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Low platelet

Esther66 profile image
18 Replies

I have lymphoma and my platelets are dropping each month, it is now down to 74, is it safe to drink alcohol once a week on nights out ?

Has anyone else got lymphoma and low platelet count?

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Esther66 profile image
Esther66
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18 Replies
tartan_paint profile image
tartan_paint

I have low platelets and my specialist has never once told me not to drink, never mentioned alcohol to me at all, basically says try to avoid getting injured. My count was as low as 20, it's now up to 60 with Revolade 50mg pills each day, these are very expensive. I get drunk plenty of times, maybe once or twice a week and nothing happens out of the ordinary, though I am a Scotsman :) I am unsure what Lymphoma is though, so just giving you my point of view from the low platelet side of things.

TraceyITP profile image
TraceyITP in reply totartan_paint

I love wine, and that is the hardest thing for me to give up. Alcohol does affect my platelets. My counts range from 10,000 to 30,000. It must be different for everyone, my doctor knows I have a glass or two each month. Stress and lack of sleep also don't help. I am currently getting Nplate shots.

Tenk profile image
Tenk in reply toTraceyITP

I've been wondering about alcohol too. I only tend to have a pint or a glass of wine each 'session' but some weeks it is three or four days. I actually think I have started to drink more since being diagnosed! I will be asking my haematologist about this next meeting.

Agree about stress and lack of sleep. Personally think this is the sole cause of my current single figures.

Topography52_- profile image
Topography52_- in reply toTenk

Completely agree it is a vicious circle I suffer with fatigue linked to my itp (my oponion) and I do try not to stress overall though life can be very stressful so its no win situation I find I snooze in the afternoon helps : )

Esther66 profile image
Esther66 in reply totartan_paint

Thanks for your reply lymphoma is cancer in the glans so maybe I should ask me doctor at my next appointment .

bipolaroller profile image
bipolaroller

I have non-hodgkin's and now low platelets. Nothing worked for long. Nplate working for the most part above 50,000. Tolerable side effects.

Esther66 profile image
Esther66 in reply tobipolaroller

Sorry what is Nplate mean? Sorry I'm new to all this. I've got 6 lymph that are 2.5cm the others are smaller. My platelets is 74 and dropping. Have you had any chemotherapy or any other medication for yours?

bipolaroller profile image
bipolaroller

I was diagnosed 6 years ago and was on watch and wait. Nodes became large and did chemo and it worked for two years but side effects were awful. Then after those two years had a different kind of drug called Rituxan and it was easy and reduced some large nodes to safe sizes. It has been one year since knock on wood and will probably need it again. The chemo med was called Treanda. Most doctors use both t the same time. I have a slow growing non-hodgkin's. Hodgkin's is often cureable, non-hodgkin's not cureable. Although there are more than 100 types of lymphoma. I go to a major University hospital nearby. I hope this helps!

bipolaroller profile image
bipolaroller

Nplate is for low platelets which happened a year ago. Still have my spleen but have been through many failed and often horrible drugs until Nplate. It is a weekly injection.

Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555 in reply tobipolaroller

have you not had your spleen scanned to see if it is destroying your platelets? I have had mine scanned and it shows that it was destroying mine so as all the drugs haven't worked for me including Nplate. so awaiting an op date to take my spleen out.

Esther66 profile image
Esther66 in reply toMonty55555

I've had scanned and it's enlarged 13.5 cm but that's all he said about it.

Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555 in reply toEsther66

Good morning Esther, I’ve never had mine measured but I am have my spleen removed I have an appointment today as part of the pre op

Esther66 profile image
Esther66 in reply toMonty55555

Good luck

bipolaroller profile image
bipolaroller

You should be asking your doctor as many questions as you need answered. The nursing staff usually is there for via the phone.

bipolaroller profile image
bipolaroller

I did not intend to reply that you should not ask questions here. I now recall when it was all new to me and how lost I felt. I scoured the internet for info and got support from Immerman's Angels. They assign a volunteer which the same dx to chat with. It is a long road of confusion. Feel free to ask any questions here or anywhere.

bipolaroller profile image
bipolaroller

I feel for you. This lymphoma/ITP is life changing.

Julie115 profile image
Julie115

Alcohol can cause your platelets to drop I stopped drinking

BurntToast profile image
BurntToast

Alcohol makes no difference unless you are an alcoholic and have therefore damaged your liver. I have non hodgkins skin lymphoma and am on watch and wait. The ITP came long before and is completely separate. I was treated with Nplate for a long time but now have platelet counts that are reasonable and don't need to treat at the moment.

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