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Essential Thrombocythemia (ET): foods, diet, nutrition?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Sep 15 8:03am | Replies (112)Comment receiving replies
Just a head's up about Hydroxyurea and long term side effects.
I was diagnosed with ET 27 years ago at 39 years of age.
Platelet count 1.5mil
Started treatment with Anagrelide and then was switched to HU after 2 years because of heart palpitations, and was told it would be safer. (at that time, there was no talk of asprin and close monitoring as there is now for asymptomatic people)
Felt fine, numbers in the 500's, a little tired but really very few side affects.
15 years in, I developed a bad case of locally advanced basel cell carcinoma on my scalp. Did you know that one of the long term affects of continued use of HU is skin cancer? Read up on that. Fortunately for me after seeing specialist after specialist with a HUGE range of treatment options, I went for starting with an immunotheraphy cream which miraculously worked.
But I immediately went off HU and started Anagrelide.
Beware of taking any of these treatments long term.
And do not worry so much about being below 400
Replies to "Just a head's up about Hydroxyurea and long term side effects. I was diagnosed with ET..."
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Hi @nancyr,
When I started HU I was immediately given an information sheet from Chemocare explaining everything about HU. It did mention sun exposure and skin cancers. I have also done a lot of research on the Mayo Clinic and MPN sites. I am very prone to skin cancers and see dermatologist twice a year. I am taking 500 mg HU four days a week. I agree, I am not worried about getting it below 400.
May I ask what immunotherapy cream you use? Also, did you have palpitations again restarting Anagrelide? My hematologist has mentioned Anagrelide but I have been reluctant to take it as my AFib seems to be under control. I do take a blood thinner for AFib.
Many thanks, Eileen