I was diagnosed with ET over 16 years ago whilst pregnant. I was told very little about the illness, as I believe not a huge amount was known back then, except that it was rare in someone of my age - I was 37. I regarded it as symptom-less at the time and was happy to take the daily 75 mg aspirin that was recommended and have my blood tested every so many weeks, later stretching out to months. Ignorance, in a way was bliss, my consultant didn't say anything alarming and therefore I was not alarmed.
I moved up to the Leicester area in 2001 a BMB was carried out by my new consultant, but again I was not given any new information and as I was still not feeling any ill effects I continued to take the aspirin. My blood count remained just under the 1000 mark but after it remained consistently above this count, the consultant suggested I started on Hydroxycarbamide - which I have been taking for over 7 years (maybe more).
A few years ago I discovered the MPD Site, and suddenly I became more acutely aware of what I actually had and for the first time I became alarmed and anxious! Don't get me wrong I was delighted to find out exactly what I had but what I am saying is sometimes we can get ourselves very worked up unnecessarily. Once I had digested the facts recognised that there appeared to be varying degrees of the illness - that there were a number of people who had been living with the disorder for years - on both sides of the Atlantic (and beyond!) and that a huge amount more had been discovered about the disease in recent years and that probably there would soon be a cure - my anxiety subsided.
I have due to various fairly major life changes (a traumatic Divorce and two tragic deaths of close family members) undergone a lot of stress over the years, but my ET has remained fairly constant.
I do get very tired at times, though not constantly,I bruise fairly easily, but then so do other friends of mine without ET - I have had itchy skin, although not presently, occasionally I get palpitations, but as someone who has now been through the menopause - I sometimes question whether symptoms that I get are to do with my ET or are just simply because I am getting older. I am thrilled that we have sites such as these for us to share experiences but I really do want to reassure people, particularly those who have just been diagnosed with ET not to get too anxious (easier said than done I know). Because although I would much prefer not to have been diagnosed with ET, it really does not necessarily have to impact too heavily on your life. I have lived a perfectly normal life, with all its ups and downs and hopefully will continue to do so into a healthy old age.
I do recognise that there are others far less fortunate than I, but I thank God that my condition was diagnosed when it was - as the outcome could have been far worse if it had not.
Staying positive, keeping abreast of the rapid advances that are being made and sharing experiences are the best things that we can do - so God Bless and all the best to you all
By the way have huge admiration for Street Pastors - Bless you! xx
Et and mf2
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ET not cancer, and dental issues
ET/PV and going to high altitude 
