Hydrea Alternatives Compared

For Anemia, Sickle Cell: Hello. I have Sickle Cell Disease-SS Hemoglobin. My hematologist started me on Hydrea in 2001 & I'm still on it. I'm in my early 40's & it had helped me. I take 4 capsules 500 mg now, but in 2001, my blood count was extremely low. Once on it, it had increased my red cell count, while my white cell count decreased (which it's suppose to do). I have less amount of hospital admissions now. But I have to admit, even though doctors may think it's like a "cure", it's NOT! I've lately been having small pain crisis in joints that made me go to ER but not admitted about 3 months out of entire year. My RBC & WBC counts are still looking good. You HAVE to keep your doctor appointments & tests while on this medication. I do have extreme nausea & have to skip a day sometimes. This medication may work on one Sickler but NOT on another. Now we have another alternative. I hope my experience will help other Sicklers see pros & cons. But we FINALLY have a choice now!

For Anemia, Sickle Cell: Hydroxyurea significantly improves the frequency of sickle cell crisis, but it has a long list of adverse effects. But if the dose is monitored properly and complete blood count of patient is done on regular basis, than some of the adverse effects can be easily identified and managed accordingly.

For Thrombocythemia: Hi, Female age 40, essential thrombocythaemia (ET) diagnosis for over 11 years. Was on hydroxyurea about 8 years ago and wasn’t feeling anywhere near as poorly as now, on one tablet a day for the last two weeks. Platelets before I started were about 1100. Platelets went down a bit after first check and due back next week. Generally I feel extremely tired, brain fog, differently concerning and verbalising, not eating much but gaining weight. I would be asking to go back on Interferon next time I see my consultant. I need to be on treatment as high levels are giving me extreme headaches. I’m from Ireland so only pay up to €120 p/m for all my prescriptions, the rest is covered by my taxes.

For Thrombocythemia: I am 80 years and have been taking this drug for 7 years without problems, it kept my platelets around 600,000. Then I developed open sores on my fingers. A blister would form, pop, and then the sore would be exposed and wouldn't heal for weeks. After that I developed wounds on my ankles. I developed 3 open, non-healing ulcers on my ankles that were so painful I had to go to the hospital. All the while my hematologist, my primary doctor and all the hospital doctors shook their heads and said they didn't know what was wrong. Then my son did a google search and found that these horrible skin ulcers and sores were a rare side effect of the hydroxyurea! I am now off the drug and with a new hematologist and a new drug Jakafi.

For Dietary Supplementation: I used to get about 3 to 5 cold sores a yr,.I bought Valtrex by the bucketload to keep the damned things under control,.I also would have to purchase Abreva and all sort of other lipp medications to help with healing,.costing me $ 1000 a yr for 5 yrs About a yr and a half ago (just on a whim) I took some Vitamin E I had stored under my cabinet for years, because I had heard it was good for the skin and hair,.I was not even thinking about taking it for cold sores and such,.Well after about a week I noticed I wasn't getting the tingling or the feelings associated with the beginnings of a cold sore,. To be short,.I now take 2 capsules of Vitamin E 400 to 500 mgs a day and I haven't had a cold sore in a yr and a half,.It TRULY is a wonder drug

For Dietary Supplementation: I am highly allergic to Vitamin E. I had a full body rash and had many problems due to using Vitamin E. It took 2 weeks to get over the rash. The doctor said do not use it ever again.