Feeling numbed and pain on the hands often at nights , had black nails on my hands and toes

[kid12kg]

I am taking hydroxy since August last year to present, Monday , Wednesday Friday 3x Saturday ,Sunday ,Tuesday And Thursday 2x. I have my black nails on hands and toes. I also feel pain often on my hands especially elbow and numbed on the nights. Do you have that experiences ? Should I be worried? Thanks for your reply.

[Whitehair51]

I have had a few toe nails that are purple but I haven't had any numbness. It is the Hydroxyurea that causes it, also can cause mouth sores and hair loss - all related to areas of your body that have faster cell turnover. Do you really need that much hydroxyurea? Check with your specialist to see if you might be able to reduce it.

[hunter5582]

As Whitehair51 indicates, these symptoms are potentially adverse effects from hydroxycarbamide (AKA hydroxyurea). You can easily find this information in the research literature with a simple search. Here are two lists of adverse effects from reliable sources of information about medications.

online.epocrates.com/drugs/...

drugs.com/sfx/hydroxyurea-s...

This is a concern that needs to be reviewed with your treatment team ASAP. Fortunately, there are other options if you find that hydroxy is not suitable in your case. Hopefully your team already includes a MPN Specialist, who can review your treatment options with you.

All the best moving forward.

[kid12kg in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you sk much

[kid12kg in reply to kid12kg]

I will be having my haematology doctors appoinment on February 13th to check my blood test , do I need to call the nurses now or I will wait for my appointment ? Thank you so much hunter5582

[hunter5582 in reply to kid12kg]

Suggest calling sooner rather than later. The peripheral pain/numbness is something that needs prompt attention. This is an issue others on the forum have discussed. Here is one of those threads.

healthunlocked.com/mpnvoice...

[kid12kg in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you so much hunter5582, I do appreciate your concern.

[KLCTJC]

unfortunately, skin and nails turning black is a potential side effect of hydrea. Not really much you can do about it once that happens. The numbness I am unsure about. You still need to talk to your doctor.

[sbs_patient]

I was diagnosed with PV in 2015. I was on hydroxyurea for more than five years, eventually taking two 500 mg pills a day. I got serious skin reactions: black nails and ulceration. I had to come off it and am now doing well on ruxolitinib.

[Munster5]

I am on hydrea and have also suffered black nails - one of the unfortunate side affects!