Second opinion

[bdpalmer]

I was diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasm; Essential Thrombocythemia. How do I begin the process of getting a second opinion? Do you go to my general practitioner first?

[Marie_14]

Bdpalmer my husband got a second opinion but we asked the Haematologist to refer us. He was not happy and wanted to send us to the hospital he wanted...not what we wanted! Anyway I told him where we wanted to go and he told me he didn't know any doctors there! So I gave him the doctors name! We went prepared as we thought he wouldn't like it.

So glad we did it however as the treatment my husband received at the second hospital was great!

If you are more likely to see your GP first ask him/her. If he can't do it then ask your Haematologist. Make sure you are referred to a Centre of Excellence that is important! Don't know if you are in the UK or not? If so there are a few but obviously you will want to go to the nearest one to you? We went to Christie's to see Dr Dennis.

Good luck.

Marie x

[mkrone]

You need to go to a myeloproliferative neoplasm doctor.

[Norman45]

I was initially diagnosed with ET after years of feeling ultra tired and then five years later after a bone marrow biopsy was diagnosed stage three MF.

Went on to Ruxolitinib straight away 18 months ago.

I am fortunate in going to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham - a centre of excellence for MPNs.

The staff at Ward 19 there are great and the doctors seem very knowledgeable about the disease.

Tiredness and shortness of breath are my main two issues.

In answer to your question. Yes get a second opinion at a centre of excellence. Prof Claire Harrison at Guys is the country’s leading expert on MPNs and does see patients from all over the country so you might start at the top and try to get a referral to her and her team at Guys.

Good luck.

[liucyndy]

Go to see a hematologist

[Pfasty]

My Internal med doctor was the one who did the test for JAK2 because my platelet count was rising every 2 weeks. He then referred me to my oncologist/hematologist. I had breast cancer 15 years ago, so I still was connected with my hemo once a year. My hemo had me do a bone marrow biopsy to determine the problem of the raising platelets. My Internal Med & Hematologist work together.

[Karenann12342]

Google to find MPN specialists and you find links