Polycythemia Support Group

I was diagnosed at age 35, after the birth of my daughter. Since the diagnosis was a year after my pregnancy I was not given any statistics. However, I have probably had the disease since around your age, just not diagnosed. It took me three years to get pregnant. I was put on low dose aspirin for a high platelet count. I believe I would have miscarried if it was not for aspirin. I was a high risk pregnancy and had spent the last 2 months of my pregnancy in the hospital. I had rare tumor on my placenta and a slight abruption of the placenta. The bright side of my story is that I made it full term. She is now a healthy 7 year old.

I am currently waiting for an official diagnosis next wed, but all signs lead to PV. I first had a high hematocrit in 03 and in 04 (age 27) I had both a high hematocit and hemoglobin, my doc at the time who was the best doc I ever had (in CT), forewarned me that this would be something we would have to watch and could be a blood disease (didn't elaborate I think not to scare me too much). Fast forward I moved to Boston for a year, and then moved with my hubby to CA. Every year after 04 the numbers have crept up slightly. After a particularly good Valentines we ended up having unprotected sex 3 times in 06 (I was also 29 at the time). I ended up getting pregnant and had a healthy baby boy. Fast fwd 6 years, I am now almost 36 (next month) and have a healthy 6 year old son. Since he was a suprise and a VERY difficult baby, we decided to only have one (my hubby is an only child). I am anxious to hear what the doc says next Wed, but I am prepared that I have it and have had it steadily worsening since 04. I wanted to share my story because I hope it may encourage you, although I can't completely confirm this dx yet. Goodluck to you! Just to give you an idea my hemoglobin was last blood test 18.7 and hematocirt 56.7.