My best reaction to the drug Hydrea is that it has now reduced my platelets to within the normal range in just 3 months. I started out taking 500 mg daily but was boosted up to three days a week to 1000 mg. I have had no side effects whatsoever to the drug except maybe a tad bit more fatigue. Like some of the others, I work thru that. The sun has not bothered my skin and I haven’t lost any hair although when I started the drug I also started taking a tablet of biotin everyday. I’m 74 and two days ago I ran 5 miles and yesterday I kayaked 10 miles so I’d say this drug has not crimped my life style. I hope you have great luck with your treatment. I was so anxious to start this drug but now I’m pretty sure it’s a longer life saver.