Low platelets advice

[Fourbytwo93]

Hi all,

Mum has just had her 4th cycle of chemo but her platelets have been at their lowest so far and a little concerned. Chemo was delayed by almost a week as initial blood tests showed platelets at 48. They got back up to 112 so was safe to have the chemo, but I’m wondering if they will continue to drop (assuming so now after treatment) but drop further than 48.

It’s the first time they have been so low (previously they were at 142) and I’m a bit worried about her (although she is feeling ok at the moment)! Is there anything in particular that she can do to help encourage the blood cells to produce themselves, maybe diet wise? I didn’t get to ask the oncologists about this and the nurses are always so busy on the chemo floor. Also wondering of any symptoms we should look out for (aside from excessive or random bleeding)?

Would be grateful to hear of any experiences around this.

Thanks in advance!

[Kjpip]

Hi Fourbytwo93,

My platelets were at 42 last week but I had no ill effects from it - as far as I know, they just affect your ability to clot and you might bruise more easily. They went back up to 200ish by the beginning of this week so I think they fluctuate with which week of treatment you're on. Which chemo is your mum having? I'm on gem carbo. I think it's the gemcitabine that affects your platelets and as you have that drug twice, platelets might be low for 2 weeks out of the 3.

Not sure about anything you can do to increase them (apart from a transfusion if needed), sorry I can't be more helpful!

I hope your mum's platelets stay higher and chemo goes ahead without any more delays 🤞 xx

[SopSinger in reply to Kjpip]

It's not just about bruising, when platelets get very low they can cause (or more accurately, fail to stop) internal bleeding that may go undetected until it's very severe. Transfusion is often the treatment of choice, but different doctors may vary in how long they wait before deciding that transfusion is necessary.

[Mysticmeg123]

Hi. I can only advise that when my count was low, I took papaya powder with my breakfast every morning because my Ayurvedic doctor said it helps. I certainly bounced back within a week. Worth trying. You can buy this on Amazon and all good health shops. wishing your mum all the best x

[Pawpaw22 in reply to Mysticmeg123]

I may try that. Thank you.

[Beaver54]

Hi , when my platelets were low, I was told to rest and not do anything two days before treatment, and to drink plenty of water. Also to eat dark chocolate. Difficult not doing anything, but I managed the chocolate 😂.

Good luck xx

[Pawpaw22 in reply to Beaver54]

Great choice.

[Mtngirl9]

Look for small red or purple dots throughout the body called patichea. That is a common sign of very low platelets. Agree rest is critical. I had this once and I had to stop treatment and have transfusions as well as steroids. Right now they are low again and my doctor is considering a weekly shot to boost them. Be careful of any falls or hits to the head like when getting out of a car. I wish your mom all the best!

[hazelnut50]

Wishing your mom strength and healing to get through her treatments without any hiccups. Women in a breast cancer group I joined on behalf of my friend were swearing by beetroot juice and consuming beetroots, careful that it doesn't have any additives or added sugar. I bought organic cooked beetroots and added them as a side dish and boom my WBC went up to what they were before chemo started. Nothing explains that kind of jump. The injections didn't even help it that much. I don't think my oncologist buys this, but if it doesn't interfere with your mom's health and treatment (look it up) and give it a try. I think I was on my fourth chemo when this happened. I had once skipped a chemo for one week bc of lower than 1.0 counts, so it was continuing to go down. Good luck!

[Maxandralf]

I believe treatment will increase her platelets quickly. Make sure she has regular blood tests. Not too sure about diet x