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MGUS with Polycythemia Vera (PV)

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: May 6, 2023 | Replies (38)
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@colleenyoung

@vnvet, I moved your question about the medical connection between polycythemia vera and agent orange to this discussion where you have already connected with @loribmt on the topic.

Agent Orange has been associated with many blood cancers. But polycythemia vera is not on the list published by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/

This article provided on VA Disabilty Group might be helpful for you. It is discussion veterans with PV
- VA Disability Compensation for Polycythemia Vera https://vadisabilitygroup.com/va-disability-compensation-for-polycythemia-vera/

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative (MPN) disease. However, as the article discusses, PV and MPNs aren’t on the list of accepted diseases. But there’s power in numbers and it would be beneficial if you were to contact this advocacy group. CureToday.com.
- Agent Orange’s Possible Link to Rare Cancer Type Sparks Advocacy Efforts https://www.curetoday.com/view/agent-oranges-possible-link-to-rare-cancer-type-sparks-advocacy-efforts

Are you still in treatment hydroxyurea? Do you also require phlebotomies?

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Replies to "@vnvet, I moved your question about the medical connection between polycythemia vera and agent orange to..."
vnvet | @vnvet | Apr 24, 2023

Yes, I take 500mg of hydroxyrea daily but have not required phlebotomies for nearly a year as my blood samples have stabilized between 45 - 50. I see my Oncologist every 3 months now for checkups. While the PV blood chemistry seems to have stabilized, I've experienced an increase in arm bruise marks and skin cancer eruptions on my arms and scalp. I never had any of these problems prior to my service in Vietnam as a combat where I flew low level missions often in Agent Orange sprayed areas as a combat rescue helicopter pilot either landing in or hovering over treated areas where crew exposure to and injestion of the agents was impossible to avoid. It is very difficult for me to believe that there is no connection between Agent Orange exposure and these medical problems I've been experiencing.

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