bone marrow biopsy

I am puzzled as I have read in a number of places people talking about bone marrow biopsies being very painful. I have read posts that say no sedation was given prior to the biopsy. When I had mine about a month ago, I felt almost nothing and what I did feel was not painful, just something far, far away. So I decided to write down what I was given so that it might help someone else have a better experience. Prior to me going down to the biopsy, my nurse gave me two 500 mg hydrocodones. When I was in the biopsy room, I was given 4mg versed and 200 mcg of fentanyl. Also given 10ml of lidocaine locally after I was sedated on the other stuff. I was only vaguely aware of what was going on. I had read ahead of time what I was supposed to feel, so that when I felt the first thing, I thought, "Oh, that must be the 'sharp' feeling," but it wasn't sharp. Then I felt something else and thought, "That must be the drawing out," but I barely felt anything at all. Maybe you could request these drugs if you have to have a biopsy.

Everyone has a different experience with the biopsies. I didn't have any meds or sedation except the local numbing shots and I didn't find the procedure all that painful. It was done in my doctors office and took only 20 minutes. For me, the fear of having the procedure was worse than actually having it. My doctor joked with my husband the whole time and I was glad they were having so much fun, but I wanted them to shut up so I could go into my zone. Looking back, it wasn't all that traumatic and my doctors relaxed demeanor made it a little easier. The only thing I felt were the two shots and one big jolt when he drew the marrow. It was over quick.

The first failed attempt at my bmb, I was given Ativan to relax, a light dose of norco for any pain and lidocaine to numb the area. After numbing what felt like my entire back and arse, the doctor concluded he wasn't feeling too confident in continuing (something about not finding easy access to a bone that he liked) and said that we'd try again the next day.

The next day, I was given the magical cocktail of versed and fentanyl. I blacked out the entire procedure and about an hour afterward and spent the rest of the day with fuzzy memories. It was glorious.

Afterwards, I had minimal pain that Tylenol cured. It wasn't as bad as people told me it would be.

You've gotta love that cocktail! I was dreading the procedure. Even my doctor said it would be painful. Actually, all three were amazed when I said it was a "piece of cake."

I didn't think it was too painful either....I was just given numbing meds at the injection site. I was told I was going to have it done at the beginning of ivg treatment so I had plenty of time to have a nervous breakdown and recover from it before the procedure. I know people tell these stories of screaming and jumping off table during procedure.