Essential Thrombocytosis: What amount of hydroxy do you take?

Hello, I do not have ET but I do have PV which is the ugly sister of ET. PV is one of the MPNs. I became a member of the PV club in 2018. I originally took 500 mg of Hydroxyurea "Hydra" that is what my doctor calls it twice a day. My platelets are under control so now I am taking 500 mg only once a day in the morning. I have not noticed any difference. I have super fatigue around 7 pm every day. I eat dinner then hibernate like a bear all night. I plan all my brain-intensive activities in the morning. I go to a gymnasium 3 times a week and feel much better because of it. I volunteer a lot at my military veteran's clubs and stay active. Just turning 65 and plan to be around for a long time. I love to watch the bluegrass grow. Good luck to you from the heartland of America, Kentucky USA.

Merry Christmas to you too Claire, from your Canadian neighbour to the east (New Brunswick)

I take 500 mg 5 days a week and 1000 mg on Saturday and Sunday. I’m wondering if my fatigue could be age related, instead of a side effect of hydroxyurea…..I am 69, and slowing down in a lot of things, even though I still exercise 4 or 5 times a week, trying to stay ‘fit’. But I have found I can’t do nearly as much as I used to be able to do in the same length of time. Efficiency is a thing of the past! And I need to write down all the chores that I want to get done! 😉 But I have to say there is a feeling of satisfaction when I get to check them off! 😂

Good morning Bluegrasspv2018……I take 500mg five days a week, originally I took 7 but was reduced because of extreme fatigue. It seem to have helped but I still am fatigued more than I would like to be. Every day is a struggle and I usually have to go to bed early, sometimes in the afternoon but I deal with it accordingly. Good luck to you from Ontario, Canada………land of snow and ice, lol………Claire

Hi Clare39
Where in Ontario are you from ?
I’m in Toronto ON ! Would love to connect with you sometime!
Diane

Hi Everyone.....Wishing you all the warmest, family filled holidays. Since my platelet count has dropped back into the normal range, for the time being, my oncologist has me on hold at 4 hydroxyurea 500 mg a week. That part seems to be working......Getting this diagnosis of ET Jak2, was alarming..... What is new, is the intense areas of itching, that although I scratch a lot, I have never abraded my skin....I scratch through my clothes. What I do have is very big bruises after a couple of days. In addition to that, I have developed positional vertigo......very disconcerting. I just have to remember not to turn my head too fast....my eyes move back and forth as they try to focus...just rolling over in bed can cause this. I frequently am dizzy without the vertigo feeling.....more light headed type of feeling. I guess I need to get used to this as it is part (possibly) of the side effects for some of us who are taking the hydroxyurea. At least my platelet count is normal, so I am not looking at clot or stroke possibilities. I am so grateful! Blessings to all of you during this holiday season, and thank you for this very informative and helpful website. Ginger

Hi Everyone.....Wishing you all the warmest, family filled holidays. Since my platelet count has dropped back into the normal range, for the time being, my oncologist has me on hold at 4 hydroxyurea 500 mg a week. That part seems to be working......Getting this diagnosis of ET Jak2, was alarming..... What is new, is the intense areas of itching, that although I scratch a lot, I have never abraded my skin....I scratch through my clothes. What I do have is very big bruises after a couple of days. In addition to that, I have developed positional vertigo......very disconcerting. I just have to remember not to turn my head too fast....my eyes move back and forth as they try to focus...just rolling over in bed can cause this. I frequently am dizzy without the vertigo feeling.....more light headed type of feeling. I guess I need to get used to this as it is part (possibly) of the side effects for some of us who are taking the hydroxyurea. At least my platelet count is normal, so I am not looking at clot or stroke possibilities. I am so grateful! Blessings to all of you during this holiday season, and thank you for this very informative and helpful website. Ginger

You should report the dizziness to your Md. I am betting Physical Therapy can assist with the dizziness, especially if you say your eyes are moving back and forth when you turn in bed. There are various treatments the PT can give you.