I really enjoy the conversations and support here. I love meeting new people and hearing their own personal stories. Thank you for yours!! I love my family so much and want to make sure I’m doing all I can to make sure I stay as healthy as I can for as long as I can!!❤️
Thank you…just taking it day to day. I’ve had three phlebotomies so far. My levels were 18.5 and 58 before 3rd draw. They started at 21.3 and 68. My ferritin levels were only at 8 before I started. The fatigue and joints aching, have been my biggest side effects. My vision definitely has been affected, but that could just be age. Honestly, since last summer I was thinking all these symptoms were from starting menopause because my periods started to be a bit irregular. Lots of similar symptoms.
I was just diagnosed in April and have had 5 phlebotomies. The crashing headaches stopped after 4 draws. The fatigue and achy joints is still with me and numbers are good, CBC yesterday I was at 12.8. I don't take meds other than a low dose aspirin daily right now. I do take Adderall for my ADHD which I need & it helps.
My oncologist told me at my first visit that I'd not likely need a bone marrow biopsy for a couple/few years. I did ask him about gummies the first visit, at least I believe so, I'll double check that next week when I see him. I like them to help me get better sleep at times, my brain doesn't like to shut off 😉
Hard to rest as a single Mom, I raised my 3 but they're all grown. My grands are 16&14. If at all possible ask for some help from family & friends. I'm blessed with many who help when I need it. My problem was asking.
My girlfriend knows I'm a visual person, she put together a color coded systems with magnets I put on fridge and if I have a purple day (very busy), I have 2-3 blue days following which are essentially resting. I don't like it but the hope is the days of rest needed get fewer and fewer. My idea of not doing much apparently to others is doing a lot 🙃
Good luck, ask away, this is a great group. It takes a village 💪 🙏 ❤️
Great advice from @Lori. OV doesn’t have to define you. Someone else’s advice was that with meds it is very manageable and altho it sounds more defeatist but is not meant as such, you are likely to die with it not from it. Energy levels may some days be impacted, but you can adjust your activities. Sounds like you’re doing well changing your lifestyle - keep on going!
Will the biopsy give a definite answer to pv? My current research says (may) which I think isn't definitive.
I have just added elevated glucose to my labs. I've asked for an earlier appt to discuss philbotomy in hopes of feeling better. I'm just getting confused because I don't have a positive JAK, my spleen and other organs are not inflamed but I do have elevated labs, severe exhaustion, itchy, recent eye issues etc. My checks can get red and look like rosea at times and the heat is just intolerable. I wonder if the bone biopsy would give a definite answer. If not then I suppose it's going to be an educated guess.
I’m mid-forties with ET trending toward PV. My kids are seven and its been really stressful to think about how this will impact our future. I’m also a single mom, and have used gummies to keep the stress down on the past so I’m wondering how things will works once I’m on meds. These meds seem to have quite a few side effects.
Curious, but did everyone do a bone marrow biopsy before official PV diagnosis?
My official PV diagnosis came after blood tests confirmed by positive JAK2 result.. No bone marrow biopsy needed.. This was a little over 2 years ago.. I had 4 phlebotomies and was immediately put on hydroxyurea which I still take every day.. I am one of the “lucky” ones in that I have tolerated the HU with little to no side effects…
Great advice from @Lori. OV doesn’t have to define you. Someone else’s advice was that with meds it is very manageable and altho it sounds more defeatist but is not meant as such, you are likely to die with it not from it. Energy levels may some days be impacted, but you can adjust your activities. Sounds like you’re doing well changing your lifestyle - keep on going!
Thank you…just taking it day to day. I’ve had three phlebotomies so far. My levels were 18.5 and 58 before 3rd draw. They started at 21.3 and 68. My ferritin levels were only at 8 before I started. The fatigue and joints aching, have been my biggest side effects. My vision definitely has been affected, but that could just be age. Honestly, since last summer I was thinking all these symptoms were from starting menopause because my periods started to be a bit irregular. Lots of similar symptoms.
Are gummies ok to take?? I was a regular marijuana smoker for approximately 20 years, but was afraid that that might have been a cause to my diagnosis and have not smoked since. I don’t miss it, but do get anxious with this new diagnosis. I’m only 48 with kids that are 15 and 11. I worry constantly that this is going to cut my life short which is terrifying.
Great advice from @Lori. OV doesn’t have to define you. Someone else’s advice was that with meds it is very manageable and altho it sounds more defeatist but is not meant as such, you are likely to die with it not from it. Energy levels may some days be impacted, but you can adjust your activities. Sounds like you’re doing well changing your lifestyle - keep on going!
I’m mid-forties with ET trending toward PV. My kids are seven and its been really stressful to think about how this will impact our future. I’m also a single mom, and have used gummies to keep the stress down on the past so I’m wondering how things will works once I’m on meds. These meds seem to have quite a few side effects.
Curious, but did everyone do a bone marrow biopsy before official PV diagnosis?
Thank you for the response…honestly I’ve done so well with not using marijuana that it probable just better to stay away from it… I’m really trying to turn a new leaf when it comes to what I put in my body!! I’m trying to cut out sugars and processed food as much as possible. I don’t really drink alcohol so that one is easy. Hopefully that will help with slowing down any progression! Thank you for your positive words. I’m so happy to hear that you no longer have leukemia…what a relief that must be.
