Hi @judgerg. You’re quite the inspiration for anyone newly diagnosed with ET and prescribed Hydroxyurea, such as @mfeley. It’s very encouraging that you’ve been using HU for 11 years with limited side effects.
Life with ET certainly hasn’t slowed you down with having a horse ranch in Colorado. That’s a full time labor of love! But how rewarding and what a beautiful environment! Nature is healing! Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Do you take your HU in the morning or evening?

I was diagnosed with ET on Feb 3 due to very high platelets and some symptoms that I took as normal. Currently I am on HU 500 daily and low dose aspirin. They also did some genetic testing and waiting for some results. On March 17 th I will have a bone marrow biopsy and then April 7th a consult to discuss a plan. After 3 weeks on HU most aches have disappeared, headaches and blurry vision and my platelets have gone down.
Presently I am in Az where I have found the HU is causing sun sensitivity and some burning on my inner thighs after riding my horse and biking. Walking my dogs lessens it.
We return to Wisconsin shortly where there isn’t much hot weather now.
This was quite a shock to get this diagnosis since I was just going in to check my vitamin D level for my prolia shot. I was feeling normal so I thought.
I’ll take this diagnosis and medicine if it means what the Hemotology doctor says that I can live for many more years. I am 73.
I’ve been reading this blog for a few weeks and finally decided to comment. I really appreciate all the enteries since the information really helps adjust to the diagnosis of cancer.