Does anyone else suffer with low platelets, if... - Behçet's UK
Does anyone else suffer with low platelets, if so do you know why? Mine have been low for 6 weeks..not sure why? maybe the Infliximab ?
I think the normal course of events in Behcets; which is an inflammatory disease, is for the platelets to be raised. I know mine are raised and that's what was explained to me. However I do know from a conversation I had with my consultant about potential medications a year or so ago that infliximab can certainly lower the platelet count - in fact, it has been known to lower every blood component; not all in the same person, of course!
You've got a good starting point here, haven't you? You know your platelets have been reduced for 6 weeks so you need to be looking at what went on in your life round about that time. A change in meds perhaps?
Thankyou mine were raised they have dropped significantly....They are rising slowly now..My meds have changed this week to adding more 
for the dreadful pain i have had...fingers crossed these work ..
I think the significance is whether they are too low. The Immune supressants we are on such as infliximab, lower the white and red cells. The idea is to lower the immune system is to stop the inflammation/disease but not to lower it so much that we are left open to having no immune system left to fight infections and other diseases etc. We have to look at all the blood test results and not just the one [i.e Hb, WBC, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, esr etc].
These are an indication to the Doctors if the medication were are on is at the right level or too much. Too little platelets could also be down to a systemic infection of some sort, which we are all prone to with immune suppressants.
The platelets can lower and raise again on their own accord and the fact they have and the Doctor raised your meds, would suggest that thankfully you do not have any other condition that would lower the platelets.
You say your meds were changed to more this week but you do not say which one's as some medications can actually raise the platelets such as prednisolone.
Not easy is it that's why we need to speak to our Doctors really with these sorts of questions as it is all your blood tests results combined that spell out your individual situation.
I really hope the change in meds help the pain you are in.
Andrea
