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DiscussionHow do You Manage Side Effects Of Hydrea or Hydroxyurea for ET?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Mar 29 8:26pm | Replies (113)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Hi - I am new to this group and new to being diagnosis with ET (Platelets)..."
Hello, I was diagnosed in Jan with PV. I too take a baby aspirin and Hydroxyurea. I am treated with phlebotomies too when my hematocrit goes above 45. I asked if I could just do the phlebotomies more often and not take the meds and was told that you NEED to take the meds to lower the platelets and that only your hematocrit can be controlled with the phlebotomies. Does this help? How is your hematocrit? If it’s not high maybe this is why you aren’t having them? I took 500 mg of hydroxyurea 7 days a week and about 6-7 months in I went down to 3X a week which made a huge difference in the side effects. ( sensitive gums, hair loss, brown spots on skin) All have pretty much gone away. My doctor said that most people’s body can and will adjust in time. Hang in there!