Hydroxy and Hiatus hernia and acid reflux surgery.

[Mycancerconcern1]

I have been told I will not be able to swallow my hydroxy capsules for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Has anyone else in the group experienced this and what did they do about there meds.

[hunter5582]

Most likely they will just have you take a vacation from the hydroxyurea. Given that you are having significant stomach issues, you may want to review your other treatment options with your care team. It may be that there would be something easier on your GI tract than HU. It can be a challenge to get the specialists to work together, so you may have to be your own best care manager to get the collaboration to happen.

[Mycancerconcern1 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks for your reply Hunter.

The Hydroxycarbamide is fine with me. I had the stomach problems long before I was diagnosed with ET. I have been taking the same prescribed acid medication for the last 12+ years night and day which is still allowing acid to come up into my throat. What's worrying me is how to take my hydroxycarbamide after the surgery. I have talked to my Haematologist about this and he said I should be able to open the capsule and take the powder. He was going to ask the chemists opinion on this first and get back to me. I cannot see them allowing me to open the capsules to take the powder out as it tells you on the medication information sheet not to touch the powder. I was just wondering if anyone else has been in the same situation.

[IrishHiker in reply to Mycancerconcern1]

I did Hospice nursing for a number of years. We were told pharmacists were able to “compound” just about any medicine into a suppository form. If you are game you could always ask about that.

[MCurlygirl in reply to Mycancerconcern1]

There is no danger to us in touching the capsule contents. After all, you swallow it..... the cautions are intended for any caregivers.

[hunter5582 in reply to Mycancerconcern1]

I have the same issue. GERD with hiatal hernia and bouts of esophagitis. Nexium works better than most PPIs for me. I do believe it is related to to the MPN in that the deregulation of the JAK-STAT pathway causes such significant issues with inflammation. The role of the body's kinase systems and the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines can cause significant issues for us.

I had one particularly bad bout with GI issues abut 7 years ago. Went into gastroparesis and had significant gastritis along with esophagitis. It threw me into reactive thrombocytosis and my platelets went to near 1 million. Also caused severe anxiety due to the neural and biochemical consequences of GI inflammation. Inflammation is not our friend! Have learned to manage it much better since then.

I expect the docs will just end up having you take a vacation from the HU. You are correct about not opening the capsule. That is something you are supposed to never do. You never want the powder to make direct contact with the skin or mouth.

Hope your surgery goes well. All the best.

[Mycancerconcern1]

Thanks for the comments guys appreciated. Operation tomorrow so I will see how it goes.