Hi @Timmins26, and welcome to the Forum. It sounds like a lot has happened in a short space of time, with your symptoms getting worse just as you were getting used to the diagnoses.
There are a couple of other threads that might be worth a read whilst you wait for more replies. ET diagnosis finally sinking in has lots of members with Essential Thrombocythaemia ('ET') who are on peg-interferon, and ET and starting interferon has people talking about how they got on when they first started. We also have some information about interferon on our ET treatment and side effects page.
I’m also going to bring in our nurses, @BloodCancerUK_Nurses, as you mentioned your symptoms have got worse recently. In the meantime, please do let your haematology team know about the headaches and abdominal pain before you start next week, rather than waiting for your next appointment. If anything comes on suddenly or feels severe, please don’t wait -call your hospital’s 24-hour number or 999.
Thank you @Lucky for sharing your experience so openly. I’m also going to tag @Lizzi, who has talked about interferon here before - Lizzi, there’s no pressure at all, but if you feel up to adding a few words for Aaron, I’d appreciate it.
You can also speak to one of our nurses by calling 0808 2080 888. At the moment it’s a call back service, so leave your name, number and a short message and a nurse will ring you back within one working day. You can also email support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
Do let us know how you get on once you’ve started.
Take care,
Ceri - Blood Cancer UK