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Anyone else find the side effects of Hydrea 500MG frightening?

Posted by eddb @eddb, Oct 1, 2023

I was diagnosed with having a blood cancer that looks and acts a lot like Polycythemia Vera (PV) about 6 years ago. I’ve been rolling along ok with (mostly monthly) phlebotomies, until a year or so ago. At that point my white blood cells and (most importantly) my platelet levels started to increase. The doc did a 2nd bone marrow extraction but I STILL tested negative for PV. After a CT scan and other tests were done to rule out any possible hidden bodily infections, my doc prescribed Hydrea 500 MG. I filled the script about a week and a half ago…and it is still sitting in a bag on my counter, unopened. I got seriously freaked out when I researched the drug and found all those nasty side effects associated with the drug.

Now, I’m sitting here knowing that my platelet count as of 3 days ago was 987 (over twice the normal level limit) and that I could throw a blood clot at anytime. I was holding off taking the drug, to get an appointment with a hematologist/oncologist for a 2nd opinion, but that appointment isn’t for another 10 days - I’m a nervous wreck! I do not want to take the chance with hydrea but I don’t want to clot. I don’t even have a real diagnosis other than suspicion of bone marrow cancer or the beginning stages of it….

I’d be curious to hear about what others have experienced while on this drug. Much appreciated!

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | 7 hours ago
In reply to @garyr443 "@loribmt Thank you, Lori! I couldn't have asked for a more complete explanation. About the juice..." + (show)
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@loribmt Thank you, Lori! I couldn't have asked for a more complete explanation. About the juice bust, I figure I was up against something much more complex than Type 2 Diabetes, and what you've written here certainly confirms that's the case. Ah, but there were some things about the cranberry juice that I really did enjoy (no, not so much the flavor!), such as a moderating effect on body pain, especially in my feet, and I noticed an increase in my balance and coordination. I sure missed all this today when I was out doing photography!

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Hi @garyr443 Just wondering, Is there any reason you can’t still take the cranberry juice daily even though you’re back on the HU and the BP med? I ran a drug interaction and there aren’t any contraindications between cranberry, lisinopril and HU.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the unsweetened cranberry juice were certainly noticed by you over the month with less pain and an increase in balance and coordination. Not sure why you can’t have some in moderation. I drink unsweetened Monterey cherry juice daily. (1 ounce Concentrated juice gets mixed with 8 oz water). I think it would be similar in properties as your cran juice. Just a thought…

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garyr443 | @garyr443 | 2 hours ago
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @garyr443 Just wondering, Is there any reason you can’t still take the cranberry juice daily..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

Hi @garyr443 Just wondering, Is there any reason you can’t still take the cranberry juice daily even though you’re back on the HU and the BP med? I ran a drug interaction and there aren’t any contraindications between cranberry, lisinopril and HU.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the unsweetened cranberry juice were certainly noticed by you over the month with less pain and an increase in balance and coordination. Not sure why you can’t have some in moderation. I drink unsweetened Monterey cherry juice daily. (1 ounce Concentrated juice gets mixed with 8 oz water). I think it would be similar in properties as your cran juice. Just a thought…

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@loribmt Well, I wondered about this, myself. Since the cranberry juice didn't do anything that affected my platelet count (didn't lower it), I doubt it would interfere with the Hydroxyurea. As for the Lisinopril, though, the cranberry juice was keeping my bloodpressure normal, so there could be an interaction between it and the Lisinopril. It might lower my bloodpressure by too much. I take a 10mg dosage of Lisinopril, which works perfectly on its own. Perhaps I could lower my dosage of the cranberry juice, to maybe once every other day or once every two days?

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