Based on what I read here from so many patients is that ET patients need oncology clinics to provide some info about HU to patients newly prescribed before they start taking it. Discuss nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, skin changes, dosing strategy, importance of blood monitoring, proper handling and storage of pills, alcohol and smoking risks, need for condoms, long term effects and how those could be addressed. My original oncologist told me the chemo nurse would do a phone consult. She never called, so I phoned in. She just about laughed in my face. "We don't counsel for HU. Just go get your pills and start taking them." I get that a 60 year old with an indolent chronic cancer doesn't need as much hand holding as a teenager with acute lymphoma. But geez! I got more info and reassurance from the Rite Aid pharmacist when I picked up my HU.