PV: should I go to hydroxurea or not?Age : 62

[Innessant]

Happy to find this MPN site. My story:

Male 62 years old diagnosed with PV at 57.

Live in Thailand so great hospitals at low cost. But no NHS....

I am fit and healthy...I make sure of that since the diagnosis. I feel really well.

Do a venesection once a month without any problems..but drifting up to 47% Hematocrit sometimes.

Should I keep going with the venesections ( maybe every three weeks) or take the hydroxyurea.? It is an age thing....

I could never afford Jakofi out here. It is $14,000 a month !!!

Feel pleased to have found this site...

[Grumpy54]

You look a very young 62

[Innessant in reply to Grumpy54]

Wife is 20 years younger...no choice!

[Tico in reply to Innessant]

Ha, Ha, loved that reply to Grumpy 54. In regards to your question about whether to take hydrea would depend on your circumstances,ie,do have have any high risk factors, like previous clotting episodes,vascular problems, smoker etc. Also was it a specialist who bought up the hydrea question and if so why did they suggest it? I would talk to my specialist about it before deciding. Atb to you and sawasdee to you and your wife.tina🤗

[Innessant in reply to Tico]

Hi Tico, Thanks.I have no high risk factors apart from being over 60! I think it is a standard recommendation so I understand why two specialists suggested it ( softly).From reading here it seems that it is not as bad as I thought.Just the thought of " chemo" is scary.In the end it is my decision I suppose. This board is very helpful!Nigel

[hunter5582]

I would try phlebotomy every three weeks first. Hydroxyurea can have troublesome side effects, is immunosupressant, and potentially mutagenic.

[Innessant]

Thanks Hunter. That is my inclination but I am pleased to hear so many people doing well on HU. So less scared of it now, although what you say is correct and not to be taken lightly.