Does Interferon affect BMB results?

[fee13]

Dx ET JAK2+ with platelets rarely over 600 (just from blood tests). Was on hydroxyurea for 3 years, now on Roferon A (interferon) 3 x weekly for 10 months. I have just started noticing an improvement with symptoms but i would like to request a BMB and was wondering whether interferon can affect the results. Can they still determine an exact diagnosis and fibrotic score if present?

[stillkicking]

Greetings Fee13 from the rather blustery South of the South Island! (Some possibility of Snow on Friday, so Winter hasn't quite left us after all!!). I can't help with the technical question you asked, but Just wanted to say that I am delighted that you are having some improvement in symptoms. I was actually thinking of you recently and wondering how you were. I did appreciate your help very much when I was all worried about approaching WINZ for assistance several months ago.

Best Wishes,

Peter

[fee13 in reply to stillkicking]

Oh awesome, thanks Peter. The sun is shining but still cold enough to freeze the little fellas off a brass monkey ...

[Wentry in reply to fee13]

Hi Fiona,

It's 13 here in Upper Hutt but I've had the fire going all day luckily It's sleeting in Queenstown, my poor son is cold and wet driving the jet boats today, rather him than me!

I have seen articles that say interferon can reverse fibrosis in early stages of MF, but if you haven't already a BMB you wouldn't know what your fibrosis level was before. I asked for a BMB as I wanted a baseline, and also because I wanted to be reasonably sure I didn't have Pre-fibrotic MF which can only be diagnosed with a BMB, as opposed to the 'probable' ET JAK2+ which was diagnosed just with bloods. My haematologist in Wellington was happy for me to have one, I hope they are just as obliging in Palmy for you if you request one, don't let them fob you off by saying it won't make any difference to treatment.

Wendy

[fee13 in reply to Wentry]

Thanks wendy, i remember you saying to have some compelling reasons to sway the haems in my favour for a BMB but i tend to get flustered and feel i can't justify my request. I have my annual check this month so need to toughen up & go for it 😓

[Wentry in reply to fee13]

Hi Fiona, I thought it was normal to have a baseline BMB before you go onto any treatment, but they obviously didn't do that if you've never had one so that's one reason, you can also say that a BMB is required for a diagnosis according the WHO guidelines, and you can also say you want to rule out Pre-fibrotic Myelofibrosis which can only be done with a BMB. Just say you want to know as much as possible (if you do😉). You can say they were willing to do one for me at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre on request for those reasons 😁 I know my haems in Welly talk to Claire Harrison at Guy's sometimes for advice, you could ask yours if they do or suggest they do if they don't as she's an MPN specialist 😂You'll be fine, you just need to be brave enough to advocate for yourself if there's nobody with you that can argue for you if necessary?

Wendy x

[Wentry in reply to stillkicking]

Hi Peter,

Loved the photo you posted that had bluebells in it Dave and I may be dropping in on our way from the Catlins up to Chch early January if you and Laura are around, it should be a bit warmer than last time ha ha

Wendy x

[stillkicking in reply to Wentry]

Hi Wendy,

It would be lovely to see you and Dave. We will almost certainly be around early January and we might even be having summer by then! Chance of snow later in the week here!