ms er since 'O6: Yes, my pain in the feet was made much worse by the chemo treatments I was on last year for Polycythemia Vera. The chemo was Hydroxyurea to lower platelets, then I tried Interferon A and then the advanced form of Interferon called Pegasys. One toe turned purple and the feet had to be propped up all the time and I was on demerol. I couldn't get up to a therapeutic dose on these drugs, so the suffering was of no avail. the p32 (radioactive phosphorus) lowered the platelets without side effects, but it may (possibly) give me leukemia. My dad died of leukemia and also my uncle so that may happen, but may not. I HATE chemo. To think nothing better is available for most folks. I know there are "alternate" treatments offered but they are not for everyone. My feeling right now is that medical science has mostly failed in treating these long-term diseases. We keep talking about improving medical care but we don't have outstanding care now, if you look at it objectively.