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Chronic upper body pain-Is it PV related?
I was recently diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera but am waiting for the bone marrow biopsy results. For the last year and a half, I have had chronic pain in both shoulders, neck, upper chest, and base of my skull. I seem to recall that I read somewhere that this pain could be because of the PV because the blood is thick with red cells and that could cause the pain. I have talked to my Internal Medicine doctor and my hemotologist and they do not think it’s related. Anyone else have this pain?
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While waiting for other members to respond to your question about upper body pain associated with PV, I wanted to welcome you Connect, @vross3734.
I’ve found a number of discussions in the group with members sharing their experiences with assorted pains that they feel are contributed to PV. Too numerous to post for you individually so I’m going to give you the link to the search. Then you can pick and choose what you’d like to read and respond to. Here’s the search for Polycythemia Vera + pain.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Polycythemia%20Vera%20pain&pg=2
You can also find a host of other conversations with our PV members by typing in Polycythemia Vera in the upper search bar!
Since you’re newly diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera, (PV), I’ve posted a couple links below for you with informational articles that you might find helpful in understanding your blood condition.
From Mayo:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/symptoms-causes/syc-20355850
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From Very Well Health:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/polycythemia-vera-disorder-overview-2252550
I see you’re waiting for results of your bone marrow biopsy. This sampling of the marrow from the spongy portion and the liquid portion, will help confirm your diagnosis and give your doctor an overall picture of the health of your bone marrow and its ability to produce healthy blood cells. It can take a week or so for those results to come in. I always get antsy waiting for answers!
This chronic pain must really impact your daily life. I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with that. Do your doctors have any idea what’s causing the pain? Have you had a SED rate blood test done to check for inflammation?