I've been on quarterly Zometa for a year. My doctor mentioned that future bone marrow biopsies may be extremely difficult with my hardened bone. Yikes – it was already not pretty before Zometa!
Would appreciate hearing about others' experiences and any helpful tips. Thanks!
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Blee - Name: Blee
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Zometa and bone marrow biopsies
I have had several BMBs and all but the first two occurred after I had been on Zometa. They have all been painful, and I don't think the Zometa has made any noticeably difference in how difficult they are. However, I had hard bones to start with, so they've always had trouble getting the needle into my hip bone.
The way I see it, the Zometa is primarily used to counteract bone breakdown and weakening due to the multiple myeloma and help restore your bone density back up to its normal levels. If you had significantly weakened bones to begin with, then yes it might become a bit harder to do a BMB as the bones return to their normal strength. However, once your bones get to their natural density and strength, I'm not sure that the Zometa would continue to significantly strengthen your bones further.
With respect to handling the pain, beyond the local anesthesia used for the procedure, a lot of people recommend getting semi-conscious sedation. This is similar to what's used in getting a colonoscopy, where it relaxes you and provides some pain management and you don't remember much about it afterwards.
The way I see it, the Zometa is primarily used to counteract bone breakdown and weakening due to the multiple myeloma and help restore your bone density back up to its normal levels. If you had significantly weakened bones to begin with, then yes it might become a bit harder to do a BMB as the bones return to their normal strength. However, once your bones get to their natural density and strength, I'm not sure that the Zometa would continue to significantly strengthen your bones further.
With respect to handling the pain, beyond the local anesthesia used for the procedure, a lot of people recommend getting semi-conscious sedation. This is similar to what's used in getting a colonoscopy, where it relaxes you and provides some pain management and you don't remember much about it afterwards.
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Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Zometa and bone marrow biopsies
It is true that with prolonged use of the intravenous bisphosphonates Zometa (zoledronic acid) and Aredia (pamidronate), bone strengthens and subsequent bone marrow biopsies may be more difficult as a result. It has been my experience, however, that this does not necessarily make the procedure more painful than the procedure may have been prior to administration of one of these agents.
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Dr. Jacob Laubach - Name: Jacob Laubach, M.D., M.P.P.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Zometa and bone marrow biopsies
Dr. Laubach, I hate to be picky, especially to one of our Medical Advisors, but I think you meant:
"It has been my OBSERVATION ... "
I've been on Zometa for over two years; have EXPERIENCED six BMBs, and have had no difficulty with any of them.
Blessings,
E.C.
"It has been my OBSERVATION ... "
I've been on Zometa for over two years; have EXPERIENCED six BMBs, and have had no difficulty with any of them.
Blessings,
E.C.
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Banrelk4 - Name: E.C.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 73
Re: Zometa and bone marrow biopsies
Appreciate reassuring replies. Thank you!
Not looking forward to another BMB but realize that it may be important for both GEP (which I never got) and to reassess FISH (which I understand may change with time).
Not looking forward to another BMB but realize that it may be important for both GEP (which I never got) and to reassess FISH (which I understand may change with time).
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Blee - Name: Blee
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Zometa and bone marrow biopsies
Hi Blee. I have had multiple bone marrow biopsies, both before and after I started Zometa. While the Zometa filled in the lesions in my bones, it didn't affect the biopsies or make them more painful.
Here's a different tidbit: almost all of my biopsies have been in my right hip. My left hip has osteopenia, predating my myeloma diagnosis. Only once did I have a bone marrow biopsy in that hip. It was easier to get the needle in to remove the bone marrow sample, but is was very difficult and painful when they tried to get a bone sample.
Dana A
Here's a different tidbit: almost all of my biopsies have been in my right hip. My left hip has osteopenia, predating my myeloma diagnosis. Only once did I have a bone marrow biopsy in that hip. It was easier to get the needle in to remove the bone marrow sample, but is was very difficult and painful when they tried to get a bone sample.
Dana A
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Zometa and bone marrow biopsies
Thanks, Dana. Interesting and surprising tidbit.
I would have guessed osteopenia would make BMB easier and less painful, while a "harder" bone would require more effort and more pain.
I would have guessed osteopenia would make BMB easier and less painful, while a "harder" bone would require more effort and more pain.
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Blee - Name: Blee
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 58
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