Hi All.
Been on Hydroxycarbamide for around 1 year now and have had the dosage increased twice in that time. Since July I have been on 2 tablets a day but I’m still having to have venesections. I was told I wouldn’t need them anymore once on hydroxy. Is anyone else having this issue?
Kind regards
Alex
Hi Alex
Thanks for posting
it is quite common for you to still have venesections while on treatment though you are correct that the need to should become more sparse. As I’m sure your bloods are being regularly checked sometimes your count can spike from several factors and the quickest way to reduce them will be via venesections.
there is no right dosage for hydroxy as it differs from person to person but know they will start you off on lower dosages so your body acclimatises and lessens the risk of suffering from side effects. Don’t see increases as things getting worse. It’s a very timely process
Thanks @Rammie18
I’m not worried about increases in dosages as I understand we’re all individuals. I just don’t react well to venesections which is why I went onto Hydroxycarbamide. I’m still having them every 6-8 weeks and it takes me a few days to recover from them.
Kind regards
Alex
That’s understandable. The general aim is hope venesections aren’t required.
Yeah venesections are no easy feat, I remember passing out after one, regaining consciousness with a bunch of nurses and a doctor rushing through the door.
I’ve recently had a hct value of 0.3 how that’s happened I have no idea? but my specialist wasn’t too concerned, so I’ll have to take their word for it.
if you haven’t already or do, try and get a copy of your blood tests and chat to your specialist about what values concern them and how they can be affected. Sometimes by understanding what they look at you can start thinking what maybe causing drops/elevations behind the scenes