Haematocrit

[Nickyb57]

Does anyone else suffer with brain fog when their Haematocrit levels rise? My head feels much clearer when my level is about 37 but at 40 I feel as if I'm trying to think through cotton wool. My haematologist doesn't think the levels are the cause of this but I do. I'd be interested in others views.

Regards

Nicky

[jane13]

yes, i play bridge and do sudoku and am convinced my performance is linked to my blood counts! I'd be pitching the problem blood counts higher than u - my hct is never as low as 40 - but different lab systems do seem to have slightly different "normal" ranges

[Nickyb57 in reply to jane13]

Thank you, that's very helpful.

[Normski1]

Hi there. Yes, I get the same if my HCT is high. I cannot think straight and I lose words. I have to ask people for the words I mean, they think I'm in my dotage or having a senior moment. I'm 61 I do not feel old and still work. LOL. I also get a tight band across my forehead and as soon as I have venesection I feel the relief. I guess you have to live with these illnesses to know what or how they affect us. I'm a great believer in listening to what my body tells me.

[Nickyb57 in reply to Normski1]

Thank you, it's reassuring to know others have the same reaction. Now to persuade my haematologist that it's the Haematocrit causing the problem!

[JSKly]

Hi Nicky, yes I certainly had foggy heads when Reds were high.

[Tinkerbell13]

Strangely enough, I feel exactly the same when my platelets rise...a definite fog descends and lack of the right word, etc. affects me. Realise this could be different from PV sufferers, but maybe in some strange way linked. Whatever, you have my total 'empathy'! Best wishes, Tinkerbell13

[Karen1970]

Yes I do. I am so glad to read these comments as I have exactly the same especially the tight band around the head and sore temples x