Connect
← Return to Essential Thrombocytosis symptoms
Discussion
Essential Thrombocytosis symptoms
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Sep 5 1:54pm | Replies (72)Comment receiving replies
I have had diagnosed thrombocytosis for better than seven years. Caught the high count when I had a blood test done in hospital; treatment has been hydroxyurea and I also take a full size aspirin before bed, chewed. I have blood drawn every three months and hematologist visit every six months. My understanding is they do not know what the cause is; Dr., who is also an oncologist, had DNA done on blood on initial visit and found gene toward leukemia (JAK, I think), but no signs of cancer. The aspirin is something that I have taken for many years and was not prescribed, but my doctor has not said to reduce or discontinue. 700,000+ when found but now are around 400,000 to 530,000. The hydroxyurea is said to be working. If you are not interested in medications, you might discuss it with a professional whether you could donate platelets, if you are on medication this is not allowed, depending on the medication, I suppose. Potential stroke is the rational presented for treatment. I asked if diet could be a potential aid, and was told no.
Replies to "I have had diagnosed thrombocytosis for better than seven years. Caught the high count when I..."
It would be interesting to know if these conditions are male or female dominant or if there are no value differences due to gender.
My brother and I both have the mutation courtesy of the JAK2 which resulted in no signs of cancer. My hemotologist kept repeating, "This is not cancer" over and over. I thank her for that. My platelet count was 1 million and my brother 900000. Hydroxyrea was too hard on my brother but I take it and experience 2 to 3 days of leg pain every week. My platelet count is now at 413 and I think my brother is a bit above that number. My hematologist has a patient who is only seen once a year. I would like to be a once-a-year patient too.
It has actually been thirteen years; unless one counts the "sticky blood" episode at the plasma donation center; which would make it forty years.
Connect
really, no one wants plts with JAK2..and they rebuild so fast, it doesn't really help to "donate" I was diagnosed 1 yr ago plts 500..go up to 650..esp if I have infection like a cold... I take low dose aspirin for now..it they hit 700, I will start on HD... whole thing is kinda scary...no reason to get it other than a mutation..I have identical twin who does NOT have this.