Side effects w/ Zepbound and Hydroxyurea? Dx Essential thrombocythemia

I'm so sorry for what you are experiencing, kae89.

It's great HU has lowered your platelet count so quickly!

I'm wondering if HU might be causing constipation for you, as it does for me.

Have you tried upping the fiber in your diet? Do you like yogurt, which can benefit our GI systems? Are you drinking LOTS of water? I try for a half gallon every day.

Do you like walking, biking -- anything you'd enjoy doing every day?

Hope others will chime in with their suggestions. Please let us know if acupuncture helps you!

You could try asking your hematologist about possible drug interactions; however, I've found it's easier/faster to sit down with your pharmacist and review all your meds for possible interactions and side effects. My pharmacist did this for me and worked out a dosage schedule to make sure I wasn't creating interaction issues. Most will do this if you ask.

@janemc yes, on constipation but deal with that using Mirafiber gummies, which taste very good and occasional laxative). I definitely need to drink more water.( I still drink one regular Coke a day for energy…but know that water should take it’s place) I love yogurt but only the flavored Yoplait whips like coconut cream and their regular line too. I’m not sedentary at all…can’t due to hip replacement a few years ago. Mostly yardwork, landscaping. I still feel tired at times but always push on with my day. I care for my own cats and a two feral outside so I’m up and down all day long. I have decided though to quit the Zepbound for now, as I am only 15 lbs away from my goal weight. I The chronic insomnia is what troubles me most. I checked drug interactions and didn’t get any matches for the constant day through night quiet burping and insomnia. The acupuncture group which is tied to my cancer center also has yoga classes which may help. I also learned that HU alone can cause anorexia. I’ve noticed my diet is mostly protein drinks, fruit, creamy sauces rather than anything acidic. Really have to force myself to eat meat or any dense food.

@debhammel yes I agree my pharmacist is more likely to have the most updated interactions for drugs, especially since Zepbound (tirzepatide) is fairly new to the market. Thank you so much for posting.

@kae89

All that physical activity is awesome! And from another animal lover, warmest thanks for taking care of all the cats.

You're being careful with your diet, so the relentless GI symptoms must be really frustrating.

And you must be so worn out.

Here's hoping acupuncture can help; yoga sounds promising too.

But if not -- has a doctor ever suggested a prescription to help you sleep? Believe it or not, there are safe, non habit-forming medications available.

How do I know that? Because I take one from time to time. I'm so glad to have that option.

ET already steals our energy. You really, really need your rest.

I was once obese and weighed 233 lbs and had just been diagnosed with Type2 Diabetes. This was in 2007. At that time, I had been reading "The Paleo Diet" by Loren Cordain and I had read enough to know that the diet would cure my Type 2 Diabetes. So, 2 days after my diagnosis, I began the diet. At 2 weeks, I had lost 47 lbs. the weight loss slowed down after this and I knew, from the book, that this is normal. It's because, as you lose weight, you have less weight left to lose. Anyway, by 5 months, my diabetes was completely gone. By 8 months, I had lost all the weight I could and had reached what Cordain calls the "set point," i.e, the natural limit of my weight. At that time, this was 160 lbs. I remain in the 160s from then until 2023, when I quit eating fruit because it is a source of sugar. After that, my weight dropped to the 150s for the first time since my 30s. I now weigh 153, for about 5 weeks. So, anyway, my advice is to discontinue the Zepbound and all other dangerous drugs and try the paleolithic diet instead. It is a completely natural way of not only losing weight, but of living, as well.