Hi... My husband was diagnosed with polycythemia vera a number of years ago. He has been on hydroxyuria and gets phlabodimies (I know I am spelling these words wrong) when the dr. feels he needs them. My husband keeps records of his counts every time he goes. His doctor doesn t explain anything to him. The numbers have been within range many times and he still is told he needs to get the phlabodomy. We are concerned that the long term usage of the medication could be dangerous. We would like to get another opinion but all our hematologist /oncologists are in the same group and they won t allow us to change. We are frustrated and don t know what to do or where to turn. We would rather not go out of town. Actually, we did at one point and we felt that the doctor didn t want to get involved once my husbands doctor contacted her. What do you suggest we do? Thank you for your time. P. Watson
Hello and welcome to Chat Doctor, Please do not get disheartened and distressed. Polycythemia is a chronic disease of blood cells. The disease can be controlled, but it cannot be cured permanently. The red blood cell counts have to be kept under control to prevent the complications caused by high blood counts. The aggressive of disease is associated with its complications like occlusion of blood small blood vessels. Occlusion of blood vessels can lead to ischemia, thrombosis and even hemorrhage. Treatment of polycythemia is phlebotomy which involves bleeding of patient to reduced red cell mass. Hy Chat Doctor.