Platelets

[kitcat49]

My platelets are up to 944(norm is 140 to400)...Dr is getting concerned as I am getting 'ocular migraines'. I also notice more frequent fluttery heartbeat that often makes me cough but what is really weird is a tender spot that feels like a goose egg at the base of my skull (top of brainstem)...Any thoughts ??

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Hi Cat,

I see from your previous posts that you've had some difficult life challenges and anxiety can be challenging to live with, so you are doing well given these new symptoms must be worrying you.

How long have you had this 'goose egg' tender spot and have you noticed any change in its size or how it feels? It could be a swollen lymph node, but you really should get to your doctor and have it checked out as soon as you can.

With regard to your high platelets, what treatment, if any, have you had for your CLL? Have you had a splenectomy or other pre-existing medical condition that could be related to this? Are you on any medication or unusual diets or taking supplements that might be behind this increase? Have your platelets increased suddenly or have they been trending up over recent blood tests? Have you had any discussion with your doctor or specialist about your platelet levels in the past? (I would have expected your doctor and/or specialist would have noticed this high reading on your last blood test result and contacted you to discuss what further investigation needed to be done, rather than just getting concerned...) These are the questions that come to me. Anyway, you'll have the opportunity to ask your doctor about what could be behind your high platelet levels when you have that urgent appointment about that lump. And don't forget to ask about your fluttery heart beat.

I hope that you can quickly get some reassurance from your doctor, whom I presume knows your complete medical history that will hopefully help find the causes of these worrying changes in your health.

Neil

[kitcat49 in reply to AussieNeil]

Re: 'Goosey'..It's here today gone tomorrow so probably isn't anything,which is probably what he'll say too,ha ha. As for the platelets...steady increase with a spike recently. It may be that we've increased my Premarin because of intollerable hot flashes and night sweats,sleepless nights. ( I'm 65)

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to kitcat49]

That's encouraging to hear about 'Goosey'. I meant to say earlier that our fingertips seem to feel lumps much bigger than they really are - particularly when we can't see them and we are naturally concerned about what we can't easily assess. It's still worth asking about it to get a professional opinion, plus it will be on your record if you need to seek a follow-up.

I hope your platelets also settle down, though it would be good to know what's behind their steady increase. Pity you can't share some around as there are plenty of us here that could do with a boost .

Neil

[kitcat49 in reply to AussieNeil]

No kidding eh and I would gladly share.Dr is talking about drawing off enough blood to get me down to a 250 count(from 944)

[Peggy4]

I certainly think it would be wise to get this checked out. Sometimes, when we are particularly worried or stressed we tend to notice every little change in ourselves that would under normal circumstances pass us by. Certainly, since my own diagnosis, every tiny thing is attributed to my CLL whereas before I would barely have noticed it. Unfortunately, with our condition, we are constantly on 'red alert'. The 'goose egg' however I would get an opinion on.Best wishes. Peggy.

[LKVVZ]

DId you have high platelets prior to CLL? I only ask because I have ET and know everything there is to know about high platelets. Mine currently sit at 700. Had the condition for about 11 yrs now.

[kitcat49 in reply to LKVVZ]

Aha...finally ! Not to many ET's around,it is , I found , on the rare disease list. I'm not really sure how long I've had it. I was diagnosed with cll 1999,told about it 2006(strange ?) but nothing was said about the et but then with a couple moves and gp changes it all got ignored mostly by me.The gp who finally told me about it in 2006 ,did such a good job of diminishing it's importance that I refused to even go to cancer clinic when they called....My platelets got up to 1148,as of last Dec were 243.(I'm on Hydroxyurea..and you ??......Cat

[virdieblue]

I just went through a run of migraines. (Does ocular mean you get visual disturbances?_) Had those. Very tender behind my ear, scalp hurt. After much stress it turned out to be problems with the nerves in my neck. If your neck muscles are tight it can feel like a lump. I am having physical therapy for that.

Virginia

[kitcat49 in reply to virdieblue]

Yes, that is what 'ocular' means to the best of my knowledge. When my platelets were at their highest I had two different episodes where my complete field of vision was obstructed..a real light show but no pain..ocular migraines apparently., sometimes called 'silent migraines'. I still get them now and then (my platelets being back to normal now) but nothing like those two episodes, praise God !....Sounds like your migraines are brought by stress for sure...a couple of anti inflamatories and ice packs, dark room and pleasant thoughts might help....Cat