A little depressed.

[grannygoodwitch]

My platelets have dropped again now at 34,000 this is probably not bad but I am getting a bit worried. I just got over a cold and it took about the normal time 7 days and I took only 2 buckley pills and remembered No acetominaphen allowed. I tried all the home remedies that I could find and they seemed to help. When my last blood test in Feb said platelets 41,000 and now they are 34,000 I do not know if this is because of the cold or if they would have fallen this far anyway. If it is because of the cold will they go up again or do they stay in this range until they fall again. I do not know if I should get another blood test in a week or two.. I have an as needed req. and I know my hemotologist said it may come down to every two weeks but then I have to get a new Dr. for he is leaving. I am taking nothing and my clotting factor is still good. No cancer so the Dr. knows it is ITP. I am eating better but still have not gotten back into any real form of exercise. I like swimming but it gets expensive. I have a tread-mill but I can't seem to get into that either. I fall asleep sitting up watching t.v. which is a pain for my head just bobs around to the point where I tell myself lets go lie down but when I do that I just wake up and can not just lie there. I know I should not get depressed but with a lot of things that went on in my life It is hard not too. I have tried new fruits and things but obviously nothing really helps. Any suggestions. Just a little down.

[Topography52_-]

Hi, keep yourself healthy, and look after you it is the unknown of itp what I find can be hard to understand but I tell myself you can rule itp or let it rule you I know which one I choose once it all sinks in you may start to feel better and remember you now have an extended family, take care and your not alone .

[grannygoodwitch in reply to Topography52_-]

Thank you for the fast reply. This is all new to me but I am glad I found this site. I never let anything rule me at least not for long. I guess one of the reasons why I am down is the Dr. that has been really treating me is leaving and I do not want my GP being the only Dr. I see. She is fast for getting me into see specialists but that is as far as I trust her. I will ask her for another referral as soon as she calls with my results. I get them within 7 hours and it takes her anywhere from 1-2 weeks to get in touch with me. I guess the worry is that by the time she phones me will my platelets have fallen again and I do not know it.

[Topography52_- in reply to grannygoodwitch]

Eveyone on this site can tell you it is do easy to become obsessed with platelets take it from me as i know as for your gp your new one will have all your info and will continue to do just as good a job I go for weekly bloods and mine are 36 at the moment have been 52 at their best I now just go with the flow live is for living not for platelets if you get my drift : ))) it is early days believe me it will get easier things are sent to test us and itp is that testing dizziness,fatigue, bruising the list goes on take care.

[prudencepayes]

Hi. Try not to worry about a count of 34 - that's absolutely fine. I've had ITP for 9 years and in that time my platelets have gone up and down like a yo-yo. 2 weeks ago the count was 9. Yesterday it was 68 ! I've been told it can change significantly within a day or 2. I have blood tests when my haematologist suggests but I can arrange an extra test if I feel that they are dropping fast. I needed no treatment for many years and only started medication when the count dropped to 17. I've spent years trying to analyse if there is any food or drink that is having an impact but I can't say I've come up with anything. I do think that for me stress has a bearing and obviously that can be hard to avoid, but I have stressed about the ITP and then got into a downward spiral. My approach now is to remember that the count has been in single figures several times and I have felt tired but not had any disasters. My life is precious and I'm coming up to retirement in a years time and I intend to really enjoy it and plan to live for a long time !

[ItsRalphy]

Hi grannygoodwitch. I understand you are fairly new to the Itp journey. As time goes by you will get more familiar with possible triggers for platelet drops (mine can drop with cold virus, certain foods and meds, tho sometimes we can find no reason).

For many people with Itp fatigue can be a big issue. Sometimes I've felt so exhausted I feel I could fall asleep while walking to school to pick kids up.

Also, depression can sneak up on you. Seratonin (the body's natural 'feel happy' chemical) is carried in platelets (as well as other areas of the body) and we, of course, have less platelets to do that job.

But each person's journey is different. The upside for me is that I have never been more in touch with my body and the way it works. I pay more attention now to having a healthy diet and exercise. I feel I am more healthy now since being diagnosed Itp than ever before when I took my body for granted.

