I took a week off work when I started HU. I thought I might feel sick. I went back after two days. No nausea, no ill effects. After a couple of weeks I actually felt better because the fatigue was gone. Not something you expect from chemo, but my hemo confirmed that many people do feel better.

The effect, as you can see from many here, is individual. A few people have trouble. Many find it does not worsen symptoms. A few of us weirdos actually feel zippier!

I think the standard spiel is that doctors get nervous about prescribing it for more than 20 years. I started it at 63, so really wasn't worried about that 20-year rule. And there are people here who have been on HU for more than 20 years.

Bottom line, you won't know how it affects you until you take it.

Also, I have never had a clot or hemmorhage. My dad had ET also, went undiagnosed until his 70s, when he had leg clots and bad circulation. Not fun dealing with that. His experience made me open to taking meds when I was diagnosed.