Hydroxychloriquine-low platelets?

[airedalelab2]

Recently diagnosed with RA and prescribed Sulphasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine. After 2 weeks I went for a blood test (at this point I was only taking 2x 500mg Sulfasalizine tablets and x2 200g Hydroxychloroquine.

Blood test showed drop below safe level of platelets and I was advised to stop the Sulphasalazine. I continued on Hydroxy. Another blood test 2 weeks later showed platelets had reduced further.

I asked if I should stop taking Hydroxy but there was a question mark about this as they said it is unlikey to be the cause and maybe wait for next blood test. Sulphasalazine usually leaves system after a few days so I am very concerned why platelets have dropped again....

1st blood test - 130

2 weeks later - 100

I can also see takes up to 3 months for Hydroxy to leave system. I don't know what to do now...

Anybody experienced similar??

Thanks

[Amnesiac3637]

I think you should probably wait for your next blood test as advised assuming that it’ll be fairly soon. If your doctor thinks your levels are too low then they’ll make a decision and may decide to take you off whatever’s causing the problem. Don't worry about it - there’s nothing you can do now to make a difference and your next tests will be the deciding factor.

[Spanelmad]

Were your platelets in the normal range before you started treatment?

[airedalelab2 in reply to Spanelmad]

Yes always been absolutely fine.

[Spanelmad in reply to airedalelab2]

Then it's definitely the meds they may decide to take you off everything .

[airedalelab2]

yes. Said I could pause the hydroxy as well but then wouldn’t know which was causing it. May reduce to x1 a day until next blood test?? Was feeling a little pain relief as well. Nightmare 🙈

[welsh12]

I would wait hydroxychloroquine is one of the milder dmards normally affects your eyes. You may have pain if you stop it suddenly particularly if you have found some releif I take it full dose

[alexis64]

I experienced the same issue, but I was told to do a citrate blood test instead of a full blood count, and it showed my platelets were fine. When I did a FBC, it showed really low platelets. I was referred to a haematologist, who said I was okay.

[Brychni]

Hi there - I have low platelets too. Have done a lot of googling (!) and asking at rheum appointments and nurse etc. It is unlikely caused by medication, least of all hydroxychloroquine which I also take. Hydroxyc. lowers platelets when too high but does not cause too low platelets. I'm not 100% certain about sulfa. but I haven't heard from medical people or read that drugs can cause too low platelets.

low platelets are however, a feature of many autoimmune conditions including RA, lupus and something and scleroderma ( I think). I sometimes get red spots and bruises and petechiae whihc I have been told is due to the low platelets and I have been really pancking about it but have been reassured that at me levels it won't cause any problems.

I've had episodes of the bruisees and spots whihc were quite bad and a few years ago extrememly heavy periods and nose bleeds. I assume that at these times the levels dropped for a while. Overall and since then the only sign is the spots and bruises and I think I've exhausted my worry about them so they don'treally bother me any more.

Hope that helps. 🙂

[airedalelab2]

Thank you for all the replies, I really appreciate it.

I guess treating RA is not as straightforward as I'd hoped and will take time to get things settled with the right medication. It's all been a lot to get my head round.

I also have the red spots and bruising due to low platelets, which is a bit of a worry. Just hoping this settles down and next blood test does not reveal platelets any lower.

Thanks again