Yes, for me HU has a constipating effect, which also means occasional acid reflux.
Following advice from nohrt4me, I drink LOTS of water. I also work to add fiber to my diet. Pretzels, Wheat Chex, whole-grain bread, apples are some suggestions.
On HU for 2.5 years now. I take 1000 mg 6 days a week, 1500 mg on the 7th day.
Yes, constipation here. It's a documented side effect of HU. I upped my dietary fiber, take probiotics at oncologist's suggestion, and take Miralax if I have a day without a bm. Tums for acid reflux occasionally. It's manageable.
I definitely have acid reflux which on its own can cause its own problems. I told my Dr. who gave me a prescription medication telling me we need to be careful with which medication we take because of drug interactions ..I took the medication I've been prescribed and it took care of the reflux immediately..I took it for a week and I haven't needed it since...However, was told that start the medication again it the acid reflux returns..
I wouldn't just take anything discuss this with your hematologist.
I definitely have acid reflux which on its own can cause its own problems. I told my Dr. who gave me a prescription medication telling me we need to be careful with which medication we take because of drug interactions ..I took the medication I've been prescribed and it took care of the reflux immediately..I took it for a week and I haven't needed it since...However, was told that start the medication again it the acid reflux returns..
I wouldn't just take anything discuss this with your hematologist.
I don't know what HU is but I have myelodysplastic syndromes which is a bone marrow cancer. There is no cure or there are no meds available. Anyways, since I diagnosis I have constipation and I found taking 250mg or 500mg of over the counter magnesium once a day and it has made thing flow a lot better. And I also have stomach acid. For that I found if I mix about 1/4 of a level tea spoon of baking soda with water it makes me feel like a 20 year old in 15 mins. Others said they take tums for acid.
I don't know what HU is but I have myelodysplastic syndromes which is a bone marrow cancer. There is no cure or there are no meds available. Anyways, since I diagnosis I have constipation and I found taking 250mg or 500mg of over the counter magnesium once a day and it has made thing flow a lot better. And I also have stomach acid. For that I found if I mix about 1/4 of a level tea spoon of baking soda with water it makes me feel like a 20 year old in 15 mins. Others said they take tums for acid.
I don't know what HU is but I have myelodysplastic syndromes which is a bone marrow cancer. There is no cure or there are no meds available. Anyways, since I diagnosis I have constipation and I found taking 250mg or 500mg of over the counter magnesium once a day and it has made thing flow a lot better. And I also have stomach acid. For that I found if I mix about 1/4 of a level tea spoon of baking soda with water it makes me feel like a 20 year old in 15 mins. Others said they take tums for acid.
Hi @twitt1949 Just popping into the conversation regarding your diagnosis of myelodyplastic syndromes (MDS). Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of disorders in which a person’s bone marrow does not produce enough functioning blood cells. The abnormal cells can proliferate out of control, crowding out the remaining healthy blood cells.
You’ve mentioned that there is no cure for this condition and no drugs are available. That’s what prompted me to drop into the conversation. At this time a bone marrow transplant is the only potential cure for MDS. If that isn’t an option for you, there are several forms of treatment available for patients with MDS. While they are not cures for MDS, they can help slow the progression of the disease.
We have many members in the forum who have MDS who take these meds.
Have you discussed treatment options with your hematologist oncologist?
Yes, I would absolutely be interested in what you say and your group. My doctor says at my age (77), bone marrow transplant is not an option. I would be interested in your meds and I would discuss them with my doctor. Whats next?
Yes, I would absolutely be interested in what you say and your group. My doctor says at my age (77), bone marrow transplant is not an option. I would be interested in your meds and I would discuss them with my doctor. Whats next?
Hi @twitt1949 This discussion about treatment options for your MDS is one you should be having with your hematologist oncologist. While the bone marrow transplant may no longer be an option for you, there are several medications such Azacitidine (Vidaza), Decitabine (Dacogen) and others which may help to slow the progression or help compensate for lower blood cell counts.
I guess I’m a little surprised your doctor hasn’t mentioned any treatment options. With MDS, often there is one or more blood cell groups that are lower than normal. How are your blood counts? Are your red blood levels low or your platelets?
There are several types of MDS. Knowing the specific type can help determine the appropriate treatment plan. Do you know if your doctor has diagnosied your specific type?
Yes, for me HU has a constipating effect, which also means occasional acid reflux.
Following advice from nohrt4me, I drink LOTS of water. I also work to add fiber to my diet. Pretzels, Wheat Chex, whole-grain bread, apples are some suggestions.
On HU for 2.5 years now. I take 1000 mg 6 days a week, 1500 mg on the 7th day.
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5 ReactionsYes, constipation here. It's a documented side effect of HU. I upped my dietary fiber, take probiotics at oncologist's suggestion, and take Miralax if I have a day without a bm. Tums for acid reflux occasionally. It's manageable.
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Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsI definitely have acid reflux which on its own can cause its own problems. I told my Dr. who gave me a prescription medication telling me we need to be careful with which medication we take because of drug interactions ..I took the medication I've been prescribed and it took care of the reflux immediately..I took it for a week and I haven't needed it since...However, was told that start the medication again it the acid reflux returns..
I wouldn't just take anything discuss this with your hematologist.
Jacqueline Carey.
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5 Reactions@jackiecarey what acid reflux med?
@bobala
Jacqueline is so right: ask your doctor what medication would be best for you.
I don't know what HU is but I have myelodysplastic syndromes which is a bone marrow cancer. There is no cure or there are no meds available. Anyways, since I diagnosis I have constipation and I found taking 250mg or 500mg of over the counter magnesium once a day and it has made thing flow a lot better. And I also have stomach acid. For that I found if I mix about 1/4 of a level tea spoon of baking soda with water it makes me feel like a 20 year old in 15 mins. Others said they take tums for acid.
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2 Reactions@twitt1949
"HU" is hydroxyurea, also called hydrea.
Thank you for sharing your helpful suggestions!
Hi @twitt1949 Just popping into the conversation regarding your diagnosis of myelodyplastic syndromes (MDS). Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of disorders in which a person’s bone marrow does not produce enough functioning blood cells. The abnormal cells can proliferate out of control, crowding out the remaining healthy blood cells.
You’ve mentioned that there is no cure for this condition and no drugs are available. That’s what prompted me to drop into the conversation. At this time a bone marrow transplant is the only potential cure for MDS. If that isn’t an option for you, there are several forms of treatment available for patients with MDS. While they are not cures for MDS, they can help slow the progression of the disease.
We have many members in the forum who have MDS who take these meds.
Have you discussed treatment options with your hematologist oncologist?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes, I would absolutely be interested in what you say and your group. My doctor says at my age (77), bone marrow transplant is not an option. I would be interested in your meds and I would discuss them with my doctor. Whats next?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi @twitt1949 This discussion about treatment options for your MDS is one you should be having with your hematologist oncologist. While the bone marrow transplant may no longer be an option for you, there are several medications such Azacitidine (Vidaza), Decitabine (Dacogen) and others which may help to slow the progression or help compensate for lower blood cell counts.
Here’s a little more information for you regarding MDS (myelodyplastic syndromes)
~This from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myelodysplastic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20366977
~This from American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/myelodysplastic-syndrome/about/what-is-mds.html
~From Healthline.com https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/mds-hematology
I guess I’m a little surprised your doctor hasn’t mentioned any treatment options. With MDS, often there is one or more blood cell groups that are lower than normal. How are your blood counts? Are your red blood levels low or your platelets?
There are several types of MDS. Knowing the specific type can help determine the appropriate treatment plan. Do you know if your doctor has diagnosied your specific type?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions