I have been diagnosed with this somewhat rare blood condition after having ongoing problems with painful itching. My hematacrit and hemoglobin are monitored and I've had one phlebotomy done but the itching has increased. The doctor said I could try Hydrea- a milder form of chemo. I really do not want to go to that step. Supposedly the itching is from the thickened blood traveling through minute blood vessels to the nerves and the nerves become irritated. Any recommendations to help keep blood thinner as stroke and heart attack can be an issue too. I take 81 mg ASA per day. What about fish oil?