Hydroxyurea side effects
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello all,
I have not been very active on the forum for the last month, being on vacation, but back to work tomorrow. By the way, I found a travel health insurance that will cover me as long as I am stable for 7 days prior to departure. That made my vacation. I found it on the internet by searching "high risk travel insurance".
During the last month I started hydroxyurea, first with 1 pill a day than 2 for a month. I had no side effectua. When I saw my hematologist for a follow up, platelets were down, but hematocrite and white blood cells continued upward. I am now on 3 pills a day, and have had a bad cold for the last 10 days, and had two episodes of cramps and diarrhea. Could all of this be side effects?
What do you think? My dr said to stop if the effects are unbearable and it is getting there.
Marie
0 likes, 18 replies
peter98873 marie-jos6518
Posted
Hydroxycarbamide is not a drug that one should prescribe one-self. It is a very powerful medicine to be administered very carefully and under the supervision of a qualified doctor (haematologist). The mis-use of this drug can bring untold problems for it is also used in the treatment of other serious diseases including Leukaemia. I would advise you to make any drug dosage changes only with the consent of your specialist who will know of the dangers. I took Hydroxycarbamide in increasing dosages over a long period of years but strictly controlled by my specialist. Despite this I still suffered some quite severe symptoms that eventually required extra medical treatments. My Haematologist considered that I should no longer take this drug which was replaced by another more suiutable one.
Hidden problems can arise if the recognised dosages are not followed. Stay well.
Peter.
marie-jos6518
Posted
Hi,
Of course, I only follow my haematologist prescription: 1 pill/day for 1 week, 2/day for 1 month. Blood test show no amelioration, and even an increase of hematocrite so he puts me on 3/day. I see him in a week to see how it is going.
I'll keep you posted of next week's results
Marie
peter98873 marie-jos6518
Posted
Thanks for your message. I was concerned that you were receiving advice to self-prescribe your own dosage of Hydroxycarbamide which is very unwise. I have already pointed out the pitfalls in doing this and know full well what my Haematologist would have to say if I went down this route. You seem very sensible but I would not wish anyone to follow this route of self-treatment and all advice must be from your specialist, as you are obviously aware. I wish you well and I hope your results are successful.
Peter.