by David Wallace updated July 10, 2025 This is no wonderful “epiphany moment” article, just a quick report on a real myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) symptom I experience from time to time. Many mornings, I make a healthy smoothie to get me up and rolling. This morning I grabbed the wrong ingredient and sprinkled it in […]
Mast Cells and Histamine in MPN-Related Itching Explained
Updated Feb. 21, 2025 Publisher’s Note: PV Reporter is very pleased to welcome Kate Newberry as contributing writer. She is collaborating with me on the Mast Cell Mania series providing the “medical commentary.” Kate Newberry is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center collaborating […]
Over the Counter Combo of Zyrtec and Zantac helping PV patients get relief from Itching!
Part 1 in a New Series: “Addressing MPN Symptoms” by David Wallace updated August 8, 2025 2025 Update: Beta-Alanine has also been used successfully to beat itching MPN patients experiencing severe itching have traditionally turned to a combination of over-the-counter remedies, often referred to as the “Z and Z combo,” which includes Zyrtec (cetirizine) and […]
PV For Newbies – A Patient’s Perspective
Publisher’s Update – April 2026 This article was originally published in 2015 and remains a helpful overview for newly diagnosed PV patients. One important treatment update: since publication, the FDA has approved Besremi (ropeginterferon alfa-2b) for polycythemia vera. Besremi is a next-generation, long-acting interferon administered every two weeks and is the first interferon specifically FDA-approved […]
Strategies to Beat Itching in Polycythemia Vera
How Can I Beat the Itchies? contributed by Paul Jaeger I was suffering from itching (pruritis) almost 10 years before my Polycythemia Vera was diagnosed. It’s the worst symptom my disease/condition has brought so far, although the doctor promises death at some point in my future. I had to give her $150 to tell me […]
