Hello there @Nana_Sue, welcome to the forum. We were both diagnosed with Myeloproliferative neoplasms ('MPN') in 2023, it would seem, so I’m glad you’ve found it here too.
May I just say it’s really heartening to read how your body has been coping with both the Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') and hydroxyurea. I’ve taken hydroxyurea since diagnosis with Polycythaemia vera ('PV') and have had its dosage adapted to find one that best slows down my blood cell overproduction. I’ll share the Blood Cancer UK information about Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') here in case you haven’t read it: Essential thrombocythaemia | Blood Cancer UK
By “MH” I’m guessing you mean mental health and I’m sorry to read that yours has been affected previously. I appreciate how our mental as well as physical health needs looking after, especially when living with Myeloproliferative neoplasms ('MPN') I’d say, so I’m really glad you’ve been able to get on top of that. No mean feat! I’ll share here the BCUK tips about looking after our mind and emotions in case there are suggestions you might not have tried: Blood cancer: mind and emotions | Blood Cancer UK
I think you’re wise to be wary of how changing to Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (such a catchy name!) might affect you. You’re not alone in living with Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') and having variable mental health as I know of other lovely forum members who have described their moods being affected by interferon.
Perhaps having a look through this thread full of forum members who live with Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') might offer some ideas of what to expect from changing treatment: ET diagnosis finally sinking in
And you know, the specialist Blood Cancer UK nurses really know their stuff and can advise on the medical side of changing treatment, including other resources that can help you decide. Their free number is 0808 2080 888.
Hope that helps a little @Nana_Sue, maybe have a further look around the forum using the search box at the top, and please keep us posted about how you get on.