Yes, I was diagnosed and started Hydroxyurea chemo in December 2025.
I'm a 78 year old Nana , had SNFN and taking Gabapentin for several years for pain. Now new similar feet/leg pain from this chemo and Dr increased my gabapentin this week.
This is a journey with new obstacles every day.
Like this Random stabbing head pain. Now taking 2 low dose aspirin daily.
Since this is a life long chemo journey, I'm trying to be grateful and stay positive.
Do you live alone? Please let me know how you are doing. It's awesome to meet you!
Yes, I was diagnosed and started Hydroxyurea chemo in December 2025.
I'm a 78 year old Nana , had SNFN and taking Gabapentin for several years for pain. Now new similar feet/leg pain from this chemo and Dr increased my gabapentin this week.
This is a journey with new obstacles every day.
Like this Random stabbing head pain. Now taking 2 low dose aspirin daily.
Since this is a life long chemo journey, I'm trying to be grateful and stay positive.
Do you live alone? Please let me know how you are doing. It's awesome to meet you all!
Mary Ann /. Ohio
@gohde13
I have had ET since 2002 and on Hydrea for 11 years. My nails also were getting worse and worse. I have found Vital Proteins Professional Bioactive Collagen Complex a game changer, it is a powder that you mix with water and drink. I also like to use a nail strengthener called Londontown The Concealer Collection KUR Perfecting nail vail.
@lynnevb
Thank you! Iāve seen ads for Londontown and I check it out.
Iāve been taking Biotin but I will definitely look into your recommendation.
I really appreciate you💕
@nande I am also 71 and have had trouble with splitting and peeling nails before but never like this. I am trying some treatments but so far I just have to keep them short and try to minimize the amount of time my hands spend in water or drying agents like detergents.
@scienceteacher
I have been on HU only for 2 months. Not too much progress yet. No damage on nails yet, but I wanted to comment about nails. I immigrated to the U.S. 50 years ago. In the old country my nails were always strong, but here I couldn't grow them long. They always broke. I tried several different calcium pills etc. Nothing helped. Then I randomly tried a bone health supplement "Caltrate" (Haleon) and after that my nails are strong and grow fast. When I forget to shorten them I sometimes get positive comments from other ladies. š
I have never gotten used to wearing rubber gloves when I wash dishes etc. I worked in medical research, in a hospital and at the airport. My hands look old, but my nails are strong. - Hipsu ...
@colleenyoung ; @janemc ; @lea123
Hi Colleen, Now I have had my BMB and ultrasound for spleen. The BMB went well. I had conscious sedation and local lidocaine, - so minimal pain. All BMB results are not out yet.
My spleen was normal size as well as other organs like liver etc. š
I am still on HU 5 days a week and the platelets have not really come down much in 3 months. The last count was 646. š I have an appointment to see my hem doctor in about 3 weeks.
Hanging in there.
- Hipsu
@colleenyoung ; @janemc ; @lea123
Hi Colleen, Now I have had my BMB and ultrasound for spleen. The BMB went well. I had conscious sedation and local lidocaine, - so minimal pain. All BMB results are not out yet.
My spleen was normal size as well as other organs like liver etc. š
I am still on HU 5 days a week and the platelets have not really come down much in 3 months. The last count was 646. š I have an appointment to see my hem doctor in about 3 weeks.
Hanging in there.
- Hipsu
@lynnevb
Thank you! Iāve seen ads for Londontown and I check it out.
Iāve been taking Biotin but I will definitely look into your recommendation.
I really appreciate you💕
@scienceteacher
Thank you for your information . I decided to not go that route at this time as I have tried similar items with no success.
If I wear press on nails, my nails grow rapidly, but theyāre just not practical for me as I am an artist, gardener, and work at a hospital(where I constantly wash my hands or use hand sanitizer.)
Iām trying some supplements and trying Hard as Hoof cream.
I know my mom had something similar but wasnāt taking any chemotherapy.
