Bone Marrow Biopsy

[Hereford Wolf]

I’ve got to have one in a couple of weeks. To be quite honest, I am really not looking forward to it!
Has anyone had one done? Any reassurance would be gratefully received!

 

[BillyDee]

To be honest, they aren't particularly pleasant. But if it helps get a diagnosis, then the short term discomfort is worth it.
They go in from the back of the pelvis, so you'll be lying on your side. Local anaesthetic numbs the skin, but is largely useless.
The first stage is collecting fluid, so a needle is pushed in to withdraw it. This bit isn't so much painful, but the feeling of the fluid being drawn out is very unusual, as you don't often feel anything from inside your bone.
Next is the marrow collection. You ever seen scientists collecting an ice sample in the Arctic? It's like that. Push in a spike, twist it round, pull it out.
Then they patch you up, and let you go. Can't remember how long the dressing was on for, a week or two? About as long as the discomfort lasts for.
I wish I could tell you it's just a small prick, but it is not a pleasant experience. But for me the short term uncomfortableness was worth it to finally get a diagnosis and end the cycle of doctors, who didn't know what they were doing, randomly giving me drugs that didn't work.
All the best HW.

 

[The Bear]

The only thing I know about them is from watching House.

Uncomfortable maybe, but you'll no doubt get plenty of local anaesthetic. Where do you have to have it, the leg?

 

[Hereford Wolf]

I believe they take it from the hip as BillyDee has said. I have also seen House - that scared me!
I am a coward and require the strongest painkillers possible!

 

[Paul]

Whatever happens fingers crossed for you matey !

 

[BillyDee]

Put your hand on your spine just above the belt line, then move it a couple of inches to the right until you feel a boney protrusion of your hip. That's about where they go in.
I've never seen House, but bear in mind TV exaggerates for dramatic effect...

 

[The Bear]

I believe they take it from the hip as BillyDee has said. I have also seen House - that scared me!
I am a coward and require the strongest painkillers possible!

One thing I learned from the anaesthetist when I had a wisdom tooth out - use painkillers as a prophylactic method and take them before the procedure. I had some strong Ibuprofen an hour before the surgery and it helped massively.

 

[Keef]

All the best to you, hopefully it's not as painful as you imagine ( but probably is) and get better soon.

I was going to be flippant and say I know nothing about them apart from the John peel session they did was fantastic, but the debut album was terrible

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

Good luck HW, I know nothing about the procedure other than it is meant to be uncomfortable, I am myself a massive coward, the wife on the other hand has had procedures that make me feel queasy just thinking about them.

Good luck and I hope it goes as well as it can do

 

[Alan]

I'd be begging them to knock me out for a procedure such as that if I didn't know that would drive the bill up considerably.

Anything bigger than a vax needle and I get pretty desperate to not be conscious for the ordeal.

 

[nimrod]

I’m sure it’ll be ok HW. hard not to think about these things (I know I do) but they’re often worse in the imagination. You’ll be in safe hands. good luck anyhow.

 

[darlowolf64]

Good luck HW

 

[Hereford Wolf]

Thank you for your kind thoughts.
I am OK with most medical stuff and have had to be over the past few years, but for some reason this one is really playing on my mind.

When it is done, I will post on here in relief and probably in a very drunken state!

 

[sycophantia]

Good luck HW, hope it all goes well

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

Thank you for your kind thoughts.
I am OK with most medical stuff and have had to be over the past few years, but for some reason this one is really playing on my mind.

When it is done, I will post on here in relief and probably in a very drunken state!

Good man, I'm sure you'll be fine, and if not just think about the drink after you'll be enjoying

 

[Hereford Wolf]

It’s done! Thanks for all your help and good wishes.
The anticipation was worse than the procedure Itself. The staff at Haematology at Hereford Hospital were fantastic.
I told them I was a total coward and needed a lot of anaesthetic and they obliged! (I don’t think I had any more than they usually give really. ).

Fingers crossed for a good result due in two or three weeks.

Happy Christmas!

 

[Hereford Wolf]

Good News from my Biopsy. No sign of Myelofibrosis, which was the major concern.
They have increased my Chemo so there are things that are not going away, but this is a cause for a beer and a curry tonight!

 

[Alan]

Wonderful news!

Can't imagine what you're going through, but hang in there, matey.

 

[PPB]

Great news. Enjoy the beer and curry.

 

[darlowolf64]

That's fantastic news Hereford!