Raised platelets

[glyndale]

Hello a quick question, currently undergoing tests, all negative apart from raised platelets am awaiting a bone marrow biopsy ,but my consultant has suggested i reduce and stop my Citalopram.Any idea why.Thanks.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Sinylg, you will need to ask your consultant or GP for the reason this has been suggested to you, I would ring him/her and ask before you make any changes to medication. Kind regards, Maz

[glyndale in reply to Mazcd]

He suggested my citalopram may be causing my raised platelets. Thanks for your advice i am not stopping them until I understand why.

[Tico in reply to glyndale]

Hi sinylg. As Citalopram is an anti- Depression drug it should not be stopped suddenly without first consulting the person who prescribed the citalopram to you because of the withdrawal symtoms you could experience in the event of just stopping suddenly. The reason the Haematologist as asked you to stop is more than likely to see if it is the cause of your raised platelets. Certain medication such as anti-depressants can interfere with your blood cells. The best thing to do is get the prescriber of the Citalopram to phone your Haematologist and both of them can decide what is best for your situation but as i've said,do not stop the Citalopram until they have consulted. Atb,tina.🤗

[glyndale in reply to Tico]

Hello i havent stopped it and my gp is going to ask my consultant.Thank you for your advice much appreciated.

[Irishgal12]

Am not sure why they would say stop citalopram. What is your count. I have high platelets all other cbc normal pending investigation

[Cassie11]

What is Citralapan?

[glyndale]

Anti depressant.👍

[hunter5582]

Best to check this out with both docs, but here is what is the likely answer. One of the Serious Reactions to Citalopram is "abnormal bleeding/altered platelet function. " Many of the SSRIs have this risk as the alteration in the reuptake of serotonin can alter how your platelets function (interfere with clotting).

It is VERY important to not discontinue Citalopram suddenly as it risks a rebound effect. Titration is needed to come off this med if you do need to discontinue it. This really is a matter of balancing your risks and benefits from the med. Please be sure to get your docs to talk to each other and have both explain to you the risks/benefits. Once you understand - then you can make the best decision for yourself.

Hope that helps.

[Nshtel in reply to hunter5582]

You have excellent information,I always read and learn new matter in your comments, you might be a doctor?

[hunter5582 in reply to Nshtel]

Not a doc. My background is in clinical psychology. Due to the type of mental health work I did prior to retirement, I learned a fair bit about medications. My own health journey has taught me quite a bit more. I do use resources like ePocrates, professional journals, and great forums like this to expand my own base of knowledge. I find the sharing information helps me clarify my own thinking and hopefully occasionally helps someone else as well.

[glyndale]

Oh thats really helpful i am trying to reduce them see if it makes a difference. Many thanks much appreciated

[Pte82]

My wife lowered her platelets with red palm tocotrienol

[glyndale in reply to Pte82]

Oh thats interesting. Thank you.

[grgracey in reply to Pte82]

She has an ET problem?Is that drug prescribed by the hema?

[Pte82 in reply to grgracey]

No grgracey, when she was on Hydrea then Anagrelide and her platelets remained around a million. I began researching and learned about tocotrienol a form of vitamin E. I then learned tocotrienol from red palm oil, not rice or annatto, may decrease platelets. She asked her oncologist if she could try it with her Anagrelide and he said yes. She started with 100 mg once a day for a week to see any reactions. There were none. She the went to two a day and her blood test showed a platelet reduction. She then took one with each meal and as the platelets lowered her doctor reduced the Anagrelide daily dose. I want to stress, this was her experience and may not apply to others. Always check with your doctor before using any non prescribed supplement. I also want to mention the importance of learning what products your using or work environment your in that involve benzene or toluene as they have a high probability of causing ET.

[Camelian]

I have just titrated myself off citalopram I did it gradually over a substantial number of months. I have ET Jak 2 + my hemotologist never asked or advised me to come off citalopram I made the decision to come off them myself.

Hunter your post is very interesting I'd read a few bits and pieces about the same. I know doctors have to weigh up the risks Vs benefits when prescribing but I think potential risks should be discussed with the patient so an informed decision can be made by the patient in if they want to continue with the medication or not-neither my gp nor my hemotologist mentioned any risks to me?