Thank you, Colleen!
I paused hydroxyurea one week each time. The first time was for Covid in February, second time was for unknown (perhaps flu or cold), and this time for Covid again last week. I didn't have to take any other drugs during my illnesses, and I don't take anything else. Hydroxyurea is my only medicaton.
Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Lynda

Hello! I have been taking hydroxyurea for ET since 1994 when I was 39. Wow, that's almost 30 years! I have never discontinued HU usage during any illnesses, and I've never heard that I should. I've since had a brain aneurysm hemorrhage and subsequent stroke, so, honestly, I wasn't aware enough at that time to think about medications during that month of so of hospitalization. At one point when I was on the youngish side, I became worried about potential side effects of HU and was told by a Mayo hematologist I could stop. But after I stopped I had a few TIAs and just decided it was too risky to go off. I've never had any side effects from HU. I just take my 500 mg daily with my vitamins any old time of day and never give it another thought. I'm actually taking an extra 500 mg twice a week right now, as my numbers were creeping up a bit. Over the years my HU dosage has changed a bit here and there. I can tell when I start having a lot of headaches. But, honestly, my life is as normal as can be with ET and HU. I don't waste any precious life moments worrying about it 🙂 The brain aneurysm bleed was far scarier. It happened after an intense exercise session. So, my motto henceforth: too much exercise kills--haha! Chill and enjoy life!

I am booked for long awaited hip replacement surgery end of August. May have to pause Hydroxyurea briefly then. I have not been advised as yet but will see Hematologist soon so he will advise then. I will post again, as to what he said to do.

I did not stop taking Hydroxyurea when I had knee surgery nor for any general illnesses with one exception. Once when I became ill with an infection in my fingers and having flu like symptoms (not Covid as I was tested 4 times), my white count got quite low. So, I was taken off Hydroxyurea for a short time until my white count came back up. I am doing just fine back on it. My doctor was not concerned with me being off of Hydroxyurea, nor continuing it during surgeries or general illnesses. I have not experienced Covid yet, so I cannot comment on being advised to stop or continue Hydroxyurea in those cases.

The conclusion for my one time exception was that I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic medication which caused my immune system to fight both the infection and the allergic reaction causing my blood counts to get too low. Since I also broke out in hives and had major itching, that made sense.