they can usually find the spot first try. My first one was done by my doctor, never again.
-
kaycromie
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain
I just had my last bone marrow extraction last week. I told them that the one prior to that the Dr. had given my enough freezing for 4 adults and that he said that he would have to charge me extra ( his attempt to make light of a serious situation, it was my diagnosis ) ... That was a painful experience when the freezing didn't hold. Last week's there was manageable pain, and I only requested extra freezing once and that was due to the time factor. It was hard to break my hip bone ... proof that the Pami works. I am thinking right now, that the hardest part of a BME for me is waiting for the results.
-
Lori H
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain
I had my third bone marrow biopsy last Monday. I premedicated with Klonapin (.5 mg) at home to help the nerves. It was fine. The Dr gave me local anesthesia and since I knew what to expect, it went smoothly. There was about 5 seconds of pain and some "crunching" but otherwise, no big deal. I was sore for a couple of days afterward. I would compare it to having a tooth pulled.
-
meread - Name: Mary E Read
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me, exhusband (deceased)
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2011, May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain - 2012
I was told that they would apply local anesthesia to skin and outer tissue, but that they could not sedate inside the bone.
I definitely did not enjoy the procedure. And would not repeat it every Friday. But ...
I could of course not feel them going through the skin and tissue. The local anesthesia took care of that.
When they made the hole in the bone, I could hear them working, and although it was not directly painful, my body sent signals that there was an attack, and that "you" should probably stop it.
Whether it was an actual internal signal at another level than pain, another frequency
or just me, listening to the plumber working on my bone and finding it highly inappropriate, I do not know. But no pain in the ordinary meaning of this word, so far.
When they sucked the test out I felt a distinct and unusual pain. It was not nice, definitely not, but not at the-shout-at-the-nurse level. And, more important, it probably lasted only 1-2 seconds.
One interesting point: They had told me that I would not feel anything on the outside, but that when sucking and creating the vacuum, I would probably feel pain for a short while. And this was what I experienced.
Much of my reaction to the procedure was obviously a strong sense of wanting to protect the interior parts of my body. Parts that I have not previously let anyone touch. Whether it was only in my head ... or it was from actual "non pain" signals through the nerves.
As stated before, I am not going to have a bone marrow biopsy as entertainment every Friday night. But after trying the very first one, I am not afraid if another should be needed. In my case, the pain was for a few seconds, expected, and probably at level 5.
Was I lucky, or did the nurse and physician professionally inform me to understand what to expect ... combined with talking / coaching me through the procedure?
No one can make statistics and conclusions from one case. But how important are expectations?
I definitely did not enjoy the procedure. And would not repeat it every Friday. But ...
I could of course not feel them going through the skin and tissue. The local anesthesia took care of that.
When they made the hole in the bone, I could hear them working, and although it was not directly painful, my body sent signals that there was an attack, and that "you" should probably stop it.
Whether it was an actual internal signal at another level than pain, another frequency
or just me, listening to the plumber working on my bone and finding it highly inappropriate, I do not know. But no pain in the ordinary meaning of this word, so far.When they sucked the test out I felt a distinct and unusual pain. It was not nice, definitely not, but not at the-shout-at-the-nurse level. And, more important, it probably lasted only 1-2 seconds.
One interesting point: They had told me that I would not feel anything on the outside, but that when sucking and creating the vacuum, I would probably feel pain for a short while. And this was what I experienced.
Much of my reaction to the procedure was obviously a strong sense of wanting to protect the interior parts of my body. Parts that I have not previously let anyone touch. Whether it was only in my head ... or it was from actual "non pain" signals through the nerves.
As stated before, I am not going to have a bone marrow biopsy as entertainment every Friday night. But after trying the very first one, I am not afraid if another should be needed. In my case, the pain was for a few seconds, expected, and probably at level 5.
Was I lucky, or did the nurse and physician professionally inform me to understand what to expect ... combined with talking / coaching me through the procedure?
No one can make statistics and conclusions from one case. But how important are expectations?
-
Lev - Name: Lev
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain - 2012
I was a nervous wreck before my first bone marrow biopsy. I was afraid of the pain, but they sedated me pretty well and added something to make me forget. I was not aware of any pain at all. The week afterward, I felt a minor twinge in the left hip where they did the biopsy.
I have another one scheduled for November. I hope it will be as easy as the first one was.
I have another one scheduled for November. I hope it will be as easy as the first one was.
-
PeggyB - Name: Peggy B
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain - 2012
I had my first BMB today. I could not believe how easy it was. The only pain was from when they gave me the numbing needle injections and it was not any worse than an ordinary shot. I worried more than needed.
The worst part is waiting for the results. I pray and hope I am cancer free.
Best of luck on yours and hope your results are a ok.
The worst part is waiting for the results. I pray and hope I am cancer free.
Best of luck on yours and hope your results are a ok.
-
Jerry l
Re: Weekly Poll – Bone Marrow Biopsies And Pain - 2012
I just had my 8th bone marrow biopsy (done quarterly). I only get local sedation and will say, not all that bad. Better to know what is going on at all times. I go to Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Hospital St. Louis, MO. An awesome place to be treated I have several more to go, but so far I am free and clear.
Best wishes to all
Best wishes to all
-
dlc
16 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2