New Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 07:49 PM
Hi there,
It's been almost three months for me on Tasigna and my doctor is planning to do a lot of testing next month,
one is PCR test, he said if PCR looks good then he wants me to do a Bone Marrow Biopsy again,
but he didn't explaint why or I didn't understand it very well.
Anybody here that can explaint it to me???? Why do I need another biopsy?
Thanks guys.
Advanced Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 08:10 PM
The biopsy, or more likely bone marrow aspirate is needed to look at the bone marrow cells and check for mutations.
It is very important as it will indicate if your marrow is returning to normal.
Diagnosed 11 May 2011 (100% FiSH, 155% PCR)
with b2a2 BCR-ABL fusion transcript coding for the 210kDa BCR-ABL protein
Sprycel: 20 mg per day - taken at lights out with Quercetin and/or Magnesium Taurate
6-8 grams Curcumin C3 complex.
2015 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
2016 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
March 2017 PCR: 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
June 2017 PCR: "undetected"
September 2017 PCR: "undetected"
New Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 08:33 PM
Yes thats right, now I remeber he did say bone marrow aspirate, but whats the diffrence between marrow aspirate and bone marrow biopsy,
does it hurt the same? I hated my BMB at the dx, it was so painful.
New Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 08:40 PM
A bone marrow biopsy removes a small amount of bone and a small amount of fluid and cells from inside the bone (marrow). A bone marrow aspiration removes only the marrow
I have cancer but it doesn't have me
New Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 09:05 PM
Is it a hard and painful procedure?
Advanced Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 09:43 PM
It is standard procedure to do a second BMB at about 6 months after diagnosis.
You might want to read this:
http://community.lls.org/docs/DOC-1273
Advanced Member
Posted 07 December 2011 - 10:21 PM
If it is a bone marrow biopsy (bone taken) then it can be most uncomfortable. If it is bone aspirate (fluid & tissue only) then it is not so bad unless they miss. If they miss and have to try again - then not so fun.
I had a couple of beautiful techs do my last bone marrow. I was o.k. with that.
Diagnosed 11 May 2011 (100% FiSH, 155% PCR)
with b2a2 BCR-ABL fusion transcript coding for the 210kDa BCR-ABL protein
Sprycel: 20 mg per day - taken at lights out with Quercetin and/or Magnesium Taurate
6-8 grams Curcumin C3 complex.
2015 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
2016 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
March 2017 PCR: 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
June 2017 PCR: "undetected"
September 2017 PCR: "undetected"
New Member
Posted 08 December 2011 - 04:56 AM
My BMB at diagnosis was terrible (in the hip, they tried twice I couldn't walk for several days). Apparently it is quite common at diagnosis because your marrow is full of granulates (? not sure of the name in english) so it is very hard to extract the marrow.
I had my 3 months BMB few weeks ago I was quite terrified because of this first experience. They did it in the breast bone and I almost had no pain plus no pain at all after the aspiration, it was a totally different thing. I think it might be also much better than first time for you
Plus it is normal to check the bone marrow regularly during the first year
Good luck!
Pierre
New Member
Posted 08 December 2011 - 10:52 AM
Thanks everybody,
I hope it won't be as painful like my BMB at dx.
Dina
Guest_billronm_*
Posted 08 December 2011 - 11:36 PM
Dear Dina,
My first onc did a bmb and a bma the day of my dx. My new onc who I got 3 weeks after dx has never done a bmb or bma and it's been 4 years now. Since then I found out that a lot of oncs sedate you or knock you out completely. After that first one I said never again If I wasn't put out I would just refuse the test. Some people can handle it better or maybe had a better onc than I did but I started going into shock after that bmb. If I were you I would call my onc and ask what options you have as far as sedation goes. If he doesn't sedate his patients ask him where you could have it done sedated. I'm sure there is someplace close by that you can have it done. Sincerely Billie
Advanced Member
Posted 10 December 2011 - 07:30 PM
Hi Billie: I had a BMB right in the beginning as the Oncologist thought it was a possible Leukemia from my blood work, then I had to do it every 3 months until I achieved a CCyr, then it was just PCR testing from that point on.
