Hi. Just wondering if anyone could help. I am on holiday in Portugal. Am on hydrea. 500 per day Monday to Friday and 1000 each day on Saturday and Sunday. I know that we are to avoid the sun but does this mean completely covered up at all times or is there any latitude for some sun. I would love to know the answer but do hope that a little sun is ok
Thanks in advance. Margo
Hi Margo, know how you feel, I always have loved the sun, just made me feel so good, and it is nice to have that summer glow, so now I make sure that I have a good sun screen I get my friends in Australia to send me Solar D which is amazing protects against the harmful suns rays but allows the vitamin D from the sun to penetrate the bones, or P 30 which is also very good and I do not go out in the sun between eleven and three o'clock as this is the hottest time. When I do gardening I wear a hat and my glasses automatically go dark when outside but do avoid the hottest time of the day it's a case of being sensible as the Hydroxycarbamide can over a period of time can cause skin cancer, I also take the same dosage as you.
Like you I have always loved the sun, but now I take precautions but still enjoy the sun at cooler times of the day, and I still managed that summer glow, sometimes with a tinted moisturizer, so just be sensible and enjoy your holiday,
Jean
Jean. Thank you so much for your reply that is exactly what I wanted to hear. I hate missing the sun completely but as younsay love a summer glow. I will follow your advice.
Very best wishes and keep well. Margo
Also make sure you keep well hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Jean
Jean. I was told to drink 3 litres per day at last appt so working hard to do that
M
Wow three that is a bit excessive,I would be on the loo, twenty four seven, I was told at least two litres in a 24 hour period which along with tea and coffee Through the day I can manage we'll without too many visits.
Jean
Hi, I was told it's essential to stay out of sun, wear factor 50 , cover up and wear a hat as Hydroxy considerably increases the risk of skin cancer. I always do even though it's a pain and sit in shade. Best wishes, Francesb.
Hi Margo, yes you do have to take precautions when in the sun, by wearing a high factor sun screen and covering up as much as you can, your skin may be more sensitive to the sun whilst you are taking hydroxycarbamide so it would be wise to avoid exposure to the sun, using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing and a hat. Enjoy your holiday. Maz
Hi Margo, we're o currently on our holidays in Portugal at the moment too! The weather is awesome, enjoy 😎🌞!
Hi Margo,
I was diagnosed with ET JAK2 + mid-summer this year. It's hard swallowing my Hydroxyurea capsules when you have been told it can CAUSE other cancers. I asked about sun exposure. You don't need to cover all exposed skin but you need to be compliant about applying a 50SPF and re-apply as directed when exposed. UV protection for your eyes and slow down cataract formation. You can get Melanoma on your retinae and they are hard to diagnose early.
So, it's serious sun screen, cute hat and sunglasses. I wasn't thrilled to receive this diagnosis but it wasn't a brain tumor or another type of life altering/threatening cancer. My lemonade from lemons.
The above is what I was told by my Hematologist/Oncologist. Enjoy the warmth of the sun.
Patty
Hi Margo,
I was diagnosed with ET JAK2 + mid-summer this year. It's hard swallowing my Hydroxyurea capsules when you have been told it can CAUSE other cancers. I asked about sun exposure. You don't need to cover all exposed skin but you need to be compliant about applying a 50SPF and re-apply as directed when exposed. UV protection for your eyes and slow down cataract formation. You can get Melanoma on your retinae and they are hard to diagnose early.
So, it's serious sun screen, cute hat and sunglasses. I wasn't thrilled to receive this diagnosis but it wasn't a brain tumor or another type of life altering/threatening cancer. My lemonade from lemons.
The above is what I was told by my Hematologist/Oncologist. Enjoy the warmth of the sun.
Patty
Patty
Thank you for getting in touch. The diagnosis is a shock but I think your approach is the right one we need to take the positive out of the situation I was diagnosed 8 years ago and must confess that until recently I was a bit casual about the sun. I hadn't thought about cataracts or melanoma of the eye although I have a friend who has this secondary to breast cancer. Now it is spf 50 and a hat Things could be a lot worse
Best wishes. Margo
Heavens!Did not know about eyes being affected...have had a facial carcinoma and now another on chest,I keep well out of the sun....difficult here. We have so much,several friends with carcinoma s on skin ,not taking Hydrea, so very common I am told now....ozone layer or something we cannot understand,I am old enough to remember playing in the sun as a child without any hat or protection!!!!
Take Care all,I have monthly Vit D from my Dr,to compensate
Hi thanks for the reply the dangers of the sun affect us all. I live in chilly and wet Northern Ireland so the temptation to sit in the sun is so great on holiday. Anyway I am in the shade now and need to buy some nice long sleeved tops for my next trip. I am on vit D too so that is taken care of. Best wishes
Margo
Hi Margo. Where are you in Portugal? We are on the Algarve. The weather is fantastic isn't it? I put on my factor 50 before we venture out in the morning and I do keep out of the mid day sun. No-one from my hospital in the UK has ever mentioned keeping out
of the sun even though they know
I live here for part of the year. I only learned about it this year from this forum. (Thank you Maz). So, here I am sitting on the bed with the patio doors wide open and relaxing until our next walk out for a glass of wine. Now if wine is a no-no on Hydroxy I really don't want to know 🤣. Enjoy your holiday x
Hi we have a timeshare near Faro and come in May and September. You are lucky to be here more frequently. Although I was diagnosed 8 years ago I am afraid I didn't get into the factor 50 thing until recently. Still I suppose better late than never
Totally agree about the wine although I am not as good at that as in the oil days
Enjoy this fabulous weather and thanks for getting in touch
Margo
Thanks for the info on sun exposure. I didn't realise we had to be this careful when taking Hydroxy eek! Went away in the summer and was sitting in the sun with inly factor 25 I think. Live the sun but maybe time for change un my life. I don't want to be more broken than I already am. X
Hydroxy and The Sun
Just started on Hydroxycarbamide.
sunshine and skin rash 
Sun exposure 
Heliocare
