What Is Polycythemia Vera?
What Is Polycythemia Vera?
Your Guide to
Polycythemia Vera
Another test you may need to get is a bone marrow biopsy. It can tell you if your bone marrow is making too many blood cells.
For this test, your doctor will take samples usually from the back of your hip bone. It's an "outpatient" procedure, which means you don't have to stay overnight in a hospital. You can get it done in an outpatient clinic, a hospital, or in your doctor's office. You lie down on a table and get a shot that will numb the area. Then your doctor uses a needle to remove a small amount of bone marrow.
Before your appointment, it's a good idea to make a list of questions. You might want to ask:
Polycythemia vera is different from person to person. If you don't have many symptoms, your doctor might decide not to start treatment yet. Instead, he or she will monitor your condition.
If you do need treatment, the goal is to lower the number of red blood cells and prevent blood clots and other complications. Your options include:
Phlebotomy. This is often the first treatment for polycythemia vera. In this therapy, your doctor removes blood from your vein. It's a lot like donating blood. The goal is to lower the number of your blood cells. After it's done, your blood will be thinner and flow better. You'll usually feel better, too. Some symptoms will get better, such as headaches or dizziness.
Your doctor will decide how often you need phlebotomy. For some people, it's the only treatment needed for many years.
Low-dose aspirin. Aspirin keeps platelets from sticking together. That cuts your chance of getting blood clots, which can cause heart attacks or strokes. Most people with polycythemia vera get this treatment.
Medicine to lower blood cells. If you need more than phlebotomy and aspirin, your doctor may prescribe hydroxyurea, a pill that lowers your red blood count and relieves symptoms.
Another drug, interferon alfa, helps the immune system cut back on making blood cells. The drug ruxolitinib (Jakafi) is approved for use in people who don't respond to hydroxyurea or cannot tolerate its side effects.
Itch relief. If you have a lot itching that doesn't go away, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines.
Polycythemia Vera
Getting a Diagnosis continued...
Your Guide to
Polycythemia Vera
- What Is Polycythemia Vera?
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Getting a Diagnosis
- Questions for Your Doctor
- Treatment
- Taking Care of Yourself
- What to Expect
- Getting Support
Another test you may need to get is a bone marrow biopsy. It can tell you if your bone marrow is making too many blood cells.
For this test, your doctor will take samples usually from the back of your hip bone. It's an "outpatient" procedure, which means you don't have to stay overnight in a hospital. You can get it done in an outpatient clinic, a hospital, or in your doctor's office. You lie down on a table and get a shot that will numb the area. Then your doctor uses a needle to remove a small amount of bone marrow.
Questions for Your Doctor
Before your appointment, it's a good idea to make a list of questions. You might want to ask:
- Since I have polycythemia vera, am I at risk for a stroke or heart attack?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- Can polycythemia vera be cured?
- How can I prevent complications?
- How can I ease symptoms?
Treatment
Polycythemia vera is different from person to person. If you don't have many symptoms, your doctor might decide not to start treatment yet. Instead, he or she will monitor your condition.
If you do need treatment, the goal is to lower the number of red blood cells and prevent blood clots and other complications. Your options include:
Phlebotomy. This is often the first treatment for polycythemia vera. In this therapy, your doctor removes blood from your vein. It's a lot like donating blood. The goal is to lower the number of your blood cells. After it's done, your blood will be thinner and flow better. You'll usually feel better, too. Some symptoms will get better, such as headaches or dizziness.
Your doctor will decide how often you need phlebotomy. For some people, it's the only treatment needed for many years.
Low-dose aspirin. Aspirin keeps platelets from sticking together. That cuts your chance of getting blood clots, which can cause heart attacks or strokes. Most people with polycythemia vera get this treatment.
Medicine to lower blood cells. If you need more than phlebotomy and aspirin, your doctor may prescribe hydroxyurea, a pill that lowers your red blood count and relieves symptoms.
Another drug, interferon alfa, helps the immune system cut back on making blood cells. The drug ruxolitinib (Jakafi) is approved for use in people who don't respond to hydroxyurea or cannot tolerate its side effects.
Itch relief. If you have a lot itching that doesn't go away, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines.
