On a similar note - Fatigue, brain fog ( or cognitive impairment), and restless leg syndrome can be caused by iron deficiency. PV -increased RBC production- and regular phlebotomy make iron deficiency worse…and thus those symptoms.

WOW!! now I do not feel so bad! I have brain fog, blurry eyes, and I was not thinking it was related to PV!! glad to know this

Well, I do have some good news: The phlebotomy is helping, my monthly hematocrit is now 49 prior to phlebotomy, and my cognitive issues are easing. Fatigue, itching, and blurry vision in the AM are still problems, but the cognitive relief is real and very much appreciated.

Have you been diagnosed with pv or polycythemia? I believe that you're on to some reasoning with the lack of oxygen transported to our thinker. The reason I question between the two dx's is because pv's typically have a genetic mutation which can produce mutated blood cells including those that transfer oxygen, that being said there are a slew of symptoms we live with but without studys on them they tend not to be recognized. Sort of an orphan illness. Cheers!

Hi Ben,

Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction can be MPN symptoms.
Both chronic inflammation and coagulation issues stemming from MPNs are potential mechanisms behind cognitive issues.

There are some studies that might give you some answers:
https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/ar...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10...

An item from a questionnaire evaluating the symptoms of MPNs includes “Problems with concentration—compared with before my MPD,” which means concentration and memory issues are frequent enough in MPNs:
https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/118/2...

There is also a link between MPNs and dementia, neuroinflammation being a big contributor:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC74...

Also this:
"Fatigue in MPN is common, debilitating and distressing. It affects all aspects of health, wellbeing and life."
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.100...

I hope you get good answers and support.

I am in my early 40s, have a PhD and next to exhaustion and pain, cognitive dysfunction is one of my most difficult symptom to handle. Rest helps a bit, but does not solve it.

You are not alone in this. We just need to make our voices heard.

Best wishes,
Tatiana

The Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (MPN-SAF): International Prospective Validation and Reliability Trial in 402 patients

https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/118/2/401/28465/The-Myeloproliferative-Neoplasm-Symptom-Assessment

Myeloproliferative blood cancers as a human neuroinflammation model for development of Alzheimer’s disease: evidences and perspectives - Journal of Neuroinflammation

https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-020-01877-3

Chorea and Cognitive Impairment in JAK2V617F-Positive Myeloproliferative Disorders: A Case Report and Literature Review

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10817622/

Myeloproliferative blood cancers as a human neuroinflammation model for development of Alzheimer’s disease: evidences and perspectives

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7444051/