Things getting more complicated - need bone marrow biopsy and to see special kidney stone...

I went to see my Urologist yestarday because my kidney stones are back on the right side - one 7mm, one 8mm and multiple tiny scatter ones -those are probably from when they were blasted in November. On the left side, there is one 4mm.  She told me that she doesn't feel comfortable operating on me again since the 3 times she did in July, Oct and Nov I lost a ton of blood - I had dark red urine for 3 days the first time and 8 days each the second and third time. She some people will bleed for a day maybe 2 but she has never seen anyone bleed like me and no other urologist that she has spoken to has either.  I came close to needing a blood transfusion the first time and did need one the last time in November and my hemoglobin and hemacrite are much better but not where they used to be.  My iron and ferritin are good though - each are 100.  I take tons of iron daily.  So, she sent me to my hematologist to see if he can figure out why I bleed and also wants me to see a Kidney stone specialist at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC where I had my gastric bypass  - my urologists office is affiliated with them and send difficult patients to them all the time.

So, I went to my hematologist yestaray afternoon and we went over my history and current labs.  I do have ITP which is low platelets but we don't know why.  After my surgeries, they plummet and then after antibiotics they skyrocket and then drop again.  I had them tested yestarday and normal is 140-400 and I was at 94.  They have gone down as low as 30 in the hospital.

I also have been having low white counts since the summer and we dont' know that is happening either - I was always low normal but never low.  So, now he wants to do a bone marrow biopsy which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.  I am really scared of this test so I asked to be put to sleep and he agreed - they will use the same sedation that they use for Endosopies and colonoscopies.

Then after that, depending on the results, he wants to do some specialized coagulation studies and  sophisticated platelet tests but they need to be done at a special lab that we dont' have locally, so he is also referring me to a specialist at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC - they are also affiliated with that hospital.  So, I guess Columbia will be my home away from home for awhile - I really hoped after all the surgeries I had in 2010-2011 that I wouldn't have to go back there -I spent the entire winter there.

Anyone have a bone marrow biopsy?  What is it like?  I remember my mom having it done when I was much younger and all I remember is her screaming and hearing it all the way down the hall.

Hopefully all this will give them some answers to what is going on with me - I am really tired of feeling like crap.

Hi..I hope you start feeling better soon. I have had a biopsy. They did it in my pelvic bone. I remember it being extremely uncomfortable but not too much pain. It hurt to sit for a few days after it. I only had motrin to help with pain. I had a huge bruise where they inserted the needle for a cpl wks but that was about it. Hope that helps

thanks for the info. THankfully, I have very strong pains that I take all the time - wear a fentanyl patch, and take percocet or dilaudid as needed, so hopefully that will help with the pain

 I have nothing informative to offer... I just wanted to say how sorry I am that your physical issues continue....   You have truly been through the wringer!

Lora

 What a horrible, scary memory!  Surely they'll give you anasthesia.  

they usually just give you a local anestetic for the skin above and a little below but they cnt numb a bone.  I am being put to sleep so I wont feel anything while it is being done and this way it has to be done in the hospital -theyusually just do it in the office.

Sorry you are going through all this, but I am glad they are sending you to a good medical center. Hopefully they will figure it out soon. Keep us posted. I will be praying for you!

 Sending prayers that they find out what is going on. Hugs

You are in my thoughts, and thankfully it sounds like you are receiving top-notch medical attention.  I hope I do not miss your updates to this.

You are smart to ask to be put to sleep (or at least conscious sedation, sounds like that's what you're having). My best friend had a bone marrow biopsy when she was dx with lymphoma and it was extremely painful. They can only numb the skin and soft tissues, not the bone so once they hit bone it's very painful. Trust your gut and let them knock you out as much as possible. Best of luck to you, sounds like quite a process!