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Developed Rash on Hydroxyurea (HU)
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Oct 17 1:57pm | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
Agree regarding the itching - tops of hands, chest, back (where I cannot reach!), and arms. I started to get blisters on my arm from scratching it too much, so I applied OTC cortisone cream, started taking an antihistamine, and cut my fingernails very short, so if I do scratch, I am less likely to break the skin.
The other side effects for me on 500mg daily of HU (I also take two total baby aspirin a day (am and pm) are slower gut "motility," so I adjusted my diet, added even more fiber (to 40-45 grams a day now), and added some dried prunes and blueberries to my morning oatmeal. If that doesn't keep me regular, I take 1-2 tbsp. of Milk of Magnesia in the morning with 12 ozs of very warm water. It's a "juggling act," but the side effects could be worse, and my PLTS are going down from about 900k to 600k now after 6 weeks on it.
I just hope I can tolerate it long-term, since at age 75, I have very few other choices that don't have more potential side effects, and that I don't become tolerant to it, where it no longer works. Cost for medications is also very important to me, since I am not well set financially. Walgreens sells me 30 HU for a month for only about $13. If I changed to something else, I know the cost would be much higher, since I don't have drug insurance. I use the App "Good Rx."
Replies to "Agree regarding the itching - tops of hands, chest, back (where I cannot reach!), and arms...."
I have also experienced “motility” issues over the past few months and decided it might just not be aging. And, since I love prunes, a couple in the evening solves that. But, I’ve also found cabbage/sauerkraut (slaw, soup) is very helpful and I love it.
My grandmothers go to for just about anything that ailed ( I think she would have used it for a broken bone!) you was Milk of Magnesia! But, she didn’t dilute it! Ugh.
I found a tub of retinol cream that I use on my hands and arms every night and that has really helped my hands itching.
And, when I started on HU few years ago a 90 day supply was about $168.00. Now, it’s $46.00. And, that’s with Medicare and supp.
Get an adjustable back scratcher! Works wonders.
I was about 72 when I started on HU. 77 now. So, hold a good thought.
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Yes, financial cost of meds and health care generally is a concern for me, too. Glad you found GoodRx. I get meds thru my hospital system's Medicare Advance program that are about 30 percent cheaper than chain pharmacies. It pays to shop around.
Re gastric/motility issues: My husband was pushing probiotics after consulting Dr Google, so I slapped that down. But then the hemo suggested it, and they did make a diff for me. I think yogurt would be just as good, but I have some lactose intolerance.