TOPIC:

Here's a good thread for you to read through.

pdsa.org/forum-sp-534/7-treatment-general/27203-splenectomy-on-march-13th.html?limitstart=0

Hi ret,

I've just re-read the thread that sandi has posted above. Definitely worth still hoping for the best!

I debated rituximab along the journey and understand your reluctance to wait a year. I did research rituximab in pregnancy and one study didn't find any link between birth defects and rituximab - it's only small scale research though. I also tried mycophenylate (cellcept) because if you can get a remission you can try to conceive 3 months after the last pill. I don't know if you can take immunosuppressants after a splenectomy though?

I hope the coming few weeks will help your counts stabilise & you'll reach a safe point. Still have everything crossed for you!!

I'm not sure about the Cellcept. I'll ask at my next appointment. My one hematologist gets upset if I don't treat when my counts go below 50. She was not thrilled when I refused Nplate Monday, but I have to see how bad it gets after the surgery. We have argued in the past when I was seeing how low the counts would go without Nplate but before the surgery. She means well, but I'm waiting on my university hematologist to come back from vacation to discuss the options we have left. I might have to stop seeing the cautious one as I don't have the energy to argue every appointment. Unfortunately she's the one with more flexible hours. Anyway, thanks for listening. I'll try to stay positive, but since I'm not feeling ill, I'm not sure how likely it is for my counts to go up. The surgeon was definitely surprised at how quickly the counts fell. I definitely want to give it some time. I'm not ready to give up just yet.

Was hoping to find women who got pregnant while using nplate just like you that's all that works on me and ivig. I got pregnant wasn't planned but I have been on ivig for 26 weeks now have had a few drops but going better then expected. I wish there was more research on nplate my drs told me the same thing there's not enough research and they don't know the effects I couldn't take the chance seeing as this is probably my one and only chance of having a baby. I would worry way too much I find relief in knowing in delivery if necessary I have ivig, high Iv steroids and transfusions. I just hope my little boy isn't born with itp

Ret:

For some reason, surgeons think that splenectomies work more often than they actually do. Counts falling that fast is not uncommon. But they do sometimes rebound. I truly hope your do.