Hydroxyurea and Septic System maintenance

[Planti]

I wonder if anyone has had problems with septic system failure due to contamination with HU? If so, what is the solution?

I have read that chemotherapy or even antibiotic use long-term can kill off enough of the good bacteria in the system to cause failure. Some sites advocate from more frequent pump outs and others suggest the addition of more bacteria. Then again other sites say that adding bacteria is a waste of time, effort and money. The most interesting advice is to not put waste from people on chemo down the loo, by whatever means possible???

Of course I will ask my septic maintenance people for advice and do whatever they suggest and hope that is enough. Further guidance from the folks here always of interest.

Lauren

[charl17]

When I had a septic system and was on HU, I had no problems. Bacteria can adapt to low levels of an otherwise toxic substance if fed a steady diet. Are you having problems or are you concerned to avoid a problem?

[Planti in reply to charl17]

I feel like a walking toxic waste so just trying to avoid future problems. I also wonder about my gut bacteria, poor little guys.

[3195]

I took hydroxyurea for 12 years, and never had trouble with my septic system.

[hunter5582]

You are correct to think that HU has an antimicrobial effect that could impact your microbiome.

nature.com/articles/nrmicro...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

HU can also compromise the intestinal endothelium, resulting in GI side effects. Some, like myself, experience this while others do not. I would think the same would be true for the microbiome.

HU is excreted in urine (40% unchanged), so it will make it into your septic system; however, I would think it would be so diluted that the impact would be negligible. I never saw any issues with my septic system when I was on it.

Regarding the bacterial additives for your septic system, yes they can help. Septic service companies have a vested financial interest in emptying your tank more often so are not always quick to acknowledge this. At a minimum, the bacterial additives do no harm and just waste a bit of money. I do use the additives in my septic system.

Bacterial additives (AKA probiotics) are also good for your microbiome. Anything that compromises your microbiome can cause serious problems. When the HU caused GI problems for me, I began using probiotics on a regular basis. I regularly change what I use to maximize the diversity of my microbiome. The Integrative Medicine doc approves of this approach.

So I would say yes to bacterial additives for yourself and your septic system, perhaps supplemented by more frequent emptying of your septic system if you are concerned about it. While I doubt the latter is needed, peace-of-mind may be worth the added expense.

All the best my friend.

[Planti in reply to hunter5582]

Hi Hunter, Thank you for the articles. I had just assumed that something that interferes with DNA would affect bacteria too. It is good to have that confirmed.

My cousin actually alerted me when she told me of a friend whose septic system failed due to her friend being on chemo. Though she could not tell me exactly which drug her friend was taking.

Even chronic antibiotic use can have an effect on septic systems.

And, as you also note, replenishing our gut bacteria with a variety of strains is wise.

I am waiting for the results of my first plt count after starting HU for my ET. The phlebotomist was so good that despite being on low dose Aspirin there is only a tiny bruise. Guess most of those platelets are functional.

Best of the new year to you too!