Essential thrombocytosis leg pain

[Irishgal12]

I think I may have asked before i cant even remember. I have been having leg cramps/ pain around knee joints not severe my haematologist said it could be et related not sure? Should I push it with my gp. Does anyone else with et get this.

[MaggieSylvie]

Hi Irishgal,

Over 70 years cramp has been a rare thing in my life but I have just started to have more - usually when in bed. Last night it was in my ankle. I already have osteoarthritis in my knees. So I suppose we can possibly blame ET, unless, for some reason, we are not drinking enough water.

My haematologist has asked me about symptoms, but how are we supposed to know if we're not experts!

Maggie

[Applesnpears]

Are you drinking enough? Keep a diary of what you have to drink every day for a week. If you average less than two litres per day then you need to increase your intake of fluids.

[hunter5582]

Maybe JAK2 - inflammation related. Really hard to know sometimes. We can have issues unrelated to our MPNs. For what it is worth, I do think systemic inflammation does occur and it can cause a wide range of problems. Decreasing inflammation is a key part of managing MPNs for many of us.

[SoledadBarcelona in reply to hunter5582]

Hunter5582, how can qe lower the inflammation? Diet is not enough, at least in my case.

[hunter5582 in reply to SoledadBarcelona]

There are some things that have helped me.

1. Curcumin supplements. There is solid evidence to support the use of curcumin, the active ingredient in Turmeric. It is not readily bioavailable, so the formulation does matter. Much of the cheap stuff is worthless, but it is not just the money. Focus on bioavailable forms.

2. My Integrative Medicine doc also prescribed SPM Active, which is a fish oil derivative that concentrates the anti-inflammatory elements.

3. There is good evidence for N-acetylcysteine . My Integrative Med doc suggested using L-Glutathione supplement as that is what NAC creates in the body.

4. If you can, go see an Integrative (Functional) Medicine Doctor. These docs look at your whole body as a system and are open to complementary health approaches that other doctors do not have the expertise to consider.

5. Note that many of the anti-inflammatory supplements potentiate aspirin. They are blood thinning. Be careful and work with a knowledgeable doc regarding interactions.

6. I also practice Qigong It does help.

All the best.

[SoledadBarcelona in reply to hunter5582]

I have an Integrative doctor but she dosen't know about the blood isdues. She takes care of my microbiota, general issues and thyroides but no PV.

Thanks

[hunter5582 in reply to SoledadBarcelona]

Not too surprising. Few doctors know much about MPNs. What she can be very helpful with is looking at the role of systemic inflammation and how it is affecting your body. Inflammation is a core them of many of the issues we face. Things like osteoarthritis, fascitis, GERD, insomnia, eczema, and our MPNs all have inflammation as at the core of the problem. The Integrative Med doc likely can't do much to treat the MPN, but she can help with some of the secondary symptoms you experience. The other thing she can be very helpful with is to be a resource regarding the interaction between traditional Western medicines and complementary health approaches like supplements. For instance, many people (even docs) do not know that fish oil significantly potentiates the blood thinning of aspirin. Using both is contraindicated, Unfortunately, many docs will tell you not to use things that could help because they know that they lack the knowledge to give good advice.

Hope that helps.

[Irishgal12]

What diet reduces inflammation

[Hidden in reply to Irishgal12]

If you search anti inflammatory diet lots on the internet. Includes things like berries olive oil nuts avoiding processed foods etc health.harvard.edu/staying-...