What precautions do you take for minor procedures when living with ET?

I know my dentist and hygienist always check with my oncologist. Be sure to tell your podiatrist that you are taking HU and baby aspirin. I know for surgery, they had me stop the aspirin about a week before and three days after, and I had to stop HU 2-3 days, and wait one day after before resuming the HU

Before knee replacement surgery I had to be cleared by doctors in each specialty - not my regular hospital.
They were esp concerned with my platelet count which had been elevated due to knee pain.
I had to stop aspirin and take a blood thinner for one month - lots of additional labs.

Make sure every procedure is fully informed in advance in Writing with every condition you have and med you’re taking.

@1995victoria Thank you for the info. I am not taking HU...only baby aspirin which seems to be working.

Hi @panamsandy It’s best to contact the podiatrist to see if they require you to stop taking aspirin before your appointment. The consideration would be for a delay in clotting. But I don’t know how vascular of an area it is where the corn will be removed. It might not be an issue at all in this case. But just better to check.

But what I will suggest for aftercare, besides following the doctor’s instructions, is to make sure you elevate your foot several times per day to help promote healing. I learned the hard way that it doesn’t mean just putting your foot on a cushion or sitting in a recliner. It means lying on a sofa with the foot elevated over the heart…by resting the raised leg on the back of the sofa. Do that for at least 20 minutes a couple times per day.
Good luck with the quick procedure. It’s amazing how something so little on our feet can be such an annoyance, isn’t it? 🙄

I am Jak2 positive and will begin taking 500 mg HU twice a week. What side effects can I expect with taking such a low dose? Do you have side effects every day or just on days taking meds? I appreciate any feedback from your experience with this drug.

@loribmt Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, it's amazing how ET takes a role in so many things we take for granite. I sent a note to my H/O yesterday. I'm sure he'll recommend many of the suggestions you listed above. It's so nice to have this community to bounce things off of. Thanks again. Cheers!

@ann68

Hello, ann68.

We all experience ET differently! For those of us who take HU, again: the experience varies widely from person to person.

So all I can do is share my personal story. For about 3 years, I've been taking HU. I started with just one capsule a week. I now take 15 capsules a week. The only side effects I have are dry skin and occasional constipation.

Drinking a lot of water helps with both, and also supports our kidneys. That's great because having an MPN (like ET) may make us more vulnerable to kidney disease.

Wishing you well!

@1995victoria
Yes. They always need to know your Diagnosis and your meds so they can make an informed decision and give meds if necessary. I have had 3 surgeries to the body, one to the eyes, and ones to the eyelids. I had to prepare 7 days ahead with no HU, aspirin, or any supplements which further thin the blood. And sometimes I was given LOVENOX injection which prevents blood clots. They don't want you to bleed too much or clot. So knowing what you are taking will help them make the best decision for the best care. Of course, it depends on the surgery. My three were two hip replacements, back surgery. (L4-5 laminectomy and fusion, and cataract surgery plus eyelid and facial surgery for eyesight improvement. Also have had oral surgery and surgical skin cancer removal.