Are gummies ok to take?? I was a regular marijuana smoker for approximately 20 years, but was afraid that that might have been a cause to my diagnosis and have not smoked since. I don’t miss it, but do get anxious with this new diagnosis. I’m only 48 with kids that are 15 and 11. I worry constantly that this is going to cut my life short which is terrifying.
Hi @sap21981. Before you try gummies, make sure you discuss this with your hematologist. It may be perfectly fine to take them but some supplements, including marijuana, gummies, etc., can interfere with some medications. It’s better to be safe and ask a medical professional first. 🙂
I can really appreciate your fear with having this blood condition and the worry about your future for your children. As a mom (or dad) it’s terrifying thinking you won’t be here for your kids! No matter how old they get they still need their parents.
My advice, after surviving a very aggressive form of leukemia, is to try and rework your perspective to accept that you now have a condition that impacts your life but it doesn’t have to define it! This isn’t going to take you out anytime soon and you’ve just started treatment. There are options ahead of you for treatment for a good long time. We all live with the possibility of some freak accident, like being hit by a bus! But if we lived with that level of fear daily, we’d never leave the house. ☺️
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I really enjoy the conversations and support here. I love meeting new people and hearing their own personal stories. Thank you for yours!! I love my family so much and want to make sure I’m doing all I can to make sure I stay as healthy as I can for as long as I can!!❤️
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI was just diagnosed in April and have had 5 phlebotomies. The crashing headaches stopped after 4 draws. The fatigue and achy joints is still with me and numbers are good, CBC yesterday I was at 12.8. I don't take meds other than a low dose aspirin daily right now. I do take Adderall for my ADHD which I need & it helps.
My oncologist told me at my first visit that I'd not likely need a bone marrow biopsy for a couple/few years. I did ask him about gummies the first visit, at least I believe so, I'll double check that next week when I see him. I like them to help me get better sleep at times, my brain doesn't like to shut off 😉
Hard to rest as a single Mom, I raised my 3 but they're all grown. My grands are 16&14. If at all possible ask for some help from family & friends. I'm blessed with many who help when I need it. My problem was asking.
My girlfriend knows I'm a visual person, she put together a color coded systems with magnets I put on fridge and if I have a purple day (very busy), I have 2-3 blue days following which are essentially resting. I don't like it but the hope is the days of rest needed get fewer and fewer. My idea of not doing much apparently to others is doing a lot 🙃
Good luck, ask away, this is a great group. It takes a village 💪 🙏 ❤️
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsSorry typing slip OV = PV ..
Will the biopsy give a definite answer to pv? My current research says (may) which I think isn't definitive.
I have just added elevated glucose to my labs. I've asked for an earlier appt to discuss philbotomy in hopes of feeling better. I'm just getting confused because I don't have a positive JAK, my spleen and other organs are not inflamed but I do have elevated labs, severe exhaustion, itchy, recent eye issues etc. My checks can get red and look like rosea at times and the heat is just intolerable. I wonder if the bone biopsy would give a definite answer. If not then I suppose it's going to be an educated guess.
My official PV diagnosis came after blood tests confirmed by positive JAK2 result.. No bone marrow biopsy needed.. This was a little over 2 years ago.. I had 4 phlebotomies and was immediately put on hydroxyurea which I still take every day.. I am one of the “lucky” ones in that I have tolerated the HU with little to no side effects…
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you…just taking it day to day. I’ve had three phlebotomies so far. My levels were 18.5 and 58 before 3rd draw. They started at 21.3 and 68. My ferritin levels were only at 8 before I started. The fatigue and joints aching, have been my biggest side effects. My vision definitely has been affected, but that could just be age. Honestly, since last summer I was thinking all these symptoms were from starting menopause because my periods started to be a bit irregular. Lots of similar symptoms.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsGreat advice from @Lori. OV doesn’t have to define you. Someone else’s advice was that with meds it is very manageable and altho it sounds more defeatist but is not meant as such, you are likely to die with it not from it. Energy levels may some days be impacted, but you can adjust your activities. Sounds like you’re doing well changing your lifestyle - keep on going!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI’m mid-forties with ET trending toward PV. My kids are seven and its been really stressful to think about how this will impact our future. I’m also a single mom, and have used gummies to keep the stress down on the past so I’m wondering how things will works once I’m on meds. These meds seem to have quite a few side effects.
Curious, but did everyone do a bone marrow biopsy before official PV diagnosis?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you for the response…honestly I’ve done so well with not using marijuana that it probable just better to stay away from it… I’m really trying to turn a new leaf when it comes to what I put in my body!! I’m trying to cut out sugars and processed food as much as possible. I don’t really drink alcohol so that one is easy. Hopefully that will help with slowing down any progression! Thank you for your positive words. I’m so happy to hear that you no longer have leukemia…what a relief that must be.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi @sap21981. Before you try gummies, make sure you discuss this with your hematologist. It may be perfectly fine to take them but some supplements, including marijuana, gummies, etc., can interfere with some medications. It’s better to be safe and ask a medical professional first. 🙂
I can really appreciate your fear with having this blood condition and the worry about your future for your children. As a mom (or dad) it’s terrifying thinking you won’t be here for your kids! No matter how old they get they still need their parents.
My advice, after surviving a very aggressive form of leukemia, is to try and rework your perspective to accept that you now have a condition that impacts your life but it doesn’t have to define it! This isn’t going to take you out anytime soon and you’ve just started treatment. There are options ahead of you for treatment for a good long time. We all live with the possibility of some freak accident, like being hit by a bus! But if we lived with that level of fear daily, we’d never leave the house. ☺️
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions