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After 3 months on hydroxyurea, I am going to ask to switch to Besremi
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Oct 17 7:43pm | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
After visiting the hematologist at Fred Hutch in Seattle, she sent me a letter informing me that she had discussed my situation with my hematologist in Portland. They agreed to put me on Besremi and have me do a bone marrow biopsy, which she said is standard procedure for confirming a PV diagnosis and for determining whether there is any myelofibrosis.
Replies to "After visiting the hematologist at Fred Hutch in Seattle, she sent me a letter informing me..."
Hi @eferret. Sounds like you have a good team behind you with your local hematologist and your 2nd opinion from a doctor in Seattle. They both concurred with the switch to Besremi to see if you have better success with reducing your hematocrit levels.
Having the bone marrow biopsy (BMBX) will allow your doctor to check the over all health of your bone marrow.
Myelofibrosis can cause scarring of the bone marrow and impact its ability to function properly and create healthy blood products. It is one of the myeloproliferative disorders in the same group with PV and ET. A bone marrow biopsy is necessary to confirm myelofibrosis. So your doctor(s) are being very thorough. The bone marrow biopsy is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis. Do you have any questions about the BMBX? When do you have your first Besremi treatment?
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Hello, many people choose not to have the bone marrow test. PV can be diagnosed solely from your Jak2 and your labs. The treatment is the same. Many people are in disbelief, being healthy and getting the diagnosis and need the confirmation from the test and that’s fine, BUT it’s a very expensive test and medical facilities are still a business. Two medications and phlebotomies are the only known treatment for PV. So take a breath to decide. I have PV for almost two years now and my doctor said he was fine with no biopsy. Good luck!