Ask the Expert: Polycythemia Vera

In this Ask the Expert web chat, Ruben A. Mesa, MD, provides an overview of polycythemia vera and answered our questions. Dr. Mesa is a medical oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. He is committed to improving therapies and quality of life for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis. Click here (www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/mesa-ruben-a-m-d/bio-00083629) for Dr. Mesa’s bio.

[@angelaw886]

Very good information

[@jeanwarech4982]

Hi Dr! I have ET Hydrea failed me, I take Anagrelide 0.5mg 3 in am and 3 in pm. I’ve had it for 5 yrs now. My Dr never told me anything about my disease process. Not one thing! I did my own research and I found you. I listen to every lecture you do. I don’t even know if I have Jak 2 or CALR! I’m disappointed in my Dr. I am switching now. Bone marrow bx never done! Thanx so much for all your info. I wish you were my Dr! God Bless You, Sir!

[@juditholeary5341]

Thank you so much for information on this disease.

[@rosemarieducharme9788]

Thank you,I was dx after several months of double vision and Tia ,I'm on Hydrea,monthly CBC and levels show that I'm maintaining my Pvt.But I m always very tired ,and that's something my family doesn't understand,so it was so nice to open tutu be and find some medical advice,thanks so much.

[@chrisoliver9442]

Thank you for your honesty Ruben. ! You're very informative i enjoy your input because I also have polythycemia vera i was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago !

[@miss.conduct8083]

Im sure this comment will get burried-also, not to be lost on the age of this video, I feel as though Im grasping at the short straw. My question for you doctor is, have you seen any Lyme Disease patients who later go on to develop this? I've just discovered this as an actual diagnosis in my medical chart!? My mind is blown! Thank you so much in advance.

[@ladymuck2]

Can you have double jak2 mutations and not get sick? What if you feel sick, have the mutations but your blood count is just under the cut off point for 'high' counts?

[@cassandracampbell7145]

What does it mean to have high platelets?

[@josevelazquezguardiola9430]

Does anyone have any idea how long i takes after phlebotomy until the headaches stop? I had a 58% Hct and an 18.8 Hgb prior to it.

[@abdullahkhansafi4500]

Jose Velazquez Guardiola hi

[@deborahmclaughlin7862]

Does hydroxyurea effect your memory

[@jeanwarech4982]

I now have a new hemoc Dr, He called me a platelet millionaire. Lol 😆! Anyway, my platelets were too low with 6 Anagrelide a day. He lowered me to 4 a day. I Get check again on December 10th. My platelets were 99,000! Hopefully, I’m in better hands now.

[@dhillonranaa]

Thanks for this video ! Recently I found I got PV . I'm just taking baby aspirin. Doing some Yoga specially inhaling lots oxygen at morning. Looks like I feel more energetic than before. Doctor want to me test blood every month after month my report almost normal. My question is that yoga really help that ? And if my blood report are normal than polycythemia Vera will go away or will stay whole life with me ?

[@2brosyo952]

R Dhillon the dr answered your question towards the end of the video.

[@anshumanpati7773]

How are you now sir ??

[@victoriagrissom7161]

Does it help to cut out red meat and iron rich foods? My mother’s hemotocrit is 61...

[@ronniegeorge8638]

I have been diagnosed with polycythemia vera and I have in both of my lower limbs my left leg is 28% flow through arteries and veins three arteries completely plugged and the highest 27.8% on vans and I'm still being treated with phlebotomies and aspirin I need to find an oncologist or a blood doctor at knows what they're doing please help

[@natelindsey7778]

How are you doing now

[@michaeloloughlinsr.7809]

I recently lay had a total knee they found Out my white count was 22000 and I have chronic leukemia I need some advice for treatment going forward I am a 60 year male with a 3 year old I would love to live 40 years more my dad passed at 85!!- year ago from this

[@nimblejack]

85 is above average lifespan for both male and female even in the most developed countries. were you saying to pass away at this age was exceptionally tragic because of his age?

[@adambaker4277]

I have 2 polycythaemia l have 2 venesection now and feel better lol

[@royrubba]

My wife was diagnosed with PV 16 years ago. what we didn't know at the time was the tenants that lived in our condo before us was using the place as a methamphetamine lab for yrs. could this have been the cause of my wife's ailment? we are still living there for 17yrs. also my thyroid is totally non functional

[@natelindsey7778]

How is she now?

[@royrubba]

@@natelindsey7778 Sadly she lost her battle to PV in 2021.

[@natelindsey7778]

@@royrubba I’m so sorry to hear that :/

[@Dana-ml7sy]

Is it absolutely necessary to have a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose PV, is there an alternative?

[@brendahoupt6373]

I was diagnosed from blood work.

[@angelaw886]

​@@brendahoupt6373what showed up on your bloodwork?

[@brendahoupt6373]

Dr said platelets are indicating pv I don't have insurance and did not go back . He suggested a chemo pill and baby aspirin to thin my blood I take a baby aspirin every night .

[@angelaw886]

@@brendahoupt6373 you can apply for disability and Medicaid if you are in America. Then maybe you could have what you need for meds.

[@dianajunge5653]

Thank you so much for the info: Im a 47 y.o. Female, diagnosed when I was 16. My father's and brother's went into remission. My mother has Lupus, and on top of the PV I have mixed connective tissues disease, and have Anti phospholipid antibody syndrome, i have averaged clots about one q. 2 yrs even though INR is kept at 3.5-4. What are the final stages of this disease, Im way beyoungd anything you described, and would like to know what to expect. Thank you, Thank you. YHWH bless you.

[@hiero4515]

Hai diana.. How's your health today?? I diagnosed this too.. So would you Like to share how to treatment this??

[@natelindsey7778]

@@hiero4515 how are you doing now?

[@anaestrada3353]

Diana ako rin na diagnos nang polycythemia vera turoan mo nman ako kong anong gamot iniinom kc umiinom ako nang hydroxiurea umitim yong kamay at paa ko

[@jaslady22]

What gets me is I'd be sent for blood letting (Phlebotomy) rather than fixing my thyroid! And so the thyroid would be ignored and I'd be sent into anemia etc. etc. Bad enough I had my throat cut for a PARA tumor and the other 3 para glands each biopsied, left with large clips in my neck and side effects from low calcium as one goes from hyper para to hypo para thyroidism instantly! PTH and D3 and Calcium and magnesium and potassium which tends to tank to the point in the ER needing 2-3 bags! Sorry, not going to accept a polycythemia diagnosis without demanding thyroid meds first!

[@neerudukishore5359]

My father attacked an polycythemia Vera is there any solution to complete recovery and how long my father can alive now his age is 58.

[@hendrix8715]

I have the same question my dads 56 just diagnosed so looking for any info i can get about this its driving me insane

[@natelindsey7778]

@@hendrix8715 how’s he doing now?

[@kathyspriggs2604]

They told me I didnt have cancer. Is this a cancer or not I got P V but every thing I see read or do can't seem to find out or not. Or do I have a cancer. "Or not" Does some people get cancer with this disease.Or do we all have cancer with PV or not!!

[@lisamelisa7719]

PV is blood cancer Maybe they meant you did not have cancer in another organ

[@HarbansSingh-fl5pg]

Hindi explain krain

[@victoriagrissom7161]

Does it help to cut out red meat and iron rich foods? My mother’s hemotocrit is 61...

[@nicodemusr.a8938]

Too much! For normal about 39-46 (woman)

[@victoriagrissom7161]

Does it help to cut out red meat and iron rich foods? My mother’s hemotocrit is 61...