How are you doing today @Loopykat?
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I was really worried but found it ok, taken by a very nice nurse, can’t say it was painful , but uncomfortable but over quickly x much worse things x
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Ive had at least 6 and can honestly say that i carried on as normal after each. A bit sore at the site of needle entry but notthing a couple of paracetamol didn’t deal with.
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Hi was a while a ago for me but after the event no probs. Nothing in the journey is fun but it’s minor event and I wish you well in the road ahead.
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Hi there!
You should be given a local anaesthetic but my recommendation would be to ask them to give you a little extra. I always do this even at the dentist!
I was fine during and after, just a little tender as you’d expect…like a nasty bruise feels. Doesn’t take long but it was suggested that i didnt drive myself home. Walking should be fine, put something on the site like antiseptic cream. Good luck!
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I didn’t respond to your original post Loopykat because we all approach these procedures differently and our experiences are never identical. I found my biopsy straight forward, just uncomfortable but that’s no guarantee your experience would be the same.
Well done for getting through it. All these tests are so important in arriving at a diagnosis. Best wishes.
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Had my last one two years ago after I had to come off the Flair trial. Got a bus, then had a 5 hour boat trip to get home! Thank heavens I was Ok. At least the bar on the boat was open!!
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Plenty of replies here already- but as I am newly diagnosed with an MPN, just over a week now, and had my first bone marrow samples taken( aspiration and Trephine) today, I thought I might as well give my thoughts. I was a little apprehensive of course, and this was made worse by being told that a bone marrow core sample was required, as well as the aspiration I had expected. However, despite some pain when having the local anaesthetic injected and brief pain during both procedures the whole experience was less painful than I had thought it might be. The women carrying out the procedure were good- straightforward and competent- so this helped me to relax- and I discovered during childbirth that wiggling my toes really helps me deal with pain, without moving, so this also helped a lot. I was able to go to the clinic waiting area, sit down and drink a glass of water and then leave to get a bus home.
The procedure was surreal, as everything seems just now, after getting an MPN diagnosis out of the blue, and being asymptomatic. This procedure also made it seem more real, and this shook me a little. I have been thinking today ‘Why me?’ and answering myself ‘Why not me?’
The area is a little achy now, but I took a paracetamol when I felt the local wearing off, and don’t feel any pain as such.
Hope this is helpful for someone. It has helped me to say it all.
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I’m sorry about your recent diagnosis @Fem. It is the precedures such as biopsies which begin to make it all real - you are right. I hope you have plenty of support, and a bit of an immediate plan from your haematologist?
Glad it helps to talk here. We are all ears - because we’ve been there too. So welcome to the forum, and keep on posting. We’re here for you.
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The reality of it all hit me during the procedure and I just broke down so I completely understand your feelings today. It’s so much to process.
Thank you for sharing and I’m really glad you have found our forum. Everybody is such a great support and understands X
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Thanks so much @Fem for sharing your experiences of your first bone marrow procedure.
I would expect more than a glass of water afterwards, I would expect at least a mug of hot chocolate and shortbread biccies, my favourite.
After a hospital appointment I often treat myself to those favourites of mine from the coffee shop in the hospital. The first time I did it I managed to pour the hot chocolate down my front and I looked a right mess on the bus. At least it meant nobody sat next to me.
I am impressed that you got the bus home afterwards.
What I was really struck and intrigued by was your handy hint that wriggling your toes helps with pain. I have thought about it and wondered if it helps you relax. I know pain is less when I relax.
I think it is so natural to go through the ‘why me’s’,
Look after yourself
Thanks Fullofbeans
I am with the MPN clinic at the hospital now, and for now am taking low dose aspirin on the advice of the haematologist and the specialist nurse I met at my last appointment in haematology. The hospital seems pretty organised and sent me home from that appointment (where MPN was confirmed) with a folder full of info and contact details. We also discussed the possibility that I will be prescribed Hydroxycarbamide or possibly interferon, so I feel lucky that they all know what they are doing and have good systems in place. All the best, Fem
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Thanks Erica
I suppose wriggling my toes does help relax-. The sensation maybe distracts from/ cancels out the pain a little bit, like rubbing your leg when you bump it on something. I do relax fairly well when I need to, breathing in deeply right down to your belly helps too (something I learned to do at choir, to get more puff!). Having said that, we can’t always stay calm and maybe shouldn’t expect ourselves to- it can end up with bottling stuff up and no one knowing you are upset or anxious. (been there)
Thanks again, Fem
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Hi @Fem, a warm welcome to the community and thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. I’m sure what you’ve said will help others too (I like your breathing advice), but I also hope it’s been helpful for you to let things out a bit - this is a safe space for you to do so. I’m pleased to hear your team seem organised. Do take your time with it all - it’s not an easy process to go through, and it’s natural to feel many things at once.
Our Support Team are here for you as and when you need us (0808 2080 888 or support@bloodcancer.org.uk).
Best wishes,
Tanya.
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Great to hear about all of your replies! Surreal is a good way to describe it! I hurt for ten days, trouble getting in and out of bed and a chair. The registrar had to use two needles because of, (I presume),my crazy platelets. But the actual procedure wasn’t too bad.
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After having 7 of them I can quite honestly say I haven’t volunteered to have anymore for trial I was on. Out of the 7 one was ok it was done by a consultant the others hated them. Afterwards felt a little weird but nothing too bad. Drove home after a few. Took the dressing of after a few days and didn’t have any problems.
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