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Is Essential Thrombocythemia a blood disease or cancer?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 12 hours ago | Replies (114)Comment receiving replies
@cec2
Hello,
Thank you for posting.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
The gene mutation -JAK2 -causes the high or higher platelets. This gene mutation is not a mutation that is directly inherited or acquired at birth. It happens later in life for reasons not clearly understood at this time.
Platelets can go up and down a bit. They can also remain stable at the level they are. So, they are not guaranteed to go up. Mine have gone down a bit in the past year.
You are right about the standard protocol. Aspirin to prevent clotting and the resulting issues, and HU to control platelets if levels get too high. Some people, like myself, are very interested in natural and organic ways to heal, especially since HU is a chemotherapy drug, albeit one that can be taken by mouth, and is generally well-tolerated. For me, this is not an either or situation, but more, what can I learn here, and what else can be done, as I want to be as healthy as possible. And with high platelets, definitely heed your doc's advice. You don't want to have a stroke, or heart problems, etc.
If you have any questions, let me know.
Replies to "@cec2 Hello, Thank you for posting. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. The gene mutation -JAK2..."
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@gigi05
Thank you for your reply. That's what my oncologist told me as well.
Of course we all want to be as healthy as possible. I'm all for natural. I don't like to take any meds unless absolutely necessary (which sometimes they are). As far as I know, I've only ever taken two Tylenol tablets in my life, and those were on different days. If I have a cold I take nothing for it, as I think it will be better in a week or so with or without meds. I even think a fever, unless it gets dangerously high, helps our bodies fight infection.
I don't want to have to take HU, but if my doctor advises it, I will (presuming I can tolerate it), because I certainly don't want a stroke or heart attack. I'm taking the low-dose coated aspirin at present.
From what my doctors have told me and from what I've read, I'm not sure there is any natural remedy for ET, though, when the platelet count gets into the danger zone. I wish there was. Of course healthy habits are just as important for us as for those who don't have ET. I don't think anyone would disagree on that!
Best wishes to you for good health and God bless.