When you have myelofibrosis (MF), keeping both your mind and body healthy is important. Doing so could make it easier to handle the effects of the condition. Here are some things you can do to take care of yourself.
Talk to Friends and Family
Open conversation with your friends and family about MF can be a helpful way to cope with your illness. But they may hesitate to stir up difficult emotions or worry that you’ll have trouble dealing with them. Let them know it’s OK to talk about your feelings.
Set Aside Time for Yourself
Take care of yourself by doing things that make you feel strong, like praying, meditating, or going for a walk. Relaxation techniques can calm your body and mind. Treat yourself to a long bath or read a good book. Research suggests that handling stress well can make a positive difference in how you feel during your illness.
Join a Support Group
Being part of a support group allows you to connect with others on a similar journey. Experts who specialize in helping people facing cancer lead support groups in person, on the phone, and online.
Exercise
If you have cancer, moving your body during aerobic exercise can give you more energy and improve your quality of life, research shows. One study of people with blood cancer found that being active improves aerobic capacity.
Watch Your Diet
Eating certain foods could have an impact on your MF symptoms. A survey asked people with the condition about their eating habits and found that some foods, like fast food, premade snacks, and sugary drinks made symptoms worse. Meanwhile, taking an amino acid supplement could ease MF symptoms.
Practice Yoga
When you live with MF, doing yoga can help both your body and mind. In a study, 39 people with blood cancer tried an online yoga program for 12 weeks. Afterward, many of them felt more active (69.2%), less tired (51.3%), and calmer (35.8%). Another study compared those who did yoga to those who didn't. The yoga group slept better and had less pain, anxiety, and depression. Plus, their bodies showed less inflammation.
Understand Your Condition
MF is not a very common health issue. It's a good idea to talk to your doctor and ask them to guide you to reliable sources of information. Take the time to explore these sources so you can have a good understanding of myelofibrosis.
Practice Lifestyle Changes
Living with MF means you’ll need to make some changes to your daily routine. Pay close attention to any pain you feel when bending, especially because of an enlarged spleen. Be careful of exposure to infections, especially when your immune system is weaker. And avoid situations where you could get hurt or find yourself in positions that may affect your low blood platelet count.
Show Sources
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SOURCES:
Cancer Research UK: “Coping with myelofibrosis.”
CancerCare: “Coping With Myelofibrosis.”
Expert Review of Hematology: “Improving symptom burden and quality of life in patients with myelofibrosis: current strategies and future directions.”
Mayo Clinic: “Myelofibrosis.”
