I'd like to tell you it's no big deal, but sometimes they can be quite
painful. I've lost count of how many I've had done. I find it helps if
I'm sitting in a chair, turned around so I'm holding the back of the
chair. That way you're more stable and it's easier for the physician to
perform the procedure (although he does have to be squatting to do it,
or at least leaning over). Also, ask him to talk you through it. That
way you don't get any surprises and can relax during the brief moments
when it hurts. I ask my doctors to let me know what's next a second
before, that way I don't have 5+ seconds to get all tense, as tension
often can increase stress rather than help you 'brace' for any pain,
real or just anticipated. That way, I know what each of the steps are
beforehand and I know what's coming next. It's about a 15-20 minute
procedure.

I generally don't go and do vigourous exercise afterwards, and make sure
to follow instructions regarding wound care afterwards (basically just
don't get it wet for 24 hours and if you do change the dressing + wipe
down with alcohol, chlorhexidine, or betadine immediately).

Cheers,

Ari

They numb the soft tissue over the bone, but aside from an epidural they
can't really numb the pelvis. I wouldn't risk an epidural for one of
these anyway. Sometimes they offer conscious sedation. Take it if you
want it. One time in hospital I was apparently given rhohypnol by a
resident before a bone marrow biopsy (BMB). I woke up feeling wrong,
very distressed, but had no idea why. Then I felt the bandage on my back
and I knew why I was so distressed. I don't recall having the biopsy or
even giving consent for it, much less giving consent to have a date rape
drug used on me. The nurse came in later to see how I was doing.
Apparently it was a very rough biopsy and I was in a lot of pain,
telling her it was the worst I'd ever experienced. Turns out the
resident scored the mantle of the bone and pulled chunks out of that
rather than the proper marrow cavity (no wonder it hurt so frelling
much, and the recovery time took way longer than any other biopsy I had
by a long shot in terms of long term discomfort in the bone). They asked
to do another and I was polite when I refused...which was difficult. I
felt extremely violated by the experience, but I would assume that's
just me, and others prefer to be sedated and have no memory of the
procedure.

Regards,

Ari