I'm assuming if his doc's said it was from lifestyle then he has secondary polycythemia? There is no known cause for primary, vera, or rubra vera. Iron defficiency will cause fatigue and the problem with polycythemia is that as soon as we ingest iron, it is immediately used up. The most helpful thing for me has been acupuncture. Could you get him to try that?

I haven't been on this site for a long time. My Dr. put me on Hydroxuria. That's probably spelled wrong. My count is finally lower and stable. The fatigue is there but I didn't think much of it since I have 4 pounds of metal in my back from scoliosis surgeries. The itchy skin times are not fun either. Everybody has some kind of battle.

read my post above re pv & exercise my experience is if you exercise regularly the fatigue will decrease also the itching,its not known why.The more you sit the worse it will be,obviously all exercise should be done with doc's blessing.Also see websites MPD support(in UK)& MPD foundation(in USA).Hope this helps,he must get moving,good luck.

On 8-2009 I was diagnoised Polycythemia as my rbc was 53.7 two weeks later 52.50, three weeks later was 52.50 . Three months later I see the Oncologist and then my rbc was 53.7. ( I think the red blood cell cycle is every 4 months).
Anyway the Oncologist recommended two phelbotomies in one week.
Before the first one my rbc was 48.7 and after the first phelbotomy my rbc was 49.
4 weeks later I seen the doctor and my rbc was 51.9 so I will have 2 more phelbotomies in the next 2 weeks and I am hopefull.
I found out about my condition at the same time I was going thru a divorce and I have had sign the papers in late December and my stress level is down.
My primary doctor scared me and said I could have a stroke but was under the level of 54. and he said he may have to put me on a breathing machine and sent me to do a sleep study.
I don't have any problems breathing etc but ended with a little bill , I think the doctor tried to apologize and told me he gave me to much information at once.
Nobody is perfect and I think he sent me to the sleep study as a precaution.
I read my bible every day, pray. watch my diet etc.
I do not smoke, drink or drug but I understand a healthy person like my self at 55 can get this blood disorder.
I believe God is in control and he can do whatever he wants.
I look at this as positive that a got notice that a lot of people don't get and again I am hopeful.
My only symptons were some headaches and after the phelbotomy i rarely have any. My primary doctor caught this thru a regular blood test.
God Bless
JohnnyD

HELLO MY NAME IS ANGELINA I HAVE Polycythemia Vera. FOUND OUT JULY 24TH 09 AND STILL NO ANSWER THEY CAN'T GIVE ME ANY ANSWER IF ITS PRIMARY OR SECONDARY I FEEL EITHER WAY ITS PV RIGHT LOL.. I GO FOR A CT SCAN ON TUESDAY NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AT ALL. BUT SUCH IS LIFE.. IF YOU WANT HIT ME UP FOR A CHAT I'M A VERY OPEN AND HONEST PERSON THAT WORRYS WAY TO MUCH LOL GOD BLESS

I had a ultrasound done before any phelbotomy, no enlarged liver and spleen ok with 2 little cyst in the kidney area (one in each kidney).
The Oncologist said at the time I was ok because my rbc went down to 50.50 and then three months later it was 53.7 again and he said anything above the 52.0 we have to do a phelbotomy.
The Oncologist says I have polycythemia secondary but no one knows the cause. I heard that it could be in the DNA etc.
My case is a mild one with little symptoms with some headaches.
I have no itching after showers or fullness in the abdomen area or dizziness.
The highest my rbc has been 53.7 and I had my 3rd phelbotomy last monday and will have another next monday. This will be four within 2 months.
I quit drinking coffee and decafs, only some chamolile tea.
My blood pressure was 152 two weeks ago and I got it down to 135 before the phelbotomy, reducing stress helps as I have anxiety but dealing with it.
I am reducing the amount of Iron, I did not know that men have about twice as much blood then women.
Praying and reading the Bible helps, God will be the director and I will follow by having faith and taking care of myself.
I hope that everything works out, so be positive, where there is a will there is a way.
God Bless

I decided to go off the Hydroxuria. Cancer is strong on my mom's side of the family. My mother had 3 different types of cancer at 3 different times in her life. I have been on the drug since August of 2006 and am supposed to take 500mil. twice daily. I would rather go with stroke or heart attack than to get cancer after seeing the way my mom went. I would be very interested in natural ways to fight the elevated red blood cell count. Thanks and God Bless all of You.

Dereise, I hope everything works well for you after stop taking Hydroxuria.
I would pray on this also monitor your blood work (cbc) etc.
Try to be positive and let us know what happens.
I will be praying for you.
I am weak but with God I am strong and anything is possible with his help.
Take Care.
JohnnyD

Thanks so much Johnny. I'm going for a blood test next week. I see that the cell count is different than the way my doctor tested me. My highest count was 650 and it finally balanced at 300 last check. I'm not up on all the reading about the disease as I should be. Just in case I do have a full bottle of my medication. God Bless You, Dereise.....