I am 70, 112 lbs , 5’4” and have been on Hydrea , 500 mg with baby aspirin since January after Jak2/ET diagnosis in September . I had no symptoms for months on Hydrea , and my platelet count dropped to 335 , but in July, I started having ear aches; fluid buildup with sharp pains behind the left ear and both ears stopping up . My local PA confirmed the fluid in both ears and put me on a round of prednisone which cleared it up . However , I still have the sharp pains, ears stopping up and dizziness . Also , I have had so much mucus in my throat , I take 2 Mucinex every day . Other side effects started to pop up ; horrific migraines , bloating and constipation. I decided to reduce the number of days on Hydrea to 4x a wk and I lost 4 lbs, bloating subsided , and ear pain was better .
My recent Oncologist visit last week showed my platelets were still great , but Oncologist/hematologist decided I should stop Hydrea and take ANA , an alternative , and go to an ENT and a GI Specialist. The pharmacy called me and said the drug would be $100/mth using my Medicare drug plan .

I have made a conscious decision to not take the chemo( which has serious side effects ) and just take 2 baby aspirin , eat healthy and continue exercising .

Also, Drs said after my DNA threading , that ET was not heredity, yet 3 family members had been diagnosed and were taking Hydrea .

Hopefully, I stay healthy . My decision isn’t for everyone , but it is mine .