Low Platelet count

[Sooz34]

My husband had s heart bypass in December 2023 and had a low platelet count prior to surgery of 284. After his surgery he received approx 12 pints of blood dye to complications. He has had no after care from the recovery point of view so no one he can ask.He has recently had a check blood test and the level has dropped to 148..he is worried as had a phone call (which he had waited 2 weeks for) and the Dr's first words was 'why am I ringing you' he explained and she obviously was a junior Dr at the surgery for experience.

As he didn't get a proper answer he tried the surgery to see a senior GP but it is the usual answer 'ring at 8am' Friday as the Dr isn't there tomorrow. Its making him very anxious any advice very welcome 😊

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Sorry this was posted 3 days ago and no one replied

I know that my iron levels since my Bypass over 2 years ago really dropped and they have not seemed to have come back up but as always my Doctor just says she is not worried

I hope by now your Husband has been able to speak to someone if not then keep going till he does get to speak to a Dr that knows what they are doing

I wonder if he has any Rehab Nurses he can talk to and also have you tried phoning the BHF Nurses they are very good they can at least give you advice

I will put their number on for you

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[Sooz34 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you so much for your reply and the telephone number. My husband has not had any cardiac rehab ..nit one call etc despite him ringing and trying to get some. Southend University Hospital couldn't be bothered to get him in. So he has been depressed, worried etc and just been left. He hasn't got a rehab nurse either (I have heart failure and neither do I so I'm not suprised). Just I will ring the BHF helpline Monday and get them to have a chat with him. Thank you again.

[BeKind28- in reply to Sooz34]

Hello

I am so sorry to read this he should have been offered Rehab and has been let down

I would put a complaint in to PALS at the Hospital he was in about this and the effect it has had on him

Have you thought about contacting your local MP many of us have including myself and they usually will look at the situation and start asking questions on your behalf worth a go

Are your Doctors any good ?

It could be worth talking to them

I hope as they are very helpful that the BHF Rehab Nurses will be able to give you some good advice if you have time let us know how the call goes and it helps it would be nice to hear from you x

[Sooz34 in reply to BeKind28-]

Yes I was thinking of asking the Pals people to haveca look at this for us. Our GP is dire as its taken 2 weeks for me to get an appointment for my husband to see a doctor who can explain why his platelets are so low. We got palmed off with a student doctor early the week before last in a phone appointment which they hadn't any idea of the problem and didn't want to explain they just said not to worry!! It's so frustrating but your advice will be taken and we will contact Pals and our MP as I'm feeling this is dangerous if for instance you don't have a relative and get unwell and fall etc. You could die without anyone caring. Thank you so much for your help x

[BeKind28- in reply to Sooz34]

Hello

Regretfully we sometimes have to push to get what we need when it should just be given us

I would contact Pals and my MP and possibly try and get in a see another Doctor at the surgery

It is never easy I know but sometimes we have to stay firm and not take no for an answer

I think your MP will or should be interested in how you have not had the care and support and Pals will have to at least listen and give a full explanation as to why no after care was given

Stay strong and let us know how you get on x

[Sooz34 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you again and we are seeing a different GP tomorrow to try to get answers. If this is another appointment that doesn't give us answers we will do a letter to our MP. Pals are going to be contacted tomorrow too. I just feel that after a surgery etc the last thing you need is a fight which is why we have tried over and over to get the rehab through normal routes. Really appreciate your advice on this..thank you again.

[BeKind28- in reply to Sooz34]

Hello

It is true the last thing you need is this but so many of us have been in this position wrong as it is

Fingers crossed I an sure you will get something done and look forward to hearing how you get on x

[Vegart]

Hello, Sooz34. I am sorry to learn of your husbands health issues. Some anti-platelet medicines can have the side-effect of Thrombocytopenia, the lowering the levels of platelets in the blood. One of those is Clopidogrel, which the NICEBNF websitem in the Drugs Section, lists as having that as an "Uncommon Side Effect. After my Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft op, in April, 2023, I was given an infusion of platelets. However, despite being prescribed Clopidogrel for the year after that, my platelet levels have been reasonable. The Heart Ward, in the hospital where your husband had his op, might be worth contacting. Otherwise, you could phone 111, and tel them of your concern; then they might contact your GP Practice on your behalf.

[Sooz34 in reply to Vegart]

Thank you so much for your help and ideas. My husband is not on the medication you mentioned but I'll speak to the GP Monday as we have an appointment to discuss this problem and ask why and how we can get this low level brought up. I'm totally unhappy about lack of cardiac rehab - he had none. No cardiac nurse we can ask etc so we feel cut adrift. Thank you again..I appreciate your time replying .

[Sooz34]

I'll post any updates as, like you say, someone else may need to know as well. Best wishes and thanks so much xx

[Sooz34]

Just a quick update we contacted PALS and they have until Friday to contact us re the issue and we saw a more senior GP who reassured my husband and said he has had low platelet levels since 2010!! Nice to be told that as he had no idea and was worried sick. Think he will be seeing this GP from now on when possible as he was fantastic.