Hi,
I was diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythaemia ('ET') in sept 2025 and I have now been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was just wondering if there is any connection. I feel overwhelmed with tiredness and aches. At the moment I am only on aspirin for Essential Thrombocythaemia ('ET'), but have started ona host of drugs for arthritis. I am 45 and this all just feels too much. Both haem and rheum don’t communicate with each other, so all feels out of control.
Hi @Joo1es
I’m sorry to read about your diagnosis and arthritis. Can’t be easy dealing with both.
This is probably a question for your Haematology Team.
The wonderful @BloodCancerUK-SupportTeam may also be able to offer some insight. I’ve tagged them in this reply.
Contact details below if you wanted to reach out to them in link below
Hope that helps and take care
Hello @Joo1es
We are sorry to hear about your diagnosis of Essential Thrombocythaemia ('ET') and now rheumatoid arthritis. It sounds like you’ve had a lot going on in a relatively short space of time, and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed.
While both Essential Thrombocythaemia ('ET') and rheumatoid arthritis involve the immune system and inflammation, we aren’t able to say whether one has directly caused the other and is still an area being researched. Your haematology and rheumatology teams are best placed to advise on any potential relationship between these conditions.
It’s important to keep your treating teams updated on how you are feeling so that they can provide you with the best support they can, so do let them know how you are doing. They may be able to review your symptoms further or take a look at your medications.
It may also be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms to help your team be more aware of how you are feeling.
It can be frustrating if you feel these teams are not communicating with each other. If you have clinic letters from each you could take these to your appointments and speak with your clinical nurse specialists/ consultants to see if they are able to e-mail each other/ see if they can share information directly to help coordinate your care.
If you feel this issue is not being resolved, it may be helpful to contact your local PALS What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)? - NHS as they can assist in co-coordinating care.
If you would like to talk anything through with one of our nurses, please get in touch on 0808 2080 888.
Take care, and keep us updated,
Emma (support services nurse)