Advice for Bone Marrow biopsy THIS FRIDAY!

Hi All,

My hematologist has lightly been suggesting a bone marrow biopsy for awhile now. My ITP for the most part has been OK as of recent but my red blood cells are chronically large (MCV ranging 100-106) however everything else is normal. So i finally scheduled my bone marrow biopsy for this Friday and im beyond anxious to the point where i want to cancel. I am so scared about being put under anesthesia and extremely scared about what the results might be. Can anybody offer advice or suggestions? Im also wondering if I should do the procedure without anesthesia and instead just do local? Im also wondering if i should be putting myself through this at all.

Thank you so much!
Staci

Hi Staci,

I have not heard of anyone having anesthesia for a bone marrow biopsy, really, it is not that bad. There is a lot of info about it under a recent topic here...Prednisone failure next step. KayL has a very good response and it will help you.

I guess the worst part is waiting for the results.

Really, try not to worry. The first one I had I had no pain meds. The second one I had years later I took half a Percocet. It is very fast, you will be out of there in 20 minutes. Then treat yourself to a nice lunch out.

Dru

It was not a big deal for me. I agree with Dru, take yourself out for a nice lunch afterwards.

Honestly, you don't need anesthesia. I had one with nothing but a local. It sounds scarier than it is.

This was my experience: Laid on table in doctors office. Doctor put on a CD that I said I liked. Doctor gave first injection in rear to numb the skin. Doctor and husband joked about vacation experiences. I wanted them both to shut up because they were disturbing my happy place. Doctor gave second shot to numb the muscle. Barely felt that. Doctor and husband still chuckling about who knows what. I was still annoyed and wanted it over. Doctor granted that wish and did the extraction. I felt a jolt and before I could say "ouch", it was over. Got a band-aid on butt and went home. It took about 20 minutes.

Your rear will be sore for a few days, but that is about the worst of it. Just don't drop things so you won't have to bend over and you'll be okay.

Ya my hema is really pushing that i be put under with twilight. guess i have to think about it.

I am really anxious about the results. Has anybody had large red blood cells associated with ITP? All my other blood results are normal with the exception of low ferritin. apparently i am not anemic.

thanks a lot,
Staci

Ask your doctor or his office - why do they want to use twilight - tell them everyone else you know who has had a bmb has done it with local.
Erica

Large red cells have nothing to do with ITP. Large red cells can be due to a B-12 or folate deficiency. Have you had those checked?

A lot of us have had low ferritin, me included. If it goes on long enough, you can become anemic. I treated mine with ferrous sulfate for a few weeks and the level went up. I was having RLS due to the low ferritin but it took me two years to discover that.

Hi Sandi,

My b12 is fine actually but yes i do have low ferritin and that is what they will be checking with the BMB. however my doc seems to think that the low ferritin has nothing to do with my large red blood cells. so it remains a mystery, hopefully i get some answers from the BMB but praying that its nothing serious.

thanks sandi

I had valium and I concur that the procedure wasn't that bad.

Actually the Dr said he would give me valium and when the time there was none. "What happened to the valium?" I asked. "Oh yeah - OK" and then I got it....

I am SO soft - I told my nurse that and he gave me some extra local anaesthetic. I barely felt a thing and although I wouldn't love to have it done again, I wouldn't be worried if I was told I needed another. It's really not that bad with local - promise! Good luck with it

Thanks all for your support! I did the bone marrow on friday under anesthesia and it went well. now just praying for healthy results!

Staci

Keep us posted Staci!

Best of luck!

Jeffrey