Hi all,
Hope you are keeping well.
I have been reading some mixed views on whether one should be drinking tea and eating chocolate while taking Hydrea. I have no problems with staying off alchohol, but green tea and chocolate is something I absolutely love! 
Apperently, it might be too good in protecting cells and can affect the treatment.
Has anybody had professional advice from their MPN specialist on this?
Thank you!
I suspect you would need to have buckets full for either to have negative effect on meds .I would go easy on chocolate. Preferably organic dark , couple of squares a day . 2 cups green tea .
I'd be interested to see info you have read saying shouldn't have above
Hi. I eat a lot of chocolate. Too much - I know. Mostew's advice of two squares a day - what self control! It would be more like two bars for me. Joking aside though, I know we should definitely be eating a more healthier diet but I had not heard anything about chocolate being a particular issue so I would be interested in where that came from.
I have been advised by my Haematologist not to drink green tea. But it was prompted by a question from me. I noticed that after having 1 cup a day for a few weeks, when I had my routine blood test I couldn't stop it bleeding. It went on for about 2 hours and I couldn't do anything but hold my arm in the air. I asked my Haematologist if the green tea could have caused it and she said that she wasn't sure but she thought green tea does something to your platlets and should be avoided. With taking HU my platlets are in a very good range (it is my WCC that is the problem), so whether for me by drinking green tea it just made my blood too runny (it didn't seem to affect my platlet reading).
I've seen lots of varying views on green tea so I am guessing that no one really knows for sure. I was disappointed as I had started drinking it to try and reduce inflamation and it seems everything that reduces inflammation seems to have a negative affect on MPNs.
I rarely buy chocolate. Enjoy when I do .Satisfy sweet tooth by making date nut balls with cacao. And other yummy treats that don't involve bought sugar.
my partner is a Swiss chocolatier and patissier. He specialised in extremely high quality chocolates with no added sugar. When we got together I sort of became taster in chief. Hard I know but someone had to do it! I was taking quite a high dose of Hydrea at the time and never even dreamt that chocolate could affect it
He is retired now and I progressed to MF. My platelets are an issue now because the count is too low. I don’t eat a great deal of chocolate now as my taste buds have been spoiled by having had the best. Nobody in the many years of living with an MPN has ever questioned my intake of chocolate or tea
Best wishes, Jan
I am on 500 mg of Hydrea for PV now for 7 years or so. I drink green tea all the time and also love Chocolate. This to date has had absolutely no ill effects on my blood counts. I also have never been told to avoid green tea or chocolate in regard to my PV.
Garry
Thank you very much all for replying!!
I was very surprised to read about it, as well. And a little panicked.
I found one of the articles, and will try to share the others once found them again:
webmd.com/cancer/features/1...
It seem the argument given is that green tea protects cells too well and so might make the treatment less effective.
The advice to avoid green tea and chocolate during chemo was mostly given by Dr. Google and AI, though, so I take them with a pinch of salt.
I will ask my specialist when I see him in February, but wondered if anybody has already had a professional advise.
In the meantime, I will treasure my 1 cup and a few pieces of chocolate 
Take care.
Mary
Enjoy. I have phone appointment with Guys tomorrow . I'll ask.
Thank you Mostew!!!
Hi. First - I’d like to say I’m hoping you are feeling supported here. Now then … It’s a natural instinct to read internet articles about our conditions. The need for a sense of control can feel overwhelming when part of our bodies suddenly go rogue on us like our bone marrow! However, you’re already doing just what you need to do. So … just keep swimming, stay away from Web MD, eat an immune healthy diet and find some good chocolate. Best of luck. A.
Thank you Alexis!
I think if these items were contra indicated with hydroxy it would probably be indicated with the written instructions that come with the drug. My view, chocolate and tea (of any sort) bring pleasure, mental health sorted!!
I like your thinking, Janis!
Best not to over think things. Best wishes.
My advice is to live each day to its fullest and enjoy what you love!
Two years after being on hydroxurea for high blood platelets I was doing with ALS. So with limited time, I eat what I want and try to enjoy the remaining time.
FYI - ALS is not a rare disease
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
You are absolutely right! We have to treasure every moment. Thank you very much for replying.
Take care of yourself.
Mary
I have always drank green tea eat dark chocolate occasionally & under Professor Harrison & no problems. Green tea has lots of benefits . Any tea with caffeine gives me palpitations as does too much coffee so one cup of good coffee is enough .
I am on peg Interferon Julia 👍
Thank you Julia
just had appointment with Guys.
Confirmed . Double definitely ok to have green tea and choc. With Hydroxy.!!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Mostew!!
That was so nice of you to ask!
You have made my day!! Putting my kettle on!
All the best,
Mary
I take 500 mg Hydrea 2 times per day, 3 years now, I drink alcohow occasionally, have coffee and or tea daily, and chocolate as I wish I am not sure what issues others have but I have not issues
I have been taking hydrea 500 morning and evening since 2019 jan. have not stopped taking tea or chocolate or any other food . of course everything has to be in limits and no excesses. have had no issues till now.
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