Hi my name is Chris, I was diagnosed with Essential thrombocythemia (ET) 2 years ago. I have recently been unwell and hospitalised. I am now at home but not returned to work in nearly 2 months, due to iron deficiency and musculoskeletal chest pain. I am still on 75g aspirin daily and now on iron tablets for 2 months. My fatigue is major at the moment and everyday is different to the next. My chest bones and sternum are particularly very sore and the doctor said this won’t improve until the iron deficiency corrects itself. I get breathless when picking up pace on a walk and can’t return to work at the moment because of the physical aspect. My platelets were 915 when admitted to hospital and my last blood test was a reading of 820, ferritin level at 16. I hope once my iron levels get better my condition will improve.
Many Thanks and love
Chris
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Hi @Fleming97 and welcome to the forum.
It’s sounds as though you’ve had a tough couple of months. Fatigue can be just awful can’t it and affects so many aspects of our life.
I know there are many members on here with the same diagnosis as who will be able to share their experiences as well and that really helped me.
How are you keeping yourself busy at home? It’s so hard going from working to not working!
Nichola
i hope things get a little better each day. Thaw good care of yourself and keep posting.
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Hi Nichola, yes it’s tough at the moment because my day to day activity is limited. I am due to start a fatigue management programme with MacMillan in October, hopefully I gain benefit from this. I am a Postman so very physically demanding with walking daily around 25k steps. I try still to do small housework chores and go out for strolls. It’s always good to talk though, so figured I would join here. I remain positive and although probably a good way of recovery, I hope to get back to normality.
Many Thanks
Chris
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