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@markdi

this is my first time on this site. I have had ET diagnosed at 50 and 65 now. I have been from 400 to 700 on my platelets and have been doing overall good on one baby aspirin day. Mayo as well as two other doctors wanted me start on Hydrea which I was not thrilled about as I am still doing triathlons and not happy about taking a chemo drug. Started at 500 mil three times a week for the first month and went from 700 to 510 without any side effects. Doctors still wanted me below 400 so the went to one pill a day. Started to notice side effects of severe fatigue staring at about 2 pm every day. I still work full time so was effecting my job greatly. Next test I was still at 510 so they doctor had me go to 2 pills a day and side effects became much greater. Flue like all day long, stomach issues and much greater fatigue. Stoped taking for 1 day and feel better but started 1 pill a day and the severe effects came back right away. It has now been two days without the pill and still feel awful. Anybody else have this experience? Does you body adjust to this or does it escalate.

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Replies to "this is my first time on this site. I have had ET diagnosed at 50 and..."

Hello markdi.....I also have ET and MPN and have been taking Hydrea for three years. I have the occasional nausea but not often enough to complain about. Before I started taking it I had extreme itchiness on my scalp but after starting Hydrea it gradually reduced. I have very little itchiness now. I do not have other symptoms that I think are related but I do have fatigue on different levels. I could not manage without Hydrea. Hope this is helpful and all the best......Claire