Fao Sqad

[jennyjoan]

When you get the time Sqad - I have about 3-4 friends going through cancer and everyone of them said getting the bone marrow test pain is absolutely excruciatingly painful.

I know you cannot numb the bone but my God could these people not be given some sedation for that awful pain. I don't want to google or youtube it - it would upset me too much - but could you give me that answer. Thanks

[Sqad]

I have never had a bone marrow biopsy.

But yes......you can have IV sedation (if requested) and yes, the area is locally anaesthetised.

You will still feel the momentary sharp pain as the biopsy needle enters the marrow.

[ummmm]

I think they are given sedation.

The doctors wanted to give my nan the test as they thought she may have secondary cancer but as she has advanced dementia they left it with us to decide as the test may be too distressing. She already had a mastectomy. We decided against it and she's still with us...

[Peter Pedant]

you should be able to anaesthetise the periosteum around the bone with local anaesthetic - marcain would do - sorry a few technical words here

and you can use large amounts 0.5% ten or twenty mls- I dont know if anyone does

[ the max dose of marcain 0.25% here is 1 ml/kg so for fat boy such as the writer is 1oo mls yup one hundred ]

It is the suck on the syringe that the patient objects to

but you know - it is not as tho you are having your toes cut off with a bolt cutter ....

sedation is poss
but no driving and you have to have a carer

[hc4361]

A relative has had it done twice and says that it is nowhere as bad as he thought it would be. Very quickly recovered from the tests, too

[gness]

Conne....I've had this done and it wasn't that bad at all......nowhere near excruciating.....the anticipation after beind told how awful it was going to be is the nuisance.......x

[jennyjoan]

Jaysus - can't believe the answers you are giving me cos these 3-4 people said actually one said she was beside stairs and she held onto the stairs screaming with the pain. Another friend who really has been through the mill - cancer losing hair etc - that stopped then she had major heart surgery - then more cancer and she said the worse of it all was this bone marrow test.

None of them were sedated as I think the cancer unit here in Belfast haven't got the time for the recovery period. Well done Gness - going through that too. Met a friend yesterday she said her husband had it done and he described as a drill going around the bone. Thanks for your answers.

[gness]

Conne.....I can't say I had much pain other than the needle going in which was nippy......I'd describe it as a dull, uncomfortable pressure....

I had it done for a weird blood disorder and got more pain from my mother when I had to ask about our ancestry than from the procedure.....☺

[Islay]

This is taken from Belfast City hospital own site.

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/tests/bone-marrow-test?script=true

[jennyjoan]

Didn't really want to read that link but it looks painful to me no harm to yous all. LOL. But then I am a big coley.

[Robinia]

I've had it done 3 times (Hodgkins lymphoma), not pleasant, but like gness I wouldn't say it was excruciating painful. For me it was a dull pressure followed by a sharp short lived pain. My first did ache afterwards. The secret it to hold yourself rigid and not move away, instinct makes you want to do that.

[jennyjoan]

ta Robinia - this friend has had it done 3 times too and she is a great sufferer bless her - but still says it is painful Anyway hope it never comes to my door that's all I can say.

[jennyjoan]

by the way Robinia - that's what my friend has hodgins etc - she has been suffering from it since she was 60 and she is now 66 but has a decision to make in a few weeks time re a chemo tablet that will not upset her heart etc. All a bit complicated for me. Hope you keep ok Robinia. Are you better now - you don't have the hodgins now do you xx

[Robinia]

Oh dear jj, that's an awfully long time to be battling it. I'd reached stage four before I was diagnosed so I only had one chance for them to get the correct treatment started. I went right to the edge and miraculously beat it, seven months of chemo. That was many years ago and I've had health probs but remained cancer free, thank you.
All the very best to your friend.

[Sqad]

JJ...there is Hodgkins Disease..........and there is Hodgkins Disease and depending upon which type and stage, it is no longer a death sentence and the prognosis is quite good.

[jennyjoan]

Great for you Robinia - that is wonderful news. I do realise what you are saying Sqad but my friend has what Robinia had- don't forget she did have major heart surgery in the middle of chemo sessions - she is very positive person so I think that helps however she is low at the moment over the decision re this tablet.

[silliemillie]

I've had a bone marrow biopsy, it wasn't inscrutinising but it did bring tears to my eyes. But it doesn't last too long.

[gordiescotland1]

To all the non hodgkins sufferers did you notice a pea sized lump on your clavicle I've had it for a couple of weeks now and I googled it and it said that this was a symptom of nhl

[DaisyNonna]

What did he lose?
Naughty to shout

[Sqad]

gordie.........serves you right for Googling medical matters.

Your lump is extremely unlikely to be anything to do with malignancy........see your GP