Been diagnosed with Essential thrombocythemia (ET) had blood tests and a painless bone marrow biopsy. Jac 2 positive. My platelets range regularly between 500-600. I’ve been prescribed 75m asprin. But asked to consider chemo pills or a stomach injection. No problem but both can have side effects. In other words. I have no symptoms of anything now. But would possibly make myself ill with a cure from getting complications of something I don’t have yet. Any advise welcome? Thanks very much xx
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Hi @Navo
Firstly welcome to the forum and thanks for posting.
I have a different blood cancer and not sure if your options are hydroxycarbamide vs interferon?
A lot of people are given a choice of these and there are a lot of pros and cons of each.
Though the side effects seem scary… it’s important to remember that every medication has its disclaimers but often the most common are only experienced by 10% of those who take it. Everyone is different and everyone’s body is kinda built differently.
A wise person says you should do your research, speak/hear from lots of people who’ve been through it and write down any questions and concerns for you to present to your medical team to answer before coming to a choice that’s right for you.
There is lots of useful information on the bcuk website and also lots of posts on the forum about these treatments to give you some insight and food for thought.
You also have the support line who are immense and so helpful and knowledgable.
I’ll try and find some links and add it to this post
If you have any questions be sure to post on here as I know first hand how good this community is in answering 
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Hi @Navo,
Welcome to the forum. I totally agree with @Rammie18 comments. He’s a great support to us all. I had the same dilema 6 months ago. I spoke to a BCUK nurse and the one thing that stuck with me is,very true - chose the treatment and if you find the side effects challenging, you can change.
We are all different so we react differently too.
Please keep us posted.
Lynd 
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Hi @Navo a great big welcome to our forum.
What a dilemma you have, so many unknows and variables.
@Rammie18 and @Lynd have given you such wise responses which I cannot better.
Yes, the Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you if you would like to talk, bank holiday opening hours apply, on 0808 2080 888.
Perhaps write down all your questions for your medical team, your specialist nurse, is often a good contact. No question is a silly question., take your time to make a decision.
Please do let us know how you get on and use us a sounding board.
Look after yourself.
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Hi this is me “ [quote=“Navo, post:1, topic:10007”]
Been diagnosed with Essential thrombocythemia (Essential thrombocythemia (ET)) had blood tests and a painless bone marrow biopsy. Jac 2 positive. My platelets range regularly between 500-600. I’ve been prescribed 75m asprin. But asked to consider chemo pills…. I have no symptoms of anything now. But would possibly make myself ill with a cure from getting complications of something I don’t have yet.”
Although I can’t say the bone marrow was painless or that I have no symptoms (although my consultant dismisses any symptoms I may have as not being related to my diagnosis of Essential Thrombocythaemia). The ‘plan’ is to start treatment with Hydroxycarbamide. Having been told I will live with Blood Cancer for life, although the diagnosis does not suggest that it will shorten my life, and Chemo will be for life 
The concern is that I will become unwell from the treatment and the treatment increases the risk of developing potentially life shortening illnesses; acute myeloid leukaemia/mylelofibrosis
The Essential thrombocythemia (ET) diagnosis puts me at greater risk of a stroke and already being treated with aspirin and the addition of the Hydroxycarbamide has been explained as establishing an appropriate dose to ensure the platelets are under 400.
The ‘plan’ does upset me, due to the treatment possibly making me unwell & the possibility of developing a more life shortening condition, but, as my husband has said, the alternative is possibly experiencing a stroke!
It seems to me that I am I faced with a no win situation, however, trying to explore as much information as possible to hopefully have some level of understanding and control over this life changing experience. Jackie aged 61 recently finished working in anticipation of many years of enjoyable retirement.
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Hi @Jackiefc a great big welcome and it is a real dilemma for you. I hope others can share their experiences although I have learnt on here that we are very unique, complex beings.
Do you have a specialist nurse, GP or your consultant you can ask all your fears, questions and practicalities of.
Perhaps write down everything you would like answers to first so you feel prepared and no question is a silly question.
Please do keep posting and let us know how you get on.
Look after yourself
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