Splenectomy surgery and itp

[ancientadolescent]

Can any tell me if they know of someone with a platelet count of 2 and survived a splenectomy. I am 70 and had a liver transplant 3 years ago , now I have itp and a splenectomy may be the only possible solution.

[ChrisK43]

I had a splenectomy at 36 years old after being diagnosed with chronic ITP. Prior to the procedure, the docs will likely give you a platlet transfusion to bring your counts to a safe level for surgery. Just be sure to ask you doctor about Winrho treatment, if you haven't already. It is a series of injections that can only be administered to patients that still have their spleens. The splenectomy has a 66% success rate (according to some) and perhaps that is the best course of action for you. If the splenectomy is not effectual, there is a new drug, self-administered once a day, called eltrombopag. It has kept my counts in the safe zones, barring one or two events, for the last 6 years. Good luck. I am sending good thoughts.

[JasonJ]

It's unlikely splenectomy is the only thing that could help you, there are other medicines that can help increase your platelet count. If they operate they usually use an IVIG first to raise your count. Mine goes up to 122 after having an IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin).

I think it's the same as Winrho that Chris mentioned in his reply.

I thought it wasn't usual to do a splenectomy at the age of 70, it's probably a last resort.

Make sure you are well informed and know all the options before saying yes to another operation.

Oh yeah it might be your new liver that is removing the platelets not your spleen, that's one reason why splenectomy can fail. It sounds possible as you have a new liver and now have ITP!

I am on the same medicine as Chris (eltrombopag) it's called Revolade or Promacta.

I still have my spleen at the moment by the way

Good luck

Jason

[sailor]

Hi antientadolescent from another of the same vintage. I have had ITP for 20+ years and still have my spleen. Lived for the last 12 years with a count of 10 and last year underwent a quod heart bypass. Still have ITP, spleen and feeling great.

As for yourself, spleen removal is not common these days and I agree with JasonJ. Look at the ITP website and consider a second opinion from one of the specialist centres dotted around the country. If in doubt, phone the ITP support group who will be able to advise on your nearest centre. You could also have the test to see if it is the spleen that is destroying the platelets. Certainly no point in an operation if it is not the cause plus you will be advised to take antibiotics for the rest of your life. Personally, I would go for a second opinion from one of the ITP specialists centres.

The support group have just moved into their new HQ.The number is 0844-777-0559

[Billmox]

I am 71 and I had my spleen removed when I was 38 when it was found that I had a platelet count of ten, how long I had ITP before then I do not know, but I think it had gone undiagnosed for a long time.

Ayway, my platelet has been on average 25, when apart from having surgery, when I have been given IVIG, I have not been given anything for the ITP, I to take a course of Pencillin V daly and Pneumovax vaccine every five years.

Last year it was discaovered that I had bowel cancer, and I now live with a stoma, because my platelet count was 14 at the time, I had surgrey without chemo or radiotherapy.

From what I read from other posts I think ITP affects people in different ways, I think that you should ask your doctors to check, that it is in deed your spleen an not your liver that is storeing the T cells that are reduceing the platelets.

Sorry for the long winded reply, and all the best.

[Eileen-Emily]

Hi I am 69 nearly 70 and was only diagnosed with ITP last May. So far I have had several sessions of IVIG, aizothioprine and am now receiving weekly injections of romiplostin. The romiplostin injections have given me a reading of 98 its early days and I am hoping to maintain that level as a weekly injection would be no problem. With regard to spleen removal I would be very loath to go down that route without first having had the nuclear medicine investigation that targets the area of the body that is actually destroying the platelets. I have liver problems (PBC another auto immune condition) and personally I suspect my liver is causing the platelet problem not my spleen Good Luck I hope everything works out well for you.