Nervous about bone marrow biopsy

Support wanted

I have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) that has possibly advanced to smoldering myeloma. So my new hematologist wants a bone marrow biopsy asap to get a baseline, because all of my tests have been bloodwork so far. Apparently the cells affected (IgA kappa) can be a more aggressive version of this condition.

If anyone has had this procedure before, what was the pain and recovery like? I’m no stranger to procedures like endoscopy and I’ve had a few surgeries. I feel kind of lost, because the hospital that my doctor usually works at is out of network for my insurance, so I’ve been handed off to a different hospital and their interventional radiology team, who I’ve never met. When I talked to the scheduler, we went over the basic things like not eating after midnight and having someone to drive me that day.

My job also requires me to frequently lift around 30 pounds and up to 50, climb ladders, pushing and pulling flatbeds and pallets, kneeling and bending over, and I’m on my feet my entire shift. I’ve read with a job like that, especially the ladder climbing and lifting, it’s probably better to take 3-5 days off of work.

Posted Aug 28, 2026, 8:52 PM UTC

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