Anybody out there on Hydroxyurea? I have been prescribed this but I'm not confident after the amount of info I have read of its side effects and longterm health problems.
Toxic Drug ..: Anybody out there on... - Sickle Cell Society
Toxic Drug ..
Hi dear, my daughter is a sickler, 11 years old, on hydroxyuria for almost 3years, but she's doing ok. No hospital admissions for 2 and half years. Need to be look after, blood check often for the first 6 months. I guess any drug have their side effects, but for now everything seems to be ok.
I was prescribed to take it but I dont
Hydroxycarbamide is prescribed to 10,000s of SS patients. I have used it for 14 years with effective management from my heamaetologist. All drugs have side effects for a minority of patients. Unfortunately I see SS people refuse to take this drug, on misinformation, only to ruin their long term health.
Hi, I was similar to you when I was prescribed it (read my post history, i wrote a similar post). I was worried about the symptoms i'd heard about and sceptical it would make any difference to my life.
At the time I was having a transfusion about every 6 weeks and my hb would regularly go below 6.5. I decided to go ahead and take the drug. Initially I had a rash on my face and fatigue. However with correct dosage and over-time increasing to the desired amount.
I am now happily on Hydroxyura for 2 years. No blood transfusions for about 18 months. My hb is now 8.3 I've only had a couple of crisis that i've managed at home and I feel like I have a normal amount of energy compared to before where I was always extremely fatigued. Honestly I feel really great on the drug however I've heard the results can really differ from patient to patient. I would recommend working very closely with your haematologist to get the dosage right and at least trying it out for a few months. It takes at least a few months before you really see the effects. You never know it could be life changing.
I am currently on it and I absolutely love it. It has worked wonders for me and I am truly grateful for it. I used to be hospitalized at least once a month and wvwr since I started in have yet been to the hospital for a pain crisis. That was 2 years ago. It has allowed me to manage it at home. I am very grateful.