raised platelets

[Memaw21]

hi folks,

I’ve been on the chat a few months now and I read everyone’s posts with great interest. I have developed great respect for the way you all support each other.

I’ve had palindromic rheumatism for a few years which I managed with HRT (any change to this sends me into a flare that lasts till I get my hormone levels up again), and pain relief.

I was recently told I had RA now as well, and even though I’m phobic about taking meds, I am now taking methotrexate starting at 2.5 mg and increasing by 2.5 each month up to 15mg.

I am currently on 7.5 going up to 10 next week.

GP receptionist called the other day to tell me GP wanted my blood test repeated in 8 weeks (even though I’m getting fortnightly tests at the moment ??) as my platelet count was elevated. I looked this up and frightened myself with what this can be a symptom of.

Has anyone else experienced this and what was the outcome?

[Maisie1958]

Hello, no advice but certainly when I was having a flare of inflammatory arthritis my platelet count was high. Once the inflammation was controlled it went back to normal rapidly and been fine since. Hope it’s the same for you. It’s easy to say not to worry and it does need checking again, but as you know there are plenty of non sinister common causes of elevated platelets. All good wishes.

[Memaw21 in reply to Maisie1958]

Thanks for the reassurance and I’m glad yours went back to normal.

I’ve no inflamation at the moment, touch wood, Maybe a side effect of methotrexate, but as you say will need to see that other tests say.

Thanks again x

[Spanelmad]

Stop googling and make a GP appointment , talking to them will put your mind at rest.It sounds like they're looking for a trend in your counts.Have you seen any of your results since you started mtx?

[Memaw21]

hi, thanks for your reply. Very difficult to see GP, who didn’t even call me but got the receptionist to do it. I have an appointment with rheumatologist on 16th will ask then. And you’re so right google does not reassure.

[wilbertjellyfish]

As your bloods are fortnightly I'd wait and see what the next result is. If your diagnosis is RA you can expect to have interesting blood results from time to time and unless your a trained haematologist don't try to interpret them on your own...and especially not with Google.Over the years I've found that when I'm feeling ok my bloods have been raised and at times when I felt lots of pain the bloods were ok. I gave up worrying about them long ago.

Also the GP will have a limited understanding of RA so they may not appreciate changes in your bloods which are acceptable in the rheumatology world.

It's quite normal for the receptionist to ring to tell you about repeating bloods, I'd be more worried if the GP rang me then I'd think it was serious.

Good luck but honestly it's most likely nothing to worry about.

[Memaw21 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

I am grateful for your reassurance and hope it is an anomaly. RA seems a minefield of strange medical issues. Will try not to worry so much.

[sylvi]

I don't want to scare you but my hubby has high platelets and he is on chemo for it. If it continues he would develop cancer hence why he is on a low dose of chemo. I am not saying you will have this problem but keep on top of the blood tests darling and i hope you don't have the same problem as he does. xxxxxx

[Memaw21 in reply to sylvi]

Oh, I hope your husband keeps well and thanks for replying. I will make sure I get it checked regularly.

[sylvi in reply to Memaw21]

It has to stay i think under 800, don't quote me on that though, but ask what the figure is when you get the results darling. xxx

[Memaw21 in reply to sylvi]

Thanks Sylvi, I will xx