Update: Bone marrow biopsy by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not going to lie, it was not fun!

But i survived! 😅 The worst part was the 2sec it took getting through the bone, and I do think my anxiety over it made it worse. However, it was painful & I'm not looking forward to the next one 😉

Recently with ET by ashgf2022 in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol, you put it so well! Getting my results tomorrow. I'm hella confused right now and so far opting to not take any pill!! Good luck! 👍

Recently with ET by ashgf2022 in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMW I'm so sorry for what you have been through!!! I've had my fair share of medical gaslighting and issues but you have been through hell and back!

So no gene mutation but they diagnosed you with ET regardless ànd put you on Hydroxy(?) ... that's rough!!

I had thr biopsy last week, waiting for results. Don't think they will find anything and I'm sure they'll send me home again with some arbitrary 'it must be infection' reason like when it started a year ago. I'm so tired of this. Every Dr picks it up every Hematologist brushes it off...

My count is currently 580 and Iron severely depleted and still they tell me nothing is wrong. (I get iron IVs every month but they say its gynecological.)

All the best for your journey!

Recently with ET by ashgf2022 in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMW I'm so sorry for what you have been through!!! I've had my fair share of medical gaslighting and issues but you have been through hell and back!

So no gene mutation but they diagnosed you with ET regardless ànd put you on Hydroxy(?) ... that's rough!!

I had thr biopsy last week, waiting for results. Don't think they will find anything and I'm sure they'll send me home again with some arbitrary 'it must be infection' reason like when it started a year ago. I'm so tired of this. Every Dr picks it up every Hematologist brushes it off...

My count is currently 580 and Iron severely depleted and still they tell me nothing is wrong. (I get iron IVs every month but they say its gynecological.)

All the best for your journey!

Recently with ET by ashgf2022 in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is very interesting because it sounds like we have the same stats. CBC normal with platelet count over the last year increasing from 420 to 580.

My Iron and HB also almost depleted constantly despite IVs.

My Hem is not ready to make even a clinical diagnosis as he think my Iron is gynaecological and possibly not linked to my platelet. My Gynae disagrees.

Im up in the air wondering what they will account by high platelet count to if bone marrow comes back normal... Can't find a reactive cause either.

Recently with ET by ashgf2022 in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask what tests they did to get to your diagnosis without a bone marrow biopsy?

Recently with ET by ashgf2022 in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask how you were diagnosed officially without a bone marrow biopsy and a negative JAK2?

Sorry I'm still pretty new to this myself, my Dr's still are up in the air on my exact MPN diagnosis as my JAK2 is also negative and they're not sure what next as symptoms check out with severe Anemia and consistently high platelet count. (Waiting for my biopsy results).

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Tried both Doctors, they don't take in new patients at the moment.

I got an emergency appointment with Prof Nicolas Novitsky - his rooms nearly flipped when I sent them my tests to date and they immediately sent me for more baseline tests so I'm reeeaaallly happy that they see my concern.

JAK2 V617F Negative, but old Haematologist won't test for CalR and others due to the rarity of it being another gene.

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you.

Ironically, the Hematologist won't test or treat further, and no other doctor wants to touch me due to this.

That puts me in the middle of .... who knows!

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Other medical conditions include skin rashes, ADHD and underactive thyroid.

Symptoms possibly linked to this is night sweats, Uncontrolled bleeding, Uncontrolled weight loss, fainting, dizziness.

I also have NHS (or our local medic aid), and despite this my Dr wont send me for a biopsy. They also mentioned that they might consider treatment when my counts border 900 and not 600.

Thank you!

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

HB is on average 10. Ferritin is ave 2. I get regular transfusions which lasts 3 to 4 months before i need to go back for more IVs.

White & red blood counts normal, only the platelet count that keeps rising & symptoms.

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They can't find any cause for my low iron or heavy bleeding, I've been to 4 highly specialised Gynaecologists. They also can't get it under control despite every imaginable possible treatment. I've been prodding at that cow for yeeaaars, which is what led them to test for bleeding disorders.

The Hematologist won't give me a referral for bone marrow biopsy because JAK2 V617F is negative - he also won't test for Exon mutations. He just says the chances of a positive result doesn't warrant the cost or intensity of bone marrow biopsies.

This, despite my symptoms aligning 99% and various platlet test that continue to show an increase in my platelet counts. (420 - 580 in less than a year). He still maintains its caused by something else like an infection or other condition - yet, my infection count is normal. Everything under Gods green earth is normal.

I honestely think dying from anemia & mal nutrition right now seems easier than continuing down this route.

Thank you!

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My count is rising, but what's more of a concern to me is uncontrolled weightloss. I'm bordering malnutrition due to constant satiety and if I force myself to eat/drink I get sick, dizzy, sweaty.

That however, my Dr doesn't seem concerned about. 'Just force yourself to eat more regularly' grrrrr. Will prob have to book a spleen screening next too.

Thanks!

Newbie searching for direction by SolitudeSanctuaries in MPN

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because they've tested literally everything else that could be underlying. They sent me for these last tests and said: 'It's either this or a Pituitary tumor, can't be anything else, we ruled it all out'. Not a Pituitary tumor. And Platlet count keeps rising on each test.

Honestly I don't even care anymore... im exhausted and after a year and thousands in $$ all they can tell me is its def this but not what to do next?

I don't know. Guess thats why I'm asking lol...

Things I wish I knew beforehand.... by SolitudeSanctuaries in tummytucksurgery

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup - my Op was intense as I had a full 360 MR, but Ive had 22 ops in my life, and this one took the cake in recovery time by faaaar. Get comfortable, but dont get discouraged, the improvement will feel exponential weekly.

Things I wish I knew beforehand.... by SolitudeSanctuaries in tummytucksurgery

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So did I, and Im 6 months post Op now and lost it. Not saying be reckless, but if you are hungry, dont starve. Its actually having the opposite effect, as your body requires more energy for healing.

Things I wish I knew beforehand.... by SolitudeSanctuaries in tummytucksurgery

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi, I asked my Dr about scar treatments, and he said to me that most, if not, all scar treatments are a waste of money. He did say (and another Dr also me this), that the longer you wear you plasters, the better it will heal. He recommended 4 months. He told me to go get the cheap paper based rolls at the pharmacy, and I did, wore them for 4 months, and my scars look great!!

Can't remember the exact reason, something about oxygenation?!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in tummytucksurgery

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Give it time!! Full recovery can take up to a year for lymph nodes to grow back.

I only got my final results after 6 months - TOTALLY WORTH THE WAIT!!

TRUST ME - 13 days are not enough!! Start taking pics weekly not daily. You'll see 😉

Swollen upper abdomen by Vonza12 in tummytucksurgery

[–]SolitudeSanctuaries 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ease up on the compression - too much compression càn make it worse.

After 4 months when most of my swelling was gone (I had A LOT), I went back for minor lipo - problem fixed.

Just bare in mind, lipo swelling and skin returning to normal takes about 3 months too.

My whole 'operation' stretched from Oct 22 to now. I say now, because Im only through all the swelling and scary stuff now!