bone marrow

[Connemmara]

My friend has been diagnosed lymphoma and is undergoing a bone marrow test next Monday - however the consultant has more or less no anaesthesia will be used. Is this normal. My friend did say the cancer clinic is bulging with sick people but I say anaesthesia should be given on this. Anybody have this done. Thanks for any answers.

[Sqad]

I have never had a bone marrow examination, but it will be done under local anaesthesia.

Uncomfortable, but not painful.

[bednobs]

as above - i have never seen a bone marrow biopsy done under a general anaesthetic, but they do inject some local anaesthetic forst, and this is quite normal. Under very exceptional circumstances they might give some midazolam, which knocks you out a bit (like a waking dream) but very unlikely i would think, as it incurrs nursing time for recovery etc(i only saw it used for a bloke with learning disabilities - -i worked on a bone marrow transplant/heamatology ward for 5 years as a nurse). Your friend is most probably going to have to have a few of these test over the course of their illness

[Robinia]

Agree with the above posts...I've had it done 3 times with a local. As sqad said, a bit uncomfortable but it's over quickly so not worth the trauma (well it would be to me) of an unnecessary general anaesthetic.
Best wishes to your friend Connemmara.

[Connemmara]

thanks to you all for your answers. This person is a wonderful friend and I am hoping she will get better from this. bye

[Connemmara]

Hi I am back on again regarding lymphoma - will my friend live - God help her - she said if she got 5 years or more - she will be happy - she is 60 at Christmas.

[Robinia]

Connemmara, remission and survival depends on many things...the type of lymphoma, how it's affected the body & organs, other medical problems etc. not to mention sheer determination from the patient to keep going. Against all the odds I survived Hodgkins lymphoma many yrs ago - it was a late diagnosis - so if I can do it anyone can! Treatments have improved greatly since then and side effects are better controlled...as has the emotional understanding and support which is vital. I hope your friend has the strength and support to see her through this - one day at a time and before long she'll be a third of the way through, then half & finally the home stretch. It might seem daunting now, but the bad days will pass, it's not all doom & misery, try to have lots of smiles along the way. I wish her the very best.... & you too, you're obviously a good friend to have. x

[Connemmara]

thanks Robinia for your answer - it was very reassuring - I did tell her about you although I just said it was somebody I knew who had it done 3 times. Yes you are right - she has fantastic positive attitude to this. I also told her about the anaesthesia and she has been reassured with this. She had 2 boys quite late in life one at 21 and 22 and she lives for them. I do have a lot of people praying for her and I got her a relic of Padre Pio which she sleeps with him under her pillow. Again thanks for your answer - bye for now

[sara3]

I wish your friend well, Connemmara x