Anyone want to talk about Myelofibrosis?

Like you, I was also diagnosed in 2024. My diagnosis, MF, was confirmed by a bone marrow biopsy, pretty much the gold standard for this disease. From there I was referred to an MPN specialist. I would advise you seek out a specialist as our disease is rare and takes someone with advanced knowledge.
I am early in the disease and currently on daily baby aspirin with no significant symptoms.

Hi ideachaser1,
Thank you for your reply. I would really like have a true myeloid proliferative neoplasms specialist, but I am locked into a Senior Advantage Plan until January 1, 2025, as I chose an Advantage Medicare Plan when I just turned 65 pretty recently. I do not feel my current O/H is a specialist in MPNs. Six days ago, she did just send me a memo that I could take baby aspirin after earlier sending me a memo not to take baby aspirin. I never took the Hydrea she prescribed for me on January 10, 2025 at my first visit with her. So I have been taking one baby aspirin daily for six days just fine and I still do not have any symptoms.
I am glad to hear you are doing well.

Like you, I was also diagnosed in 2024. My diagnosis, MF, was confirmed by a bone marrow biopsy, pretty much the gold standard for this disease. From there I was referred to an MPN specialist. I would advise you seek out a specialist as our disease is rare and takes someone with advanced knowledge.
I am early in the disease and currently on daily baby aspirin with no significant symptoms.

Hi,
I am not sure if I have ET or myelofibrosis as my oncologist/hematologist seems to not even be too sure. Honestly, I think I really need to change doctors and start all over on all this which just started for me from blood lab work in mid December 2024. I have no symptoms still but do have elevated platelets for which now she decided I could take baby aspirin. I do have some undetermined form of non painful arthritis for about five years now with two very enlarged non painful joints in my right ring finger and right sterno-clavicular joint which other docs have just said is arthritis and blown it off. I have no other health issues and consider myself very healthy. My chief complaint when I first went to doctor (using this new Medicare Advantage Plan I chose when I recently turned 65) December 16, 2024 was to determine a diagnosis with possible treatment plan for my strange big joints but that has not happened. Instead I am told I have rare blood cancer! My question is how others have been diagnosed and feel comfortable that they have an accurate diagnosis of these conditions. Personally, I do not feel comfortable at all but feel more needs to be checked before plugging in a diagnostic code for me. Thanks for listening and anything you feel comfortable sharing about your experience.

Hi @dunewalker. Welcome to Connect. Your @name brings images of walking along some of my favorite beaches…which I’m missing right now while looking at the several new inches of out my window! 😅

Having lymphoma and myelofibrosis is a double whammy impacting your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. The HU, will also lower some of your blood numbers, including those all important lymphocytes which fight cancer, foreign viruses and bacteria. So extra precautions can be helpful when trying to stay healthy

You’re enjoying an active and happy lifestyle and that’s really a key to staying positive. Avoiding exposure to infections is a big part of staying healthy when our immune systems are compromised. Not always that easy when we want to be out and about with friends, staying involved.
I mask when out in crowded public places such as grocery stores, meetings, elevators…and intimate settings with family, especially with children around. Opting for less busy times at restaurants is helpful and also avoiding buffet type settings where masses of people have touched the serving spoons or a risk of the food not being kept at an optimal temperature.
I frequently wash my hands and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer when I can’t. I’m not OCD about it, but if I’m touching door knobs, shopping cart handles, raw food packages, that type of thing, I’ll do a little squirt. Also avoid touching your face is another trick to avoid getting sick.

For UTIs, those things are pesky. I’m sure you already know to drink plenty of water daily. I find that I can drink room temperature water in much greater volumes than if it’s iced. It’s processed easier by the body too. I have a friend plagued by UTIs and at her doctor’s recommendation she’s now taking supplements from https://uqora.com/
Knock on wood, this seems to be helping her. So you might want to look into those products.

And of course, a healthy diet of fresh veggies & fruits high in antioxidants along with lean proteins and avoiding excess sugar helps our body stay in fighting mode. Gut health is also a huge factor in our overall well-being. Try adding a cup of fat free, culture rich, Greek yogurt daily. Avoid the fruit added type because of the large amount of sugar. You can add your own fruit or a small dab of fig jam, blueberry preserves, etc., to make it more palatable.

And lastly, spend time walking those glorious dunes in the fresh air and sunshine! Are you near the ocean?

I’m a 83-year-old female, diagnosed with lymphoma and myelofibrosis (JAK2 mutation) in June of 2024. I’ve been taking hydroxyurea (oral chemo) and continue to live an active and happy life.
I do tire easily and have had two infections already in 2025 (UTI and sinus) so doctor added Vitamin D to my other meds.
Should I be doing more to prevent further infections?

Hi,
I am not sure if I have ET or myelofibrosis as my oncologist/hematologist seems to not even be too sure. Honestly, I think I really need to change doctors and start all over on all this which just started for me from blood lab work in mid December 2024. I have no symptoms still but do have elevated platelets for which now she decided I could take baby aspirin. I do have some undetermined form of non painful arthritis for about five years now with two very enlarged non painful joints in my right ring finger and right sterno-clavicular joint which other docs have just said is arthritis and blown it off. I have no other health issues and consider myself very healthy. My chief complaint when I first went to doctor (using this new Medicare Advantage Plan I chose when I recently turned 65) December 16, 2024 was to determine a diagnosis with possible treatment plan for my strange big joints but that has not happened. Instead I am told I have rare blood cancer! My question is how others have been diagnosed and feel comfortable that they have an accurate diagnosis of these conditions. Personally, I do not feel comfortable at all but feel more needs to be checked before plugging in a diagnostic code for me. Thanks for listening and anything you feel comfortable sharing about your experience.

My husband was diagnosed with myelofibrosis about a month and half ago. During a blood work up he had blood cells showing crazy cells and was sent to oncologist and hematologists, which sent him for a bone marrow biopsy. This did confirm he has myelofibrosis. I think when you get to the right specialist in this rare blood disease you will get the right answers and it will help you understand what is happening. I think sooner than later.

Hi,
I am not sure if I have ET or myelofibrosis as my oncologist/hematologist seems to not even be too sure. Honestly, I think I really need to change doctors and start all over on all this which just started for me from blood lab work in mid December 2024. I have no symptoms still but do have elevated platelets for which now she decided I could take baby aspirin. I do have some undetermined form of non painful arthritis for about five years now with two very enlarged non painful joints in my right ring finger and right sterno-clavicular joint which other docs have just said is arthritis and blown it off. I have no other health issues and consider myself very healthy. My chief complaint when I first went to doctor (using this new Medicare Advantage Plan I chose when I recently turned 65) December 16, 2024 was to determine a diagnosis with possible treatment plan for my strange big joints but that has not happened. Instead I am told I have rare blood cancer! My question is how others have been diagnosed and feel comfortable that they have an accurate diagnosis of these conditions. Personally, I do not feel comfortable at all but feel more needs to be checked before plugging in a diagnostic code for me. Thanks for listening and anything you feel comfortable sharing about your experience.