A question about bone marrow test, please?

A question about bone marrow test, please?Bone marrow test are very uncomfortable (i.e., they hurt). Considering the uncomfortable nature of such, why can't or why don't they simply sedate the patient (i.e., knock him or her out) while doing this procedure?

I am possibly looking at having another one done as part of monitoring my multiple myeloma and I am not looking forward to the same.

thank you
Smile, I think was hoping for an answer like, "Sure, they can put you under and you wake up sore as hell!", however, your answers make sense.

My problem is that I am a former national level competative body builder and power lifter and when something hurts I tense up and then I have to relax enough for them to get the neddle out.

I don't reallly see why we have to keep doing the test as we already know it's there...

Thanks for the info to one and all, even the guy who withdrew his answer (?).

Also, I don't give thumbs down.

namaste

Answer by midnightmoon
Because the risk of anesthesia (as well as the cost and time) far out weighs the pain of the test.

I know it hurts, Ive had more than I care to count. But its just not worth it to be put to sleep for it. The whole procedure takes like 10 mins including prep, and the painful part is only about 30 seconds long.

Now, what you can do is ask for something like ativan. It will help keep you calm. I also like to have someone with me and I squeeze their hand, and use breathing exercises during the painful parts.

Answer by Denisedds
Well there is an additional risk to sedating the patient and most insurance companies will not pay for it. I know they hurt. I don't know who does yours; normally it is the oncologist or a pathologist. Doing them is really a matter of technique and usually doctors know if they are good at it or not even if they don't always admit to it. If you want to know the truth, sometimes oncologists will do them if they get paid for it, if not they send you to the hospital. Don't get me wrong, I work for several hospitals and with a lot of doctors and I like 90% of them, but this is just a fact of life. Neither specialty is better than the other. The only way a patient will know who is good at it and who is not is to ask around. You will need an inside source. Do you know any of the oncology nurses? Or anyone who works at the hospital? Ask them if they were having one done who would they want to do it?



EDIT: Well that explains it! My boyfriend owned a gym here in Southern California and was about to enter the Ironman completion several years ago when he had an accident and broke his arm. Now has a hernia and too much of a baby for surgery, but that is another story. Did you hear about the problems Chris Cormier had when he was taken to the hospital? Sometimes you need to be a little creative.

Talk to your oncologist. This is a doctor you should have a good relationship with. There should be a local they can give you to relax the muscles making it easier for everyone involved. You are a difficult person to do a biopsy on so this will help them too. Best wishes.

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