Booty and the Beast!

Hi Guys! This is the "Beast"! Returning again from parts unknown! Hope everyone is doing fine and having great success!   Since my surgery on 6/28/07, I'm down to 185-189 for about the last month or so. Surgery weight was 284.  I seem to be holding here pretty steadily lately as things start to level out. I would like to see just 10 more pounds gone, but that 10 is the most stubborn to leave my body for obvious reasons.   Although I've been off CPAP and all medications for quite some time now, I cannot say that I'm feeling very energetic these days. I do try and exercise pretty intensely on a regular basis, but find that overtraining sometimes brings me to the point of exhaustion and sets me back every now and then to where I need to take a week's rest to recover and begin again. During routine blood work by my Surgeon and my primary care Doctor recently, I was found by both Doctors to have what is called Polycythemia Vera... which basically means that the bone marrow over-produces blood cells.. particularily red blood cells in my case. This means that the blood gets so thick that it flows very slow, your heart works harder, and one is much more prone to clots and strokes.  There is no cure, so the best way to treat it is to have your blood drained down. I've been in the hospital twice for that so far. Sucks! Anyway.. I'm trying to get out there and keep the cardio exercise going because I need to do all I can to better my circulation.  This disease is rare for someone under 60 years old,  but that's just the kind of luck I seem to have. I'm 48. Anyway, there are lots of people worse off than I, and this thing is definitely doable as long as we track it. I'll keep you guys posted on the last pesky 10 pounds. Originally, my goal was 184 pounds, and I'm basically there now, but I pushed it another 10 pounds because I think overall I'll look and feel better.   Take Care for now!  "The Beast!"

Good to see you, Beast. First I have ever heard of thick blood. I guess you need your own vampire, now. Joe

Thanks Joebear! Yeah.. blood that's way too rich in red cells = blood too thick!

Hey their . Do you take an asprin a day , this has been proven to thin the blood. And you might talk to your Dr about  L-Arginine. It helps to strenghten the whole crado system .  I take it . It helps me with my neroupathy in the feet .( Pain lots of pain!!! )   Nick

I do take at least 2 asprin a day, but from what I've read, asprin does not necessarily help with this condition.

I had a nieghbor who was I think from Holland that had that condition.  He told me that there is a strong genetic link to the illness, and that many of tis victims can trace theri family ancestry to Holland (or that region).   He said it is an extremely rare disorder.   My neighbor said he didn't find out he had the condition until he was in the military (war) ...  He had suffered through like 40 mini-strokes or some such number before they finally diagnosed what was wrong with him.  At the time I think they said his blood was like gelatin ...  ! 

What about Coumadin? My ex takes it for her heart valve replacement. Are the Docs goona make you do a PT/INR test every month??

Just an idea.

Sean

Thanks for the replies guys! Well.. my doctor is good, but he thinks a Hematologist can handle this better so I have an appointment in less than 2 weeks.  It is very rare indeed.. especailly for someone under 60 yrs. old. I try to get enough cardio to keep the circulation good. No medications for it yet. We'll see what the specialist says.  My dad died at 57 of a stroke.. so I'm concerned a bit. Thanks for the input guys!

We share the same surgery date!! Cool!!!