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How do You Manage Side Effects Of Hydrea or Hydroxyurea for ET?

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Mar 29, 2024 | Replies (113)
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@betherelynda

I was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia in January, and have been taking hydroxyurea since then. Between now and January, I have had minor illnesses on three ocassions. My doctor recommended that I discontinue the medication for a week each time I was sick. Recently I heard that starting and stopping the medication can increase cancer tumors. Since my disorder does not involve tumors, is there any risk in starting and stopping the medication for ET? I would appreciate any comments. Thank you.

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Replies to "I was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia in January, and have been taking hydroxyurea since then. Between..."
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 23, 2022

Welcome @betherelynda and @arti4. I moved your recent posts about essential thrombocythemia and hydroxyurea to this existing discussion:
- How do You Manage Side Effects Of Hydrea or Hydroxyurea for ET? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/side-effects-of-hydroxyurea-et/

I did this so that you can read previous posts and easily connect with knowledgeable and supportive fellow members like @pearly @huronshores @claire39 @mjpm2406 @cblowers1 @tresman10 @esperanzam @stevehurlburt @lefsequeen @markdi @dwlowrance @wa34937 @mpt77 @lzimmerman and more.

Beth, I hope others will weigh in on your question about stopping hydroxyurea temporarily while dealing with other illnesses and how that might effect the progression of ET. May I ask how long you paused hydroxyurea each time? Were the doctors concerned about drug interactions with other medications you needed to take for other conditions/illnesses?

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