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Is Essential Thrombocythemia a blood disease or cancer?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (139)Comment receiving replies
Yes, hydroxyurea is a chemotherapy drug
, but it is also used for other conditions. It is categorized as an antimetabolite, which is a class of drugs that works by interfering with DNA synthesis.
I am on this drug currently and it seems to help with my symptoms. I am a rare case, my numbers are in the 500 but suffer from all the aches that come with ET.
Hydroxyurea has been a God send, I am able to function and work again. I have recently been diagnosed 3 months ago. I will be seeing a specialist, my doctor is suggesting this due to my age being younger than the usual 60 and older group. Prayers and blessings to you!
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Hi, @rosew1969 Welcome to Connect…I’m so happy to see you here! Your positivity is infectious with your reply to @ghen in another post!
Thank you sharing your experience with ET and the benefits you’re seeing from taking hydroxyurea. I know it can be disconcerting having to be on a drug classified as a chemotherapy. But these meds can be very valuable tools with helping us to remain active and an healthy when we have a medical underlying issue.
It sounds like you must have been experiencing some pretty serious symptoms that led you to the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia (ET). If you don’t mind sharing, what type of symptoms were you noticing?