Hi
I’ve just started treating my Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') with hydroxycarbamide..I’ve felt terrible sick but also such a bad sore throat is this normal
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Hello again @Emma1111, I’m sorry to read of that soreness occurring, that can’t be fun.
While I’m not a doctor, I take hydroxyurea and understand it and other similar treatments for Myeloproliferative neoplasms ('MPN') can cause nausea, a sore mouth and an upset stomach. I know others around the forum have talked about being prescribed medicines for this, I wonder what your specialists could offer you?
Here’s some information from Blood Cancer UK about treatments causing a sore mouth, also known as mucositis: mucositis | Blood Cancer UK
If you use the search box at the top or Related Topics below you can find other posts about how others have managed similar issues and perhaps the name of the medicine they used.
I’d say always pass any new or different symptoms and side effects by your specialist as they will know you best and can potentially prescribe you something to help. And if you’d like to call the lovely Blood Cancer UK nurses they will be around tomorrow (Saturday) 10 am to 1 pm on 0808 2080 888.
Oh and reading these BCUK mucositis self-help tips they suggest sucking on ice cubes, crushed ice, or even ice lollies.
Do please let us know how you get on @Emma1111.
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Yikes, I’m one of the lucky ones, hydroxyurea 500mg/day for near 20 years, no problem.
Wishing you well x
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Hi @Emma1111, I’m sorry to hear about this - starting a new treatment and then feeling this unwell is really hard.
I’m going to tag in our Blood Cancer UK nurses, @BloodCancerUK_Nurses, as they’ll be able to give you some clinical perspective on what you’re experiencing alongside your Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') treatment - do also flag it with your haematology team if it continues or gets worse, won’t you?
There are other threads on the Forum that you might find helpful, like this one about experiences with Hydroxycarbamide. The ‘Related’ section at the bottom of the page is worth a look too - there are likely a few other threads there that might be relevant to you.
Our free Support Line is there if you’d like to talk anything through abotu your diagnosis or treatment - it’s staffed by our nurses, and you can reach them on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) or email support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
Do please keep us posted about how you get on.
Take care,
Ceri - Blood Cancer UK Support Services
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Dear @Emma1111
Sorry to hear you have been feeling sick and also have a bad sore throat since starting hydroxycarbamide. Feeling sick is a common side effects of this treatment. Anti sickness medications can be prescribed to help with this. A sore throat can be a sign of infection which is also a common side effect of this medication Cancer Research UK Hydroxycarbamide I would suggest contacting your haematology team about your symptoms. It is possible that you have an infection so it is important to get this checked out as soon as possible, just to be on the safe side.
As @Ceri_BloodCancerUK has said, please do not hesitant to contact the nurses if you would like to discuss this in more detail.
Hope you feel better soon
Kind regards
Fiona (support services nurse)
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