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Hello. My mother just celebrated her 81st birthday and is struggling with ET and side-effects from Hydrea. She is able to be active before her daily dose, but afterward suffers from blood pressure spikes, extreme weakness and fatigue, tremors and more. She goes to the ER every month (it used to be weekly) because she is frightened she's slipping away. Can anyone share how they have managed side effects? Any resources she could use? I’m asking for her because she lives 1000 miles from me and is not able to search for herself.
Replies to "Hello. My mother just celebrated her 81st birthday and is struggling with ET and side-effects from..."
Is she also taking a baby aspirin, helps keep platelets slippery (not sticky)? Having a visiting nurse or a volunteer visitor from senior center or church might help her feel connected.
I am 81. I take Hydrea three times a week. My platelets are normal now. I remember when I was first diagnosed about three years ago and read about Hydrea how terrified I was. My biggest reaction was some hair loss initially, but that has stopped my suggestion. My suggestion is find out if she can take the Hygia before she goes to bed. I take mine in the morning but I have read many articles which says take and get a bedtime is better and then she’ll bypass the sleepiness. I wish her well.
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She needs to alert her doctor about these side effects and get his/her advice. Her dose may need to be adjusted, or she may need a different medication.