I am 33 and was diagnosed with ET in November
2005 after a bone marrow biopsy and many months of blood tests. At first
I was not on any medications, but had to go in for blood work about once a
month. My doctor didn't want to treat me unless I was showing
symptoms. My platelets began to near 1 million about February 2006.
It was at this point I was beginning to experience a lot of ocular
migraines....seeing a lot of lights and areas blurred out. This happened
10 times a day for 4 days in a row. I called my doctor and was scheduled
for an MRI on my brain....a month later of course. The doctor decided to
start me on Hydroxyurea 500 mg daily. My MRI didn't show any sign of
bleeding or a clot, so that was good. The doctor wanted me to have blood
work done once a week to keep track of how the Hydroxyurea is working.
When my blood work wasn't reacting the way the doctor wanted, he increased my
dose, switching between 500 and 1000 mg every other day. Since then, my
platelets have dropped to 300, so that is great. My doctor went back and
forth between wanting to keep me on Hydroxyurea and putting me on Interferon
alfa. He didn't want me to stay on Hydroxyurea long-term due to the
Leukemia risk. Studies seem to be going back and forth on whether it
actually does cause Leukemia or not. I am glad when it was time for the
decision to be made that he decided Hydroxyurea would be better than Interferon
alfa. I have read all the side effects of Interferon alfa and would refuse
being treated with it now unless it is absolutely necessary. When I first
started treatment with Hydroxyurea, the medication wiped me out. My
doctor kept telling me it was the condition, not the medication, but I don't
think so. I would come home everyday and sleep for 2-3 hours after work.
Eventually I got use to the medication and don't even notice too much. I
do get tired at times, but I manage. Really I have just gotten to a point where the pills are just like taking my allergy medication and my doctor visits are just routine. I am now down to blood work once every 2 months and a doctor visit every six months. ET hasn't caused too many issues with my life, but it is something always in the back of my head as far as a little worry. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.