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Polycythemia Vera: Just been diagnosed

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Aug 26 12:21pm | Replies (395)
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@mordonmordon

I have seen my family doctor who sent me for more bloodwork. I seen a specialist who didn’t have my test results yet. I called him again on Friday, cannot get an appointment til Dec 21. My family doctor thinks it’s Polycythemia Vera because of my high red blood cell count and numbness in my legs. I’ve had one phlebotomy so far.

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Replies to "I have seen my family doctor who sent me for more bloodwork. I seen a specialist..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 3, 2022

Mayo Clinic has some information on Polycythemia Vera that might be helpful.
-- Polycythemia vera - Symptoms and Causes:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/symptoms-causes/syc-20355850

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Dec 6, 2022

Hi @mordonmordon. Recently, while visiting my hematologist/oncologist for followup appts, my blood work showed an increasing upward trend in my hemaglobin and hematocrit over the past year. One of his questions suprised me when he asked my husband (who was with me) if I snored or if I have sleep apnea!

What?? Well, giggles ensued after I told my doctor that I wasn’t aware of any snoring, but my husband offered up that the EPA should be called in to intervene with noise abatement. Color me chagrined!! Haha.

Anyway, the short of the matter is I have an appt coming up for an overnight oxemitry test to see if I indeed have sleep apnea. Being deprived of oxygen, the body calls for more red blood cells. So not every case of elevated RBC or Hemocrit is Polycythemia Vera.

Do you know if you have sleep apnea?

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julesc | @julesc | Jan 31, 2023

Have you learned anything new? I’m at early investigative stage and scared. My red blood cells are high as is my B-12.

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