After a routine blood test my GP was concerned by high haemoglobin and haemocrit levels. She got me to do another test and my haemoglobin wasn’t as high but still not normal. She also tested my EPO (hormone from kidneys which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.)That was 3. Apparently all of this is a red flag for possible polycythemia vera which is a chronic blood cancer. I’ve had yet another test for a mutation in the JAK2 gene.
i feel like my world has stopped. Even though I’m not ‘sick’ I’ve had take time off work as I can barely sleep and my appetite is gone due to the stress. I feel ashamed that I’m not more resilient. If the test is positive then this a manageable condition but it does have the possibility of turning into leukaemia further down the track. When I asked the GP directly if she thought there was actually a real chance I have this she said yes, there is. Gulp.
i’m so angry. I’m in my. 40’s and have so much to do. Especially travel. How will I get travel insurance now? Now I’ll have to get blood tests all the time and either have blood taken or take medication. There are interferon drugs for this condition that can help to stop progression but one if the side effects is depression and I’m worried I’ll be barred from them because of my mental health issue. I’m just so angry.
OMG the the typo in the thread title 🤦♀️