The cytoreductive medications can reduce symptoms in some cases. Hydroxyurea can help with microvascular issues. Jakafi is particularly helpful with pruritis. The interferons can also help reduce symptoms in some cases. Cytoreduction can help with splenomegaly when that is an issue.

One of the more significant difference in in reducing the JAK2 allele burden. The interferons are able to significantly reduce allele burden in some people. Recent evidence shows that Jakafi can have this benefit as well.

My wife is jak2 (pv) but never had high hgb or hct. But platelets were 600 to 700 and all symptoms- sweats, vertigo, red painful hand feet, headaches every day. Jakfi reduced platelets and symptoms. Now sweats once a week. Red hands or feet every morning which clears in an hour but NO pain. No more headaches. No vertigo. Ikealover, is it possible the migraines you get are from MPN and may be helped with jakafi or interferon or even HU(which is inexpensive) ?

peg interferon is more easy to tolerate , since the peg molecule helps by a more gradualy dosage , interferon alone gives you a 'shot' then a few days nothing peg helps to give every day a small one

Interferon eliminated those symptoms for my circle of afflicted family and friends.

Steve, thanks for your input. Always valuable.