LIFE EXPECTANCY WHEN YOU HAVE Polycythemia vera?

"Statistics on survival rates are based on what was occurring at the time the statistics were gathered, compiled, approved, and finally reported. The informations is usually very very old by the time it makes it into the free information on the internet. The chance of your being hit by a car tomorrow is statistically greater than you dying from this disease in 15 years. Don't let the numbers interfere in your life. Talk to your doctor about your concerns." Click here fore more. http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=439959

Untreated, less than 2 years. With treatment, they live an average of 15 to 20 years. Treatment is actually removing blood every other day till the rbc goes down to normal level, then every other month or so to keep it in range. But that causes problems with wbc, so sometimes a chemo drug is used, sometimes and interferon drug is used... Low dose aspirin is also used to help prevent clots.

I have had PV (at least diagnosed when I was 34) and I have been treated for it by hemotologist for over 20 years...I also have a kidney transplant which should have made things worse...my comment/answer is get cbc tests often, stay on top of it..and you will be fine as long as you take care of yourself. My answer may sound loose but know this..I was originally on Hydroxy Urea every day. I hated having to live on a pill...and then I changed my life style..and instead of everyday I took 52 pills in 17 months....and I have now been maintained solely by diet and phlebotomies for 16 years....

Untreated, less than 2 years. With treatment, they live an average of 15 to 20 years. Treatment is actually removing blood every other day till the rbc goes down to normal level, then every other month or so to keep it in range. But that causes problems with wbc, so sometimes a chemo drug is used, sometimes and interferon drug is used... Low dose aspirin is also used to help prevent clots.

"Statistics on survival rates are based on what was occurring at the time the statistics were gathered, compiled, approved, and finally reported. The informations is usually very very old by the time it makes it into the free information on the internet. The chance of your being hit by a car tomorrow is statistically greater than you dying from this disease in 15 years. Don't let the numbers interfere in your life. Talk to your doctor about your concerns." Click here fore more. http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=439959