Secondary Polycythemia: How Am I Dealing With It?
Posted: Friday, April 03, 2009
by Chiradeep
e-Counseling
I have Secondary Polycythemia because of my congenital cardiac problem. I became aware of this problem for last 4 years. I dont know how my doctors didnt alert me of this problem before. But anyway by Gods grace nothing has happened yet for Polycythemia.
Let me give a brief description of what happens in this kind of problem. In my body the pure and the impure blood get mixed up because of my congenital cardiac problem. And that is why my whole body doesnt get proper oxygen, which is called hypoxia. To compensate that my hemoglobin increases on a regular basis which is good for me. But when the percentage of hemoglobin increases further more the viscosity of the blood increases also. The blood doesnt flow properly. And I suffer with headache, tiredness, breathlessness, disturbed vision, weakness, dizziness for that.
Now I am suffering, because my hemoglobin is 21.5% and PCV is 65 %. I am drinking lots of water at least 5-6 liters of water per day. That helps to reduce the viscosity of blood. I take a Persantin tablet daily to dilute my blood. It is a life time medication. If it doesnt help then I have to get admitted in the hospital and undergo through a procedure called phlebotomy. In phlebotomy I have to let out certain amount of blood. After the procedure the viscosity of the blood gradually reduces. I feel relieved.
But please I dont want to get admitted to hospital again and again. And I am trying my best to reduce the viscosity of my blood by drinking water and prayer. I hope and trust my Lord that my PCV will go down under 60 % after a week or so.
Another thing I need to keep in mind that my PCV should not go under 50% or less also. My body wont be properly oxygenated because of my cardiac problem. So I have to check my blood sample regularly and keep a balance.
Irritating! Isnt it? But I thank God that I have got easy options but if we think about cancer patients, AIDS patients and other diseases then I can understand their suffering and pain.
Anyway, you must be thinking why I shared all these. I did it for two reasons.
1. I shared it so that everybody can know about myself more and pray for me.
2. I want all the doctor writers in searchwarp to give me some tips to reduce the viscosity of my blood.
Thats all. Thanks for reading Sirs & Madams.
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More commentsChiradeep, thank you for sharing this part of you with us. You are certainly in our prayers. We love you and are praying for wisdom for you and your doctors. God bless the work of your hands! What an encouragement you are to continue serving other people while you are dealing with a seriously health issue.Love, TeresaWhen you comment, it is something different & special. In our life the love, support & prayer of fellow believers sustain us even if we go through suffering. I always infact we both thank God for a person called 'Teresa Ortiz' in our life. God bless you my sister. I am feeling better but not that much to sit and work in my office. I am thinking I will go home and take rest. Thanks for your prayer and love. God bless you abundantly.
Chiradeep please know that I have begun to pray for you.Thanks... for the comment. God bless you.
Chiradeep,You have a network of friends here at SW who have added you to their prayers. God bless you,NancyThats great Nancy! Thanks a lot for all of your prayers.
I have no suggestions other than what you are already doing. I always tell parents to arm themselves with education and you are already doing so. It is a tough, chronic problem that you are dealing with. I don't recall you mentioning the nature of your cardiac condition, but it sounds like surgery might not be an option.We will pray for you, sir. God has a purpose for you, so take care of yourself!!No surgery for Polycythemia. But I had already two open heart surgeries. One in 1978 when I was almost 3 years old for 'Tricuspid Atresia' and second in 2001 when I was 25 years old for 'Pulmunory Atresia'. I am fine now. Except Polycythemic tendencies because of less oxigen saturation in my body.
Chiradeep,You are a precious gift from God and we both know that he is the master physician. I can relate too much to the problems you are dealing with and daily medication. You and your wife are definitely in my prayers. If I could be there just to pray and lay hands on you I would. Get rested and I hope you feel better soon.Love, hugs and blessings always,MichelleThanks a lot Michelle! I know you would have done that. But you still can do that there in sitting at your room in US for me who is far away in India. Our God is so so big that He will listen to your prayer from US and heal me in India. God bless you. Love & Hug for you too...Chiradeep
My prayers are on the way! You never know when you will get a genuine miracle. I had late stage ovarian cancer in 1998 and survived with no chemo or radiation. I never dreamed I'd be so blessed. So hang in there. You never know what God has in store for you.Wow!Grammy! That's really wonderful. God bless you and keep you safe. Thanks for the comment & Prayer.
hi tc,i hope you hear from those who can provide help and strength to you.thank you for sharing your story, and may God bless you and keep you,best regards,sueSusan Thanks for the comment and Prayer.
Chiradeep,It looks like you have a lot of prayer coming your way. That is what the family of God is all about. Why these things happen we may never know, but God has a reason. You have a strong testimony and I know God will honour your faith.Sir David! I am so encouraged and delighted to see you online and your comment. You're a father figure to me. As I am so young only 33yrs. And when you give blessings its like double portion for me. Thanks a lot father-brother in Christ. In fact I am much better today. God bless you.
Chiradeep, sad but well written article. I'm so sorry to hear about your problems. I am no doctor, but I do have great faith in the Lord and you are in my prayers.Be well and God Bless.SAndra
I am 55 years old and in good health. I recently found out I have polycythemia about 5 months ago and have had 3 phelbotomy and 1 more to go in a week. 2 in one week and the other 2 in 2 weeks.My RBC is 53.7 then goes 52.50 then 50.50, 6 weeks ago the rbc went to 48.60 before the first phelbotomy and 49.9 before the second phelbotomy.2 weeks later i seen the oncologist and the rbc was 51.9.The last phelbotomy the bag only got have of my blood for some reason.The first 2 phelbotomy the registered nurses were suppose to use the saline iv treatment and they did not. So after the second phelbotomy after filling the bag full, i turned white then they gave me the iv.I will be passing the info to my dr., today you have to be your own advocate.The positive note is thru the lord jesus christ i am dealing with this and other.I managed to get my blood pressure down from 152 to 135 by diet. prayer, reading the bible and cutting out the coffee and all decaf plus watching the salt. I am determined to be around as long as its Gods Will.I was going thru a divorce when I found out the I had this blood disorder and alone and scared and then went to my father in heaven.I was abandon in my childhood and felt again in my marriage but God has never abandon me.Keep your faith, one day at a time and I will pray for you.Thats bad. I will pray for you too. I don't have Polycythemia but Polycythemic tendencies because of my cardiac problem. Thanks for your prayer and concern.
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