Hemochromatosis Support Group

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which causes iron to accumulate in a number of body tissues, eventually causing organ dysfunction. It is the main iron overload disorder. Hemochromatosis is notorious for having symptoms that are often initially misattributed to other diseases.

518 Members
2,097 Posts
0 Online
Gastrointestinal System
/ Hemochromatosis Support Group

Bone marrow biopsy

birkita
birkita
My hemoglobin and hemocrit have been pushing or over the limits for over a year so after my last HH phleb my doctor told me I am to have a bone marrow biopsy. Is there anyone who can give me some tips or tell me honestly it will not hurt like all hell :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Honestly....it hurts pretty bad :( When they did mine they gave me a sedative and numbed the area where they inserted the needle but once it hit bone it was not pleasant. Just try to relax as much as possible. Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
If they give you a sedative through an IV, it seems they should be able to get you pretty deep temporarily while they aspirate the bone marrow, which shouldn't take too long.
Are you having this in a doctors office or in a freestanding center where there is an anesthesia team?
If anesthesia is involved, maybe they can give you propofol for a brief few minutes since you are apprehensive about it. That would knock you out instead of just relax you. Propofol wouldn't be safe or able to be administered if anesthesia is not there though.
birkita
birkita
It will be in a room in my Oncology Infusion center where I have my phlebs done. I do not know yet what staff will be available. I have so many aches and pains in general I am not looking forward to a new one being made by my doctor.
birkita
birkita
Luckily the doctor called and said they would use Versed. Now hopefully they find something totally treatable/manageable in the marrow to make the effort, worrying and probable expense worthwhile.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Birkita, Good luck with your procedure and let us know how things go.
birkita
birkita
Ouch, they were unable to make me drowsy using versed and despite a ton of painkiller it was like they were just giving me water. So yes it hurt a lot and hours later it is like I was punched extremely hard on my hip bone. I hope the results show something useful to make it worth it.