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Started Hydroxyurea: How long to see decrease in counts?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Apr 16 1:30pm | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
I have ET with JAK2 mutation. It took 22 weeks taking 500mg HU once daily to drop my platelets from 628 to 498. At that point I stopped HU for 3 months because of lethargy, brain fog, and (for the first time in my life) migraines. Platelets were 628 when I started back on HU 500mg 3 times weekly. At my most recent checkup, four months after restarting HU, platelets were 587 which is in the target range set by my hematologist. Lethargy persists, but there's less brain fog if I'm sleeping well and headaches are rare.
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For me, the brain fog and lethargy were worse before HU, and ocular migraines went away after I started HU. But I have heard many fellow patients say the trouble started with HU, so I don't doubt it. I am also CALR+, and I wonder if that makes a difference. I wish they would study this.
Brain fog is common with infused chemo for acute cancers. So I wonder if HU, mild as it is, has that effect for some. Again, would be good to know if it's disease or meds.
My doc told me that the lethargy/fatigue are common symptoms of any blood cancer, along with the night sweats. I keep my bedroom cold and exercise to fight the lethargy. Helps.