There is always an upside ... sometimes you just need to look harder to find it... read the stories on this site... the people here can help feel like you're not doing this alone. I have down days but know I'm susceptible so make an effort to do something nice or have a treat to cheer me up. Sometimes just writing a post and getting helpful replies can make you feel better too.

Good luck with your journey. It will get easier with time.

[grannygoodwitch in reply to ItsRalphy]

Thank you for your reply I truly like this site.

[Monty55555]

Hello Grannygoodwitch

I would try not to get to down about it, my platelet count hasn't been above 7000 for about 3 months, I am currently on Nplate but it isn't working, do drug has worked yet, the only thing that seems to work is Immunoglobulin which I love having as it makes me feel more human, I am having some tomorrow but it will only last a week before my immune system kills it off. I've had to stop playing Football after 14 years at a good level which is the worst bit but the way I look at it is there are a lot worse things people have to live with so I count myself lucky in that sense. we all have our up's and down's but stay positive and not let it take over your life.

take care

[grannygoodwitch in reply to Monty55555]

Thank you for your reply everyone on here is so helpful.

[dede7]

I believe vitamin d helps with fatigue and also I take vitamin b and c; rest helps!

[grannygoodwitch in reply to dede7]

Thank you for your reply, it is nice to have this site and people who actually have the problem for sometimes the Dr.s just do not know what to say or what to do.

[holcotts]

hello grannygw!

my sister gave me a nutrimix blender thingy and i put fruits vegetables and seeds in - think my plateleys have been better since i started doing that. (chia seeds, kale, lime, oriander and loads a fruits!) PLUS i take a papaya leaf extract......plus when i remember vitamin c and d.....plus eat good and take plenty sleep!!!! sometomes i feel up, and sometimes down! oh yes also on small dose steroiud which i am reducing down.........a little bit excercise always good but dont walways feel like it, so good when someone kicks me in the backside to go!!!!

take care, do what you can including what you want (sometimes tv and chocolate makes you feel better than anything x)

[grannygoodwitch]

Thank you for your reply. I would love to have chocolate but with a fatty liver and an enlarged spleen that is a no, no. I have been eating more fruits and veggies especially dark veggies and I have lost weigh. I am going to go back to swimming and maybe get back on the treadmill. I love swimming, I could stay in the water for ever. I did just get over a cold which lasted a week and then I forgot and had my blood taken. I am sure that is why the platelets went down but I never heard from anyone if they go up after your cold is finished.

[DAVIDJOEL]

I got diagnosed in November 2016 with ITP at 53,000 and decided to try one thing at a time so I can pinpoint what is effective and what's not, much to the amusement of my hematologist. On January 1 I went gluten free. I mean, no way was I giving up alcohol right out of the gate although I've cut down. On March 22nd my platelets were at 58, so not a dramatic boost but I hear the GF effects take up to a year. Will keep you updated. FYI--GF pizza is the worst!

[grannygoodwitch in reply to DAVIDJOEL]

Thank you for your reply. I had to give up alcohol because of my fatty liver and my enlarged spleen but no worries it is okay. I do not think I could do GF but then I try to not have bread or pasta etc so maybe that will help me. I had a pizza the other night not gluten free but had such bad GERD I do not think I will ever have another one as long as I live. HAHAHAH

[Morgan]

I don't know what country you live in but in the UK there are walking groups called

Walking for Health ( walkingforhealth.org.uk/

) and this is a good way to exercise and make friends. I walk twice a week and have made a lot of good friends, we all chat in a cafe after the walk. You can walk at your own pace and a walk leader will remain with you if needed.

[grannygoodwitch in reply to Morgan]

I live in Canada and I have not heard of such a group but I will look it up. Thank you.

[grannygoodwitch in reply to grannygoodwitch]

I just remembered where I live we have a great sportspex that allows free walking up stairs and it is big. 5 laps = 1 Km. so I am going to get some good running shoes and comfee clothes and I am going to start walking and I am going back swimming asap.