This week’s question is about approaches for managing pain during bone marrow biopsies.
A few clarifications:
First, you may have undergone multiple bone marrow biopsies, several of which may have used different approaches for pain management. Please answer based on the approach used during 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.
In the space below, please describe in more detail the approach or approaches you and your health care provider have used to manage your pain during bone marrow biopsies.
Forums
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
I have had 3 aspirations and 2 biopsies. For the last 2 no pain killers were given whatsoever.
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suzierose - Name: suzierose
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
Wow, suzierose. Nothing to deaden the pain whatsoever? No local, no sedatives, no nothing?
Yikes!
How did it go? Did they give you a couple of shots of bourbon instead?
Yikes!
How did it go? Did they give you a couple of shots of bourbon instead?
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TerryH
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
Some people are allergic to the sedatives, but I was able to have them. After the first BMB, with only local anaesthetic, I opted for the sedative as well on the next two times. That made it a lot easier! Also had it for the insertion of the venous central line, and for another medical procedure unrelated to myeloma...wow, in the last 2 1/2 years must have had 4 procedures with the sedatives, and never had them in my life before!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
I have had 2 BMbx. The first was tough. The Dr. Was inexperienced (I think) and he had a hard time. It took three tries. Those who have had it know what I'm talking about when they get into the bone. It's a sensation beyond explanation. I got very sick to my stomach and light headed. It seemed to take forever. He felt bad as he is a very good and compassionate Dr. Just young and I don't think he had done many before. My second was at the NIH and George used a drill. It was a piece of cake. It took 3 minutes. Much less discomfort after also. It also helped that I knew what to expect. The first time I was clueless and I did not research it.
Last edited by Art on Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Art - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 40
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
Wow suzirose you are a Warrior!! Although I have to say I might try it with no Lidocane if they used a drill again. It also helps that George at the NIH has done Hundreds if not thousands of procedures.
Art
Art
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Art - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 40
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
I've had two and I agree with Art that the one at the NIH was a relative breeze as the physician's assistant who does them has incredible skill and experience---they even took an extra tube of aspirate for research purposes and I didn't even notice.
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terryl1 - Name: Terry
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 10, 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
I had extra aspirate taken out for research purposes also, once I got into the SCT process, and that made me feel that I was contributing to the whole system! Luckily, the sedation took the pain away. I think it's neat that some of you have met physician's assistants that can do BMB's with not much pain...that's a real skill, isn't it?
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
Hi Art and Terry!!
Art, like you my first one was god awful, it was just horrific. Couldn't even believe I had submitted to such torture. And unlike you Art, I had read about it which is why I was on the verge of hysteria, my spouse held my hand the entire time. I squeezed the heck out of it too...he told me he thought it was gonna break on the way home..
The second two, were just as you and Terry described...at NIH with George and it was little to no discomfort...unbelieveable!! What a difference expertise makes.
Although, my pressure was sky high, just the idea of the BM and aspiration fills me with anxiety and I am terrified.
Even so, I have weathered them and I survived.
Thank God for the little blessings.
Art, like you my first one was god awful, it was just horrific. Couldn't even believe I had submitted to such torture. And unlike you Art, I had read about it which is why I was on the verge of hysteria, my spouse held my hand the entire time. I squeezed the heck out of it too...he told me he thought it was gonna break on the way home.
.The second two, were just as you and Terry described...at NIH with George and it was little to no discomfort...unbelieveable!! What a difference expertise makes.
Although, my pressure was sky high, just the idea of the BM and aspiration fills me with anxiety and I am terrified.
Even so, I have weathered them and I survived.
Thank God for the little blessings.
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suzierose - Name: suzierose
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011
Re: Weekly Poll – Pain Management For Bone Marrow Biopsies
My husband has had multiple bone marrow biopsies prior to and during his course of treatment for multiple myeloma. He never looks forward to them for sure! Fortunately, the one's performing the procedures at UAMS are quite adept at the procedure and he has minimal discomfort. The only time he complained was when the doctor did it who was inexperienced. There, patients have the option of sedation with a "lollipop" which is Fentyl. They are given two and begin swabbing it in their jaw about 20-30 minutes prior to the procedure. It relaxes the patient and helps ease the nerves. Most people come out stating they had the best tech...I'm sure it's the result of great skill due to experience and the sedation from the lollipop. Fortunately, the lollipop doesn't make the patient wheezy, off balance, or anything like that. At least that is my husband's experience.
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Louise
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