What are most common side effects when starting HU (Hydroxyurea)?

I’ve been taking since January 4th and I’m definitely noticing the past sun spots getting worse. I’m also having muscle fatigue a bit quicker than normal and the occasional headache. Hoping it stops soon. Do you know if your skin goes back to normal after your body gets used to it?

Mine did but also my dose was lowered from daily to 5X a week and now just 3X a week. I’ve been on this dosage now since June 23. I’m a 57 year old female with no other health issues and was diagnosed with PV in Jan 2023 after my annual labs showed high platelets , hematocrit and red cells extremely high. The previous year I was normal!!

Cool. I’m taking daily (500mg 4 days) and 1000mg 3 days) and hopeful to get my platelets down and ideally adjust. Glad to hear that your body adapted I’m hopeful. I have ET and am 46. They have me on a higher dose because I also had a heart attack 2.5 years ago. We’ll see but it’s been ok so far.

I just went to my hematologist today. My platelets were 708 everything else was good & pretty much the same as usual. My white count was up a little but still within normal limits but she wasn't concerned due to me having a sinus infection & just started antibiotics last night. We decided to try 500 mg 1x per day & see how I do. If not good then will adjust as needed. Labs get ran again in 3 weeks to see how doing.

I have been taking 500 mg. per day of hydroxyurea since August of 2023. Daily leg pain is caused by hydroxyurea for me. Also, any former injury I have had in the past is attacked by the hydroxyurea and causes pain. The knee I injured in high school gymnastics in 1969 never had an issue with pain and instability until hydroxyurea and the knee has become more unstable and painful. 40 years ago I had Bell's Palsy when pregnant with our son, and I never had pain in the eye that is located on the side of my face where the Bell's Palsy occured. A few times a month I get a stabbing pain in the Bell's Palsy eye and that never happened unitl I was prescribed hydroxyurea for essential thrombocytosis. Weird as can be.

Anyone else try something different? There are other strings within this connect community on alternatives to Hydrea. I’m wondering.

@dkmitchell- That's good to know. My 40's have been rough on me. I'm 47 & have had 2 meniscus repairs & currently have another tear in the remaining meniscus of my right knee. I've had 4 ankle surgeries for torn tendons & a ligament. I also had bells pulsey on the left side of my face in my 20's & now this ET diagnosis.

My brother and I have the JAK2 gene sibling mutation, and he could not handle the side effects Hydroxyurea and he is taking a different medication for the condition. I will have to ask him the name of that medication. I think he has fewer side effects than I have.

Cool. Thanks for the additional info @dkmitchell ……. and @cdurbin I also had a meniscus repair in my right knee when I was 23. I’m 46 now and my knee is certainly more painful after exercise since I’ve taken Hydrea. It hasn’t hurt in so long but now it’s like it needs to warm up a ton before exercise and just feels stiff and painful the day after. I’m told your body “gets used to it” and that stuff stops after a while but I don’t know.

Your 40s have been very rough on you. I hope that despite the ET you have that the years ahead will be much kinder on your body.