Hello. I am 37 yr old female diagnosed in 2001 with ET. I was on Agrylin for almost 5 yrs. Side effects included migraines and hear palpitations. Now I moved a year ago to Colorado and the new doctor took me off Agrylin. New studies suggested no meds until platelets reached 1.5 million. In the past month it has gone from 1.2, to 1.5 and in the past week has reached 1.7 mi. I was told by my doctor I need to start Hydrea today. I am very reluctant to start. I have heard so many bad things about the meds. Hair loss, leg and mouth ulcers,etc. I have been dieting the past month to get ready for a wedding that I am in on Sat. I have gone back to red meat for the protein and have lost 10 lbs. I work out every day.. weights and walking,etc. My cholesterol is the best it has ever been and my heart it in good shape... so why am I getting worse?? Very frustrated. I think if I go back to my old diet it will fix itself.. but my doc says diet has nothing to do with it. If I choose to hold off on the Hydrea am I taking a risk?? I also think stress is a big part of the elevated plts. and once this wedding is over and I get back to my normal diet it will go back to where it was.... but do I take the chance of stroke? Can you tell I really do not want to take the Hydrea??
does anyone have any suggestions of what I could take along with the Hydrea like supplements to ease the side effects,etc?
Thanks for listening.. just very scared at this point!
Nikki