Back pain and ET

[Alan_P]

Hi Everyone

Just joined the group. I'm 45 and from the UK. I have just been diagnosed with ET following raised platelets after suffering a cardiac arrest in September. I am on Hydroxycarbamide. I am recobering well. Looking back I have probably experienced ET symptoms for a number of years. I have gone from no medication to about 10 a day - mostly for the heart. I am experiencing alot of shoulder pain, lower back pain and neck pain. I was wondering if anyone else with ET experience these symptoms or if some are down to my medication. Thanks for all your help. This is a great group.

[hunter5582]

Back pain can occur for reasons independent of MPNs and medications; however, it is worth noting that back pain is one of the the known common side effects from hydroxycarbamide. If this is a new symptom with no prior history of back pain, it would be reasonable to suspect an adverse effect. Suggest you let your MPN care team know what you are experiencing. You will likely need an evaluation to assess other potential causes of the back pain. The good news is that there are other options if the hydroxycarbamide is the problem.

[Alan_P in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks for your reply. I will have a chat to my specialist at my next review.

[Threelions]

Hi

I’ve got ET. I used to suffer with back pain (don’t know if it was associated with the ET)

I started going to my local yoga class a couple of years back and have gone every week since.

Doing yoga completely sorted the back pain out so I’d recommend giving it a go👍

[Alan_P in reply to Threelions]

Hi. That sounds like a good idea. Will give it a go. Thanks.

[hunter5582 in reply to Alan_P]

I would add that I practice Qigong, which also helps with the back pain. I also see a skilled massage therapist, who keeps me out of pain and functional. .

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hello Alan and welcome to our forum. so glad to hear that you are recovering well following your cardiac arrest. It can be daunting when you are newly diagnosed with ET, there is such a lot to learn and understand, we have a lot of very useful information on our website, if you haven't had a look yet I would suggest that you do mpnvoice.org.uk

Best wishes, Maz

[Alan_P in reply to Mazcd]

Hello. Thank you for your reply. The web site and this group is very helpful.