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Essential Thrombocythemia: Making treatment decisions
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (201)Comment receiving replies
Have been on hydroxyurea for 7 years. I cut my dose to half for the first 5 years but then my platelets went up and up. I cut back occasionally with doctor guidance when my red and white cells dip too low but always need to go back on as my platelets shoot up again. Sorry.
Replies to "Have been on hydroxyurea for 7 years. I cut my dose to half for the first..."
I most always take half the prescribed dosage. I cannot take the fatigue and absolute malais that I feel when I take 1000mg per day. I keep the count under 1 million. I drive my doctor crazy but for me it’s about the quality of life. I am 72 and have been taking hydrea since I turned 60. The only health risk factor I have is being over 60
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I've had all 6 covid vaccine shots, with no increase (or decrease) in platelets. Shingrix (shingles vaccine) lowered my platelets for a month or two, I'm too risk adverse when it comes to strokes or heart attacks from blood clots, I'd rather stick with the HU to keep my platelets within normal range.