I was put on Pegasus in Jan due to my age being above 60. I recently saw a different haemologist who said for a male with Polycythaemia vera (PV) this should be 65. Is there a definative age please. Apart form venosection approx every 8 weeks I have no symptoms and am otherwise fit & healthy b
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@DougyW I was diagnosed at 60 last year after a crash, my specialist wanted me on Ruxolitinib for the itching, but the board, ie the money, said Hydroxycarbamide first.
Your treatment will be based on your blood counts, your symptoms, some bias from your specialist.
Looks like they are trying to manage the long term outlook or have noticed a change in numbers rather than symptoms.
Others may have experience of different treatment at different ages, but my specialist just went with what he had in his tool box for my symptoms and blood count numbers
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Hi @DougyW no idea if there is a definitive answer.
That is a question for someone in your medical team.
Look after yourself
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The original haemologist wanted me to go on hydroxy. I had to argue for Pegasus. I was told the need for treatment was based on my age?
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@DougyW why did you argue for it?
The fact you are now past 60 is the medical trigger point, the old body and it’s powers to heal and renew etc, mean the medical lot look a bit more closely at our numbers and decide if we need some new spark plugs or turbo to get us up those hills these days.
Trouble seems to be cancer cells are still going at 70mph while our body cells are looking longingly at the VW camper tootling along at 35mph (downhill) as we get older.
Good luck at the next stage of your journey
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I wanted to achieve what appears to be an emerging benefit of slowing down progression via reduction in AB reduction, hence pushing for Pegasus.
The age point of 60 or 65 seems to be contentious. Ive seen both ages writen diwn for Polycythaemia vera (PV).
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