I've been on Hydroxyurea for a month now and my fingernails are blue, why?

Posted , 4 users are following.

What should I do about my blue fingernails? Could it be that my blood red cells are lacking oxygen?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello, Giga.

    I was diagnosed with PRV after suffering with blue fingernails for a couple of months. It was wintertime and so I put off doing anything about it. Silly me.

    I would contact your GP today and mention it. S/he can then advise you about what to do or contact your haematologist on your behalf for a more detailed opinion.

    • Posted

      I have heard this can happen , what is your dose, I’m  on 2 a day  for the last 4 years with no effects .
    • Posted

      I don’t take any drugs. I only have venesections.

      I don’t have blue fingers now but, as I say, I did have them before I was diagnosed and given my first venesection. At the time of my diagnosis, my haematocrit was almost 60.

      Blue fingernails would seem to indicate that something about Giga’s treatment has not been finetuned but what exactly that is I can’t say.

  • Posted

    Hi Giga,

    Could be that the hydroxy has caused your blood to thicken and presented a circulatory problem in your hands.   In most cases this would probably be cured by using a small dose of soluble aspirin, but if the discolouring has now ceased as seems to be the case maybe things have settled down to a more normal situation.  Hydroxy is a very strong drug that needs medical supervision.  I would very much support what Angela has suggested and discuss your symptoms with the doctors looking after you.   Don't take a chance with your health particularly when dealing with Polycythemia etc.  Your diagnosis is quite recent for this complaint and your treatment will be personally suited to you as an individual but it can take a little while to be effected.

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