Itās very frustrating and Iāll ask my doctor when I see him in a couple of weeks. Although, he told me to just use some polish when my nails were dark from the Hydrea.
I guess itās a small price to pay to keep my platelets in a normal range.
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Yes, I was diagnosed and started Hydroxyurea chemo in December 2025.
I'm a 78 year old Nana , had SNFN and taking Gabapentin for several years for pain. Now new similar feet/leg pain from this chemo and Dr increased my gabapentin this week.
This is a journey with new obstacles every day.
Like this Random stabbing head pain. Now taking 2 low dose aspirin daily.
Since this is a life long chemo journey, I'm trying to be grateful and stay positive.
Do you live alone? Please let me know how you are doing. It's awesome to meet you!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes, I was diagnosed and started Hydroxyurea chemo in December 2025.
I'm a 78 year old Nana , had SNFN and taking Gabapentin for several years for pain. Now new similar feet/leg pain from this chemo and Dr increased my gabapentin this week.
This is a journey with new obstacles every day.
Like this Random stabbing head pain. Now taking 2 low dose aspirin daily.
Since this is a life long chemo journey, I'm trying to be grateful and stay positive.
Do you live alone? Please let me know how you are doing. It's awesome to meet you all!
Mary Ann /. Ohio
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Hug
1 Reaction@janemc Iowa found out in 2017 it sucks
@tleona3024 yes canāt wait to get one feel so much better that is all we get I have no medicine for it just labodamies I wish they were more
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1 Reaction@lynnevb
Thank you! Iāve seen ads for Londontown and I check it out.
Iāve been taking Biotin but I will definitely look into your recommendation.
I really appreciate you💕
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@scienceteacher
I have been on HU only for 2 months. Not too much progress yet. No damage on nails yet, but I wanted to comment about nails. I immigrated to the U.S. 50 years ago. In the old country my nails were always strong, but here I couldn't grow them long. They always broke. I tried several different calcium pills etc. Nothing helped. Then I randomly tried a bone health supplement "Caltrate" (Haleon) and after that my nails are strong and grow fast. When I forget to shorten them I sometimes get positive comments from other ladies. š
I have never gotten used to wearing rubber gloves when I wash dishes etc. I worked in medical research, in a hospital and at the airport. My hands look old, but my nails are strong. - Hipsu ...
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@colleenyoung ; @janemc ; @lea123
Hi Colleen, Now I have had my BMB and ultrasound for spleen. The BMB went well. I had conscious sedation and local lidocaine, - so minimal pain. All BMB results are not out yet.
My spleen was normal size as well as other organs like liver etc. š
I am still on HU 5 days a week and the platelets have not really come down much in 3 months. The last count was 646. š I have an appointment to see my hem doctor in about 3 weeks.
Hanging in there.
- Hipsu
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@hipsu5
So glad to hear your BMB procedure went well, and that all is well with your organs.
Of course you are eager for your platelet count to go down.
Please be aware that, while HU works very quickly for some people, for others patience is required.
It took nearly 2 years for HU to bring my count down from the 700s to the 400s.
Hang in there! Hope your next appointment brings more good news!
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1 Reaction@nande I tried the Londontown treatments but had very little improvement. I think everyone is different. Good luck!
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1 Reaction@scienceteacher
Thank you for your information . I decided to not go that route at this time as I have tried similar items with no success.
If I wear press on nails, my nails grow rapidly, but theyāre just not practical for me as I am an artist, gardener, and work at a hospital(where I constantly wash my hands or use hand sanitizer.)
Iām trying some supplements and trying Hard as Hoof cream.
I know my mom had something similar but wasnāt taking any chemotherapy.
Itās very frustrating and Iāll ask my doctor when I see him in a couple of weeks. Although, he told me to just use some polish when my nails were dark from the Hydrea.
I guess itās a small price to pay to keep my platelets in a normal range.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions