Platelet Count and Low WBC

I have been seeing hemotolgist since Nov. I broke my wrist and during CBC my platelet count was down to 41,000. I had IVIG before my surgery and they went up to 65,000. My last 2 visits were 53,000 and 48,000. Hemo has said he is 90% sure I have chronic ITP. This week I saw my GP for blood work and he called this morning with 35,000. Also, have had WBC of 2.73 the last few tests. When he called he did not mention that just the platelet count. He is going to send me a copy to take to my hemotologist for my next visit in June. Last summer I had pupura and edema in my legs. Up to that point, no symptoms at all. After that episode all was fine until I broke my wrist. Hemotologist has mentioned Bone Marrow Aspiration, which I really don't want to have done. I have been a little nervous about all this but after this latest reading I am beginning to freak out. Don't know if I should call hemotologist and schedule appointment before June 26 or wait and see what WBC is when I get my lastest copies. I have been feeling good, a little bruising, and a little tired once in awhile but not long lasting. I just wish I could feel like I did before I found all this out. GP thinks I have had all this for a long time. Any suggestions?

I have low WBC also. Hemo doesn't seem concerned tho'
About the Bone Marrow aspiration. I had one thirty years ago when they first diagnosed ITP. My present hemo suggested another one and it was totally different, I told hime the second one was closure on a thrty year nightmare - things have changed tremendously and it is not anything to be feared it can eliminate other factors. Others may have a different take on it tho'. Take Care and lots of platelets, Christine

Your WBC count is pretty low but it's the neutrophils in particular that are important. The others, mainly the lymphocytes are often low it seems in ITP people and it doesn't much matter. However if the neutrophils are low, and that seems likely, then you may have Evans Syndrome which just means you have antibodies against the platelets and the neutrophils. But they will want to look at the bone marrow to see if all the cells, whites and reds look right in the marrow. They will want to rule out MDS, myelodysplasia which means the cells aren't being made as the marrow is failing. That's a sensible thing for them to do.

Bone marrow biopsies aren't as bad as you think they are going to be. It's one of those things where the fear of it is far worse than the actuality.

First suggestion - stay calm. Your platelet counts, while low, are still in a safe range. Feeling good is a great thing and you can be happy about that. You might never get to treatment level, and counts can go up at any time. If they do drop, you'll deal with it and be just fine.

As for the whites, just wait and see what they have to say about that. It may not be anything to worry about.

As for the bone marrow biopsy, I agree, it's not as bad as it sounds.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have decided to go ahead with the Bone Marrow Biopsy for my own peace of mind and it will make it easier for my hemo also. He will be happy to hear this. It's just a scary thought. I was freaking out over surgery on my wrist and then this on top of it. I realize that I have alot to be thankful for and wish better health for all.

My mom had Bone Marrow Biopsy a month ago. It was not too bad. She asked for the second dose to numb the area when they were trying to take a small amount of bone.

Are you going to have Bone Marrow Aspiration or Biopsy? (your first post says Bone Marrow Aspiration). I believe Bone Marrow Aspiration removed only the marrow.

They'll do both no doubt, the biopsy and the aspiration.

I am not sure at this point which one it was. I kind of freaked out when he was talking about it. Last time I went he told me I was dragging my feet and I know that I am. He kind of went into detail and all I heard was needle and they could give me something to calm my nerves before hand. I will be the first to admit that I am scared of any kind of medical procedure out of the ordinary. I was a basket case when I had to get the plate and screws in my wrist. I was so worked up by the time of my surgery it wasn't funny. Thanks for all of your input. Just hope I keep it all together. My appointment with hemo is not until June 26 and then the procedure will be scheduled. One day at a time.

Due to the numbing shots, it really isn't all that painful. The worst part was having a sore rear end for a few days.

I had a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration done yesterday. I too was a little freaked out from all the stories but it really wasn't that bad.

I hope it all works out, wishing you perfect health.

Kind regards,
Barry