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!