I believe I had been progressing to PV for some years, as increases in hydrea were not because my platelet count was elevated but because of high hemoglobin. When Hgb couldn’t be controlled with the hydrea, and therapeutic phlebotomies were necessary, those required pre-approval from insurance and that’s when the PV diagnosis was made. There was about a 5 month period of increased hydrea and periodic phlebotomies, then things stabilized, I am in remission and now haven’t needed a phlebotomy since 11/23.

How did you know that you went from ET to PV? Did you have to change medication? Can it be found out thru a blood test or do you have to get another bone marrow biopsy?

Me, neither, and I’ve been on hydroxyurea all but one of almost 24 years.

I did transform to PV last year, but it seems to be a given that we will transform to another MPN over time.

Hi, Hope you are doing well. I have not heard that HU causes myelofibrosis.