I've got ET and been on hydroxycarbamide for 6 w... - MPN Voice
I've got ET and been on hydroxycarbamide for 6 wks 1.5 g, I've got severe athletes foot and vaginal thrush. Is this common and any tips?
Sorry to hear you have been suffering with this. I have no idea if it is linked to meds or not.
I hope you can find something to help as both are a wretched pain!
All anti cancer drugs supress the immune system and make you more vunerable to infection. Have you had your white cell count checked? Also fungal infections like warm moist damp places so things like not wearing shoes in the house, wearing skirts and non nylon underwear and avoiding tights can help. Being careful not to transfer infection by towelling from an infected area to a non affected area is also useful.
I have been on HU now HC for nearly 20 years and I get athletes foot nearly every summer. I also get dry patches on my face. there is no doubt that Hydroxy carbamide is rough on your skin. obviously I dont get the othe problem.
Town crier
Hi Soomoo, sorry to hear you are suffering with thrush and athlete's foot, not very nice, but I would advise you to speak to your GP or even the nurse practitioner, if you have one at your surgery, Hydroxy, like any medication, can cause lots of side effects, it's always best to get it checked and also ask for any medication to treat both problems. Maz.
Hi Soomoo, I also have ET and suffer from athletes foot. I was on Hydroxy for a while but am not at present and haven't been for over a year now. The Hydroxy didn't seem to me to impact on my athletes foot (though we're all individuals and this may not be the same for you). I've had athletes foot as long as I can remember. I don't recall it becoming any worse particularly when starting hydroxy or improving greatly after stopping. I tend to use topical treatments to manage it. I've visited the gp recently in fact and given similar advice to the above - regards the type of environment it likes and how to prevent spreading. I am trying to allow my feet to get some fresh air more often even though I'm conscious of doing so because the infection is visible - but as much as anything this seems to help me. Finally I've recently started using fucidin which also seems to be helping more than other topical treatments I've used though you'll need to get this on prescription. Hope this helps.
HI Soomoo
I also have ET and been hydroxi for the last 2 years. Like you i have had thrush in all 'creases' of my skin and in my mouth. Now think this is part of the side effects of the chemo drug, but the hydroxi does seem to be doing its job.
Had various treatments from my GP, who is very good, but nothing seems to work for more than a week or so.
Not had athletes foot but as i am retired i do tend to walk around bare foot most of the time.
I would think that talking to your GP if he is any good, would be your best step.
Hope you get some relief.
God Bless Gwen
