Low Platelet Count

[Meredith]

Have doing great lately but after going to the doctor last week for my regular visit the labs showed that my platelet's were dropping. The nurse called and they are going to send me to a blood specialist. Has anyone else had problems with their platelets dropping slowly? I am on prednisone (5mg), bactrim, nexium (had a rituxan treatment 1-1/2 yrs ago). I am really concerned about this.

[JeanMarie]

Can't really give you any specific advice--my platelets are ok, but a hematologist should be able to sort it out for you. Hope everything is OK & you have an answer soon.

[drz]

Can't really give you any specific advice--my platelets are ok, but a hematologist should be able to sort it out for you. Hope everything is OK & you have an answer soon.

Some meds can cause problems with your blood but a hemotologist will sort it our pretty quickly for you. Hopefully it is something with an easy fix like a small med change. Let us know what you learn.

[me2]

I took Cytoxan for a long time (too long) and my platelets have stayed just below the normal range. It causes me no problems. I have had cuts and they maybe bleed a little more and a little longer than they used to but not any where near an alarming rate. My platelets have stayed at this low level for several years now. I don't know if they will ever come back up. I'm ok, I hope you are too.

[NikkiNicole]

During my diagnosis process ... my platelets plummeted so I was sent to a hematologist who was also a oncologist. He didn't like the lump in my neck and ordered a biopsy (removal actually). Lo and behold, I had cancer (completely unrelated to the platelet plummet). The cancer diagnosis derailed the search for what was wrong with me because the isolation of my cancer cells wouldn't have caused the other symptoms. That was Wegener's but man, that first Rheumy thought he had wiped his hands of me.
Anyway, back to platelets ... since that day ... my platelets are either high or ... normal.
Since my cancer is in fact, marrow related, I have to keep an eye on them because once my levels get wonky again, it could be bad news.

[Meredith]

Went to the Oncologist/Hemo before Christmas - took 8 viles of blood to run the test on my low platelet count. Went today and got results, everything is normal - liver, etc. so he wants to just watch the platelet level. He did not need to do a ultrasound (I had that done last year with galbladder problems). He said mine was 119 and he has people come in that are in the 20's. He thinks it is the Rituxan treatment I had 1-1/2 yrs ago. I will go back in 6 months unless my other Weg speacialist notices it dropping drastically. Asked him if there is anything I need to watch for and he said 100's of little red bumps on my skin - said if I saw it to call immediately and he would see me that day. Happy for my news but just tired of seeing doctors - now another one on my list. My heart and prayers went out to the people that were getting cancer treatment today. I left there thinking I have nothing to complain about.

[vdub]

Plt was low on my last blood test 2 days ago. Mono% was high, lymph# low, uric acid high, sodium low, but I think everything else ok. I typically have 4 or 5 things out of range. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate these diseases? I was hurting pretty bad this evening -- everything hurt... joints, muscles, bones...

[pberggren1]

I'm so sorry to hear you are in such pain vdub. I hope your docs can figure something out fast for you.

[mishb]

Went to the Oncologist/Hemo before Christmas - took 8 viles of blood to run the test on my low platelet count. Went today and got results, everything is normal - liver, etc. so he wants to just watch the platelet level. He did not need to do a ultrasound (I had that done last year with galbladder problems). He said mine was 119 and he has people come in that are in the 20's. He thinks it is the Rituxan treatment I had 1-1/2 yrs ago. I will go back in 6 months unless my other Weg speacialist notices it dropping drastically. Asked him if there is anything I need to watch for and he said 100's of little red bumps on my skin - said if I saw it to call immediately and he would see me that day. Happy for my news but just tired of seeing doctors - now another one on my list. My heart and prayers went out to the people that were getting cancer treatment today. I left there thinking I have nothing to complain about.

Meredith that is a great result :thumbsup:

When I went to see the hematologist because of my platelet and white cells - they were high not low - he told me about the red bumps but also to get to emergency if I have severe stomach pains or a lump on my lymph glands.
Thankfully I have had none and it was found to be as a result of inflammation distorting the blood work.