my wife was just in the hospital with a platelet count of zero. They released her when it improved to 68. This is her first experience of this kind.
Question?
we are scheduled to go on a 3 week vacation to Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Israel in 30 days.
I’m stressing over her platelet count dropping below the critical number and she bumps her head or something and bleeds out.
Should we cancel our trip and wait until the level of her itp becomes clearer?
Thanks,
Jon
The problem with platelets is they seem to an affect people differently. You really need to take advice from your doctor if it’s safe to travel and if you do make sure you have travel insurance covering the condition.
I have had ITP for 8 years and regularly travel, we are just back from a 4 week overseas trip. I was prescribed Eltrombopag and currently my platelet level is about 80. For me this is a safe level and I have no concerns or restrictions to my life. However I have had 8 years to get used to the condition and understand how it affects me. Perhaps your wife my need a little time to understand if this was a one off event or how it’s going to affect her longer term.
it can be scary when this happens, but as long as she is responding well to treatment and the fact her count has gone up to 68 is a great sign. My haematologist said anything above 50 is good, so she is at less risk of anything serious happening. I have lived with this condition for over 37 years and I have learnt that you still need to live your life, don’t let fear get in the way. Obviously make sure the specialists are aware you are going away, but enjoy, most of those countries will have good care if anything was to happen. Make sure you have good travel insurance as a back up. I hope you have a great time and just be sensible. But as I said earlier don’t let it become the dominant focus, make having a good time and enjoying the holiday the focus 😀
I think you can check with your hermertology to see your wife can take 4 days dexamethasone that can boost the plates in 2-3 days and stay high over a while. Then take another blood test before you leave.
Take advice from you Haematologist. Once under control with medication that works for her then there would probably be no problem. You do not say how they got her to 68 from 0. If it was just steroids then she could carry on taking them on holiday. If it was IVIG then that is a very temporary get her out of trouble fix.
Not sure I am adding anything. But what did they use to get her platelets up? Can you take some with you.....Or ask yoyr heamotologist for steroids, easy to take whikst away...even a small dose.
When i sm feeling worried i take tranexemic acid ....no effect on platelets but helps clotting. The only thing I guess is tak8ng this when flying because of danger of blood clots. Suprisingly low platelets dont exempt you from blood clots. Cant remember why, i am not a medic
Definitely discuss this all tbrough with heamoltolgy with aim of having a safe good trip x good luck
Zero is scary but I would love 68! I hover around 50 and whenever I travel the week before I beef up my prednisone doses a little just to make sure and go back to normal levels upon return. But mos def talk to your hemo.
need to ask her clinician but also discuss with your travel insurer.
In truth I would ask the specialist or doctor dealing with her case as depending if they identified the cause of the problem and the treatment they are prescribing is holding her platelets count steady then they Will say if ok on another note if they have identified the cause and it is something like itp or a known medical condition you will have to sort out travel insurance to cover any problems that might arise
Low Platelet Count and Alcohol
Internal bleeding in brain due to itp
Husband diagnosed w/ ITP
Can beef make a difference?
