Hydroxyurea and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Hod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2021

For Polycythemia Vera "After a few months of taking this medicine, I had severe joint pain, making it very difficult to walk. At one point, all of my joints hurt. I went to the ER once I could make it to the car. They could not find the problem. Next, to the primary care doctor, more blood work. I then saw a rheumatologist who did more blood work - nothing. Then I looked up side effects of the medicine and found that joint pain is a rare side effect. Went back to my oncologist and let her know what I found. She took me off the medicine, and within days, my joint pain was better. Very upsetting since I had asked already could it be the drug. Three doctors failed to check side effects! Back to phlebotomy."

• 070...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2022

For Polycythemia Vera "Hydroxyurea has been very good for me. I have been diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera about 7 months ago. After a few months of phlebotomies with no success, I started on hydroxyurea, and the results have been great. All my numbers are in acceptable ranges, and the only side effect has been joint pain in my feet. I had to get off the medication when I contracted COVID, and all of the disease symptoms roared back. After being back on it for a couple of months, my numbers are back to normal, and I feel great."

• gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2023

For Thrombocythemia "Worked well to control platelet count. Caused muscle soreness, hair loss, joint pain, increased depression, exhaustion, and possibly 'chemo brain.'"