TOPIC:

(cross posting this from the New ITP section)

I was given a probable diagnoses of ITP (we didnt do a bone marrow to confirm tho) before I fell pregnant.. I'm now 31 weeks. The ITP issue cropped up after a miscarriage. I'm 22 yrs old no other health concerns. All my other bloodwork is great.

My platelets stay between 60,000-120,000. I never have bleeding issues. Or bruising.

Since pregnant, my White blood count has risen. It went from the 11-12 range, to 15. They say leukocytosis was possible, and pregnancy can induce it. I also have a tooth that needs a root canal, if that could cause minor elevation of WBC. My hemo didn't think so. ???

My hematologist said lets just monitor things for now. But that was after he terrified me and told me theres a chance it could be leukemia..he was very rude, and insensitive about it and didn't ease any of my fears. We did a flocytometry to and that showed no evidence of chronic leukemias (I insited that he do that test after he scared me talking about leukemias). However, now he is saying it doesn't rule out pre-leukemias. He wanted to do a bone marrow aspiration (while Im pregnant).

So I have switched Doctors, I found his bedside manner unappealing, and didn't appreciate how abrasive he was in handling my care, basically he told a pregnant woman she could have leukemia, before explaining himself. He also admitted he has never dealt with pregnant patients, so he is unaware of the things pregnancy itself can cause. I left each appointment with him in tears, so clearly he was not the right doctor for me.

NOW I am stressed, and scared thinking the worst. I have my new hematologist appt Wednesday. My OB seems to think its possible all of this is caused BY the pregnancy. But not being a blood expert, she wants me to consult with a hemo to make sure we're on track.

Has anyone here had a similar thing happen? My gut feels like the 1st hema blew this out of proportion, and that my body is just strange from pregnancy. I hope. i'm extremely stressed over this, and thats definately not good for baby!

Any thoughts?

what a jerk! I think I'd have a hard time keeping my tongue with that doctor! I'm afraid I'd have to let it loose! Ok, maybe not, but I would want to. Anyway, it seems to me that I have read somewhere that pregnancy can mess with your counts. Ugh...I don't remember where I read it. Sorry. If I see it again I'll let you know.

This is what happened. Literally. He walks in to show me my bloodwork, and says "this could be something like leukemia.. I just havent any clue what it could be...hmm..its really stumping me. We can do bloodwork to see if there is evidence of leukemia. But dont worry, even if it IS, there are treatments during pregnancy"

ME:

Him: Wait, let me have a moment. *walks out* Returns into room 5 minutes later. "Okay, I just talked to your OB who informed me white blood cell elevation can be common in pregnancy and is called "leukocytosis". So, we're thinking thats all it is. No worries now, we don't need to do the other tests for now, we will just monitor it."

I demanded to have them done anyways.. since he scared me SO BAD.

Nice bedside manner, right?

That is just unbelievable. I would totally write him off and go somewhere else! He obviously has NO idea how to care for or properly treat someone who is pregnant with ITP. I can tell this by his little reaction: "Okay, I just talked to your OB who informed me white blood cell elevation can be common in pregnancy and is called "leukocytosis". So, we're thinking thats all it is. No worries now, we don't need to do the other tests for now, we will just monitor it."

Honestly, all your tests checked out fine! I think you just need to focus on the task at hand: possibly raising those platelets, and let your NEW AND MORE EXPERIENCED hematologist decipher the "in betweens." You're going to be just fine. It will probably all dissipate after you deliver and you won't even need to come onto the forum for advice Good luck!

Natalie

NatalieM wrote:

That is just unbelievable. I would totally write him off and go somewhere else! He obviously has NO idea how to care for or properly treat someone who is pregnant with ITP. I can tell this by his little reaction: "Okay, I just talked to your OB who informed me white blood cell elevation can be common in pregnancy and is called "leukocytosis". So, we're thinking thats all it is. No worries now, we don't need to do the other tests for now, we will just monitor it."

Honestly, all your tests checked out fine! I think you just need to focus on the task at hand: possibly raising those platelets, and let your NEW AND MORE EXPERIENCED hematologist decipher the "in betweens." You're going to be just fine. It will probably all dissipate after you deliver and you won't even need to come onto the forum for advice Good luck!

Natalie

Thats really how it happened, too! It was scary! You want to trust your doctors, so its hard when you get a total..What the hell moment, over them. LOL

I hope it does dissipate. Thank you for all your responses (on this thread and my other)

Hi Texasmom

I have just been through an ITP pregnancy and my son is now 5 weeks old.
My last CBC was done the day my son was born, and showed I had a WBC of 19.1. I only know this as I read the lab reports, the Dr's didn't seem concerned. I was on steroids so I don't know if this made a difference. I don't have cancer, I had a BMB done at 17 wks pregnant. What a horrible Dr, I can't believe he treated you like that.
I hope you are feeling better about things.
Let us know how it is going.

Emma