Et calr postive planning for kids so want to shi... - MPN Voice

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Et calr postive planning for kids so want to shift to interferon.

Aruntez profile image
3 Replies

From last six months we are on hydab now planning for pregnancy want to shift to interferon .

2. We are from india so we need to buy interferon which is costly. After using interferon can we go back to hydab since we can't efford interferon life long.

3. Why wife age is 32 till now we don't have kids we thing time is running.

Need sujjection?

Is there any other way insted of interferon.

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Aruntez profile image
Aruntez
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hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

If you are male and are going to discontinue hydroxyurea (Hydab) to have a child, be aware you must wait one year before the pregnancy. Hydroxyurea is a teratogen. It causes birth defects. Hydroxyurea also can diminish sperm count. This is not always reversible. Younger men are advised to do sperm banking before starting hydroxyurea just in case. Hopefully you were also told about using a condom to protect you wife from exposure to hydroxyurea in semen.

Regarding options for treatment - it depends. There are other choices besides hydroxyurea. You already know about PEGylated Interferon. - Expensive. For some there could be Ruxolitinib - expensive. Busulfan and Anagrelide might also be options if you really do need a medication. If you are in your 30s, with ET - I am wondering why you are taking anything other than aspirin. Were your platelets really high? Did you have symptoms like clotting of bleeding? Many younger patients with ET and platelet levels under 1 million are on an aspirin-only treatment plan.

I hope that helps. All the best to you and your wife. Wishing you happy parenthood. I have two (grown) children and one grandchild. they are one of the true joys of my life.

Aruntez profile image
Aruntez in reply tohunter5582

My wife is suffering from et it's not me and second thing we stoped hydab the count reached to 13.5 lakhs. Doctor immediately told us to start hydab. And with in two months it came back to 5 lakhs taking 2 500 mg hydab daily.

Doctor told us to wait for one month after stopping hydab for my wife.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply toAruntez

The standard recommendation for a female is 6 months post discharge. This is the standard warning found most everywhere.

Pregnancy warning: This drug can have harmful effects on the unborn baby. Women of childbearing potential should use effective methods of birth control during your cancer treatment and for at least 6 months after treatment. Men with female partners of childbearing potential should use effective methods of birth control during your cancer treatment and for at least 1 year after your cancer treatment. Let your doctor know right away if you think you may be pregnant or may have impregnated your partner.

hillman.upmc.com/patients/c...

Do please be careful as hydroxyurea is a toxic medication that does have significant side effects.

Hope you do find an alternative medication you can access. All the best on your plans to have a child. They are a true joy.

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