Hydroxyurea and Sun Exposure

Posted by johnnychips @johnnychips, Apr 28 1:28pm

I recently started taking Hydroxyurea (for ET) with seemingly minimal side effects if any. However, I've been reading about having to avoid the sun rays when taking the drug because of potential photosensitivity, rashes, sunburn and even skin cancer. I love the sun and planning on a getaway to the Caribbean armed with SPF 30 sunscreen. How paranoid should I be in spending time in the sun?

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irishnanny3 | @irishnanny3 | 1 day ago

In reply to @irishnanny3 "@1995victoria Great advice. I’ve been on hydroxyurea since 2018 and have developed multiple skin cancers, several..." + (show)

@irishnanny3
Sure everyone knows I meant “med”😂

janemc | @janemc | 1 day ago

In reply to @irishnanny3 "@irishnanny3 Sure everyone knows I meant “med”😂" + (show)

@irishnanny3

I loved your skin-cancer-preventing bed concept!

Much better than a tanning bed!!

garyr443 | @garyr443 | 15 hours ago

The worst side effect I have experienced with Hydroxyurea is the destruction of some of my red blood cells, leading to a low red cell count. Anyone else have this effect?

garyr443 | @garyr443 | 15 hours ago

In reply to @jodyjazz "@garyr443 Well this is another thing you can thank HU for, besides keeping your platelets lower...." + (show)

@jodyjazz Have you seen anything about using ginger to control platelet count? I'm especially interested in using ginger oil on my face to both protect from the sun and to remove rashes.

biggermike3 | @biggermike3 | 12 hours ago

I have been taking Hydroxyurea for 10 months now and last week I went in and them take blood and my platelets final came down to 366 so now I have to go back every 3 months know. Three months ago when I went in to checked my platelets level was 446.

nohrt4me (Jean) | @nohrt4me | 27 minutes ago

In reply to @garyr443 "The worst side effect I have experienced with Hydroxyurea is the destruction of some of my..." + (show)

@garyr443 Yes, HU can reduce all blood cell counts. The trick is to find the HU dose that addresses platelet over production but doesn't tank everything else.

Remember that blood counts do fluctuate normally. So it's important to look at whether yr red cell number is not just reduced but below normal.

If you are dipping into below- or above-normal levels with anything, that would be something to discuss with your doc or hemo nurse.

In my experience 18 years w ET, 8 on HU), even if a number dips a bit below normal, they'll wait another 3-6 months to see if it recovers on its own.

Also, my hospital system has narrowed the normal range for several blood counts. So my other blood cells may not have taken dropped much, but suddenly they're classified as low.

janemc | @janemc | 17 minutes ago

In reply to @biggermike3 "I have been taking Hydroxyurea for 10 months now and last week I went in and..." + (show)

@biggermike3

Congrats on getting your count down so fast!

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