Uncertain about the future Will, a 62 year old self-employed architect lives in Somerset. I was diagnosed with PV in 2010 when a swelling came up on my arm which was recognised by my GP as a haematoma or internal bleeding. A blood test showed that my haematocrit level was 50% higher than it should…
My name is Helen and I was originally diagnosed with ET in October 1991 when I was 39 years old. It had been a fairly hot summer and I was suffering from increasing pain and discomfort in my feet. The only way of relieving the pain was using what my children referred to as Mum’s…
I am now 65 and was diagnosed with PV in 2005 when I was 57. I had a Well Woman blood test which showed my red blood count was close to 55 yet the previous year the counts had been normal. I was referred to the Radcliffe Hospital and during the consultation I had my…
Sally writes I had no serious illness before PV. I was asthmatic but well controlled with Milflonil and it never stopped my very active life, breeding, competing at top level with horses and ponies , and being a busy professional artist and sculptor. Diagnosis in 2010 was a life changing shock. That same year I…
Having previously lived in Spain, I am now resident in a beautiful part of France, with views of the Pyrenees in the Ariege. We had just signed for the house, and returned to Spain, when I started to get incredible itching after a shower. I knew our local doctor would say: ‘Well, it could be…
At 59 I was looking forward to retirement and all I was going to do. It was summer term at the college where I worked and we were busy doing invigilating for all the exams. Three times in a week my ankles swelled up after standing for long periods. The third time it happened I…
I was first diagnosed with polycythemia vera when I was 46. I am now 74.The discovery of the disease was quite by accident, although I had not been feeling very well. I was due to have a minor operation and a blood test was taken. It was found that my blood was quite thick and…
2011 was nearly at an end and my thoughts were turning to Christmas shopping. I was considering just sending money or vouchers as the thought of Christmas shopping filled me with horror for once. I had been feeling unwell for some time and was in the midst of visiting and re-visiting my GP, to have…