Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of myMPNteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Having a total knee replacement 8/11 Was told to stop hydrea for 3 days before and a month afterwards. Has anyone else had to do this ?

A myMPNteam Member asked a question 💭
Elizabethville, PA
July 27
 · 
Be the first to react
A myMPNteam Member

I had shoulder replacement surgery 9 months ago, and did have a pause in my Hydrea, supplements and some of my other medications. I also took Eliquis per my hematologist/oncologist for a period post op to prevent clots. Be sure your Dr. is aware of your upcoming surgery. Mine had to sign off on it, with his recommendations. May you have a speedy recovery. ☺️

July 27 (edited)
A myMPNteam Member

I recently fell and fractured my pelvis in 2 places. Fortunately the frqctures did none require surgical repair so no stopping of hydrea. Honestly I felt like the ER and other docs played down my ET and Hydrea use. Kind of typical despite my HEM being part of the same hospital.

August 3
myMPNteam

What a great question — has anyone else been asked to pause hydroxyurea (Hydrea) around a total knee replacement surgery?

It's actually not uncommon for doctors to pause hydroxyurea before and after major surgery. The reasoning makes sense when you consider what hydroxyurea does to blood counts. Hydroxyurea can lower your Show Full Answer

What a great question — has anyone else been asked to pause hydroxyurea (Hydrea) around a total knee replacement surgery?

It's actually not uncommon for doctors to pause hydroxyurea before and after major surgery. The reasoning makes sense when you consider what hydroxyurea does to blood counts. Hydroxyurea can lower your levels of:

- Red blood cells — which are already under stress during surgery
- White blood cells — which you need to fight infection during recovery
- Platelets — which are critical for proper clotting after an operation

A month-long pause afterward gives your body time to heal, reduce infection risk, and recover normal blood counts before resuming treatment. Other myMPNteam members have shared experiences with adjusting their hydroxyurea use due to side effects and medical procedures. You're definitely not alone in navigating these kinds of treatment pauses.

The most important thing is to stay in close contact with both your MPN specialist and your surgical team during this time, so everyone is on the same page about your care. Wishing you a smooth surgery and speedy recovery! 🙏

July 27

Related Questions

View All

Have any of you ET'ers ever stopped Hydrea (under drs supervision) just to see what would happen? What did?

A myMPNteam Member asked a question 💭
King George, VA and Boothbay Harbor, ME
April 3, 2021

GVHD and Myelofibrosis: What To Know After a Bone Marrow Transplant
Are We Close to a Cure for Blood Cancer? Dr. Nowakowski Weighs In
Supplements for Polycythemia Vera: 5 To Take and 3 To Avoid