At Your Appointment

Polycythemia Vera Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
  • What other health conditions do you have? How are you treating and managing them?
  • When was your last set of lab tests?
  • Are you having any symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, joint pain, or sores?
  • How much exercise are you getting each day?
  • Do you need help quitting smoking?
  • Would you be willing to consider a clinical trial?
  • Describe your symptoms. Are you experiencing itching, fatigue, weakness, excessive sweating, fevers, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or stomach pain?
  • How long have you had these symptoms?
  • Did your symptoms start gradually or suddenly?
  • Are your symptoms constant or do they come and go?
  • What seems to make your symptoms better or worse?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with a blood cell disorder?
  • How are you tolerating your medications? Are you having side effects?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
  • What is your main concern about a polycythemia vera diagnosis?
  • Do my symptoms mean I have polycythemia vera?
  • Could another medical condition be causing or contributing to my symptoms?
  • How do you diagnose polycythemia vera? What tests do I need?
  • How do you treat polycythemia vera?
  • How do you expect my polycythemia vera to progress?
  • What causes polycythemia vera? Is polycythemia curable?
  • What treatment plan do you recommend for me? And why?
  • What are the possible side effects of the treatment you are recommending? Are any of them long-term or permanent?
  • How often do I need follow-up appointments and tests?
  • What strategies can help prevent or relieve the side effects I'm experiencing? Do I have other medication options?
  • Are my new symptoms related to my polycythemia vera or its treatment?
  • What is the best treatment plan for me, including possible clinical trials??
  • What are the potential complications of polycythemia vera?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Dec 20
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  1. Polycythemia Vera. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355855
  2. Polycythemia Vera. National Organization for Rare Diseases. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/polycythemia-vera/