The first BMB was terrible, and after that he did admit I was a tough stick. I started to get sedation with IV Versed, and he put some Demerol into the drip with the Versed. Then it was only the after pain when it all wore off.
My clinical trial was the worst. I would go to the doctors office, and they did it in the office with only Lidocaine. He was a old doctor, and do not think he had the strength to get into the bone. He had to struggle to ge it done, and he had the nerve to tell me I was just high strung because I could not tolerate the pain. He used to knock my back out on me everytime. I started to just bring my rib belt with me to put on after the procedure, because we were in N.Y. We had to go from the doctors office to the hospital to pick up my STI-571 at that time. Then we took a taxi to the train station, and then the long ride home on the train to N.J. Shore. Plus it was winter, and a bad winter that year. They refused to do my BMB over at the hospital under sedation, something to do with the protocol of the Clinical Trial etc. etc.
Everyone is different in how they get it done. I really think it depends on the doctor and his skills also.
Susan
Guest_billronm_*
Posted 10 December 2011 - 09:11 PM
Dear Susan,
Some of the things they do to us is downright barbaric. I wonder if these Docs. would do the procedure if it was a family member. That offer I made you a couple months ago still stands send me an e-mail if you're interested.Do you or anybody else on this site take Blood Pressure Medicine? I'm on my 3rd different one now.
I'm on lisinopril 20mg. I've been on it a week now the first couple days were okay then I got nauseated, & the big D and I'm so tired Plus I have a bad cough now. I read that bp meds and cholestorol meds can cause a cough. I have a chronic cough just from my Barets Disease, I have advair that I only use when I have to. I think I might have to take it on a regular basis. It's so embarassing., We tried raising the bed for the reflux but that threw my neck out of whack. Certain foods will cause me to cough in the middle of the night. It isn't any certain food just sometimes the reflux says lets keep billie up all night she had a cheese sandwich and didn't grill it! I have to sleep sitting up in my recliner all night when that happens. I can't eat, Ron bought me baby food yesterday, Now I know why babies don't want to eat. I'm so sick of pills but I have to take them. I'm running on 1 carotid artery the othere one is 100% blocked and inoperable that's why I have to take plavix,aspirin, and lipitor! Forgive me everyone I just feel whiny tonight. Susan we are leaving for Fla. next Saturday for a couple months. We'll probably be back late Feb, or early march. Planning to go away for a couple months is hard. Plus I have to take care of all my son's needs before I go. Make sure we have enough meds.Etc.Etc. That's when the old bp goes up. Ron had to get his drivers lisence picture taken and go over the car and throw some things in a duffle bag and he's good to go! And put his metal detector in the car. Grrr. I have to try on everything i am taking I can be a size 10 one day and a size 18 the next. And all the notifications to everyone here in case they need me. But I've grown up. Nobody was ever here when I needed them. I was on my own for many years. So I'm giving everyone the wrong address and phone nos.Hee Hee. I've been talking to my lawyer and she knows what to do just in case a shark eats me. But you know me the shark will bite my baby toe and spit me out! Once we get in the car and pull out of the driveway headed for Sanibel I'll remember a bunch of things I forgot. Men just aren't like that they make sure the gas tank is full and we're on our way. After about 10 hours driving time I put it out of my mind too! And concentrate on the blizzard we're driving right into. Never Fails. lol Billie
Advanced Member
Posted 11 December 2011 - 01:56 PM
Hi: Have a great trip to Florida. My husband is on Lisinopril, and only 5mg. He has a cough all the time, and I have had coughs from previous BP meds. You never know what these things cause. They fix one thing, and give you a different problem. I have the GERD problem also, but the Nexium pretty much takes care of it. I get breakthrough Heartburn with certain foods or the amount of food I ingest. Hope you can still log on to see what is going on.
I am still hurting to type, but I just go slow. Relax and enjoy yourself for the few months our away.
Susan
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