Hello @1pearl. We talked a while back. I've been diagnosed with PV about 8 or 9 months ago and opted for the Wait & Observe route, together with a healthy lifestyle and diet. Is that the case for you too? I have been extremely fit and healthy my whole life which I think might have something to do with 55 years of daily yoga and meditation + gym + still riding (and loving) my motorcycle at age 76. Wondering though... Are most participants on this bulletin board suffering from the side effects of hydrea, while people who have had no such side effects remain silent? And are there other people like me who are maybe willing to do an occasional phlobotomy but choose to stay away from heavy-duty drugs and they too remain silent observers on this bulletin board? I would very much like to hear from them.