joint pain with low platelet count?

I have had joint pain in the last couple of weeks -- usually after standing for a longer period of time, my legs were getting really sore. Then I had a CBC done and found out my PLT was below 10k.

I was given IVIG treatment afterwords and my counts have slowly climbed up. I start to notice that the joint pain is getting a lot better now.

Anyone has had the same experience with joint pain related to low platelet counts？Or was it just an coincidence?

Thanks.

May be just a coinsidence from long periods of standing. That happens to me often as I am on my feet alot. I have found a pair of shoes that just might be the best pair ever. They are called Shape ups. My feet/legs feel alot better with these.

I get leg aches too when platelets are low and from what I have read on here over the year its quite normal.

Had FBC on monday and revealed count was 32. I certainly have been achy stiff and tired this last week and been putting down to pollen or something. At times it felt like the stage before the sore throat. The 32 would kind of account for it all from what I see on here

Usually I have the IVIG but this consultant is not giving that as thinks am prednisolone responsive. 32 is okay he says. I think it only that high due to that still on the things. Though down to 5mg for two week then alternate days two week. I actually think that when I stop the pred they will come down under 10 in time. Wonder how long he will keep saying prednisolone responsive. If he reads my notes properly the IVIG keeps them up longer. Don't know why he is doing it this way but I know am 'safe enough'.

But the aches and pains are normal for those who get them when platelets are low. Like you, I stood for a time in a stage rehearsal for concert next week. I been more stiff and achey today so whether connected or not. I just think it all part of the parcel. Apart from plenty of water and paracetamol not sure what to do about it though

Absolutely! I had terrible pain in my legs and arms, when my counts were low. Good Luck!

I'm new to the site,but not new to ITP. I've had it since 1998. As far as aches and pains in joints, that always how I know my count is 15 or below. Right now I'm at 11 and believe me my arms and legs ache. So for myself I say yes to pain in joints. Christina

Yes! New to the forum and first post. I was diagnosed with ITP only last Sept. (age 73) In fact, excruciating back and leg pain was what sent me to my local Dr. in the first place. He noticed petechiae on my legs, ran a CBC and sent me directly to a hematologist who sent me directly to the hospital...count was 1. Stayed 4 days, bone marrow biopsy, platelet infusion, steroids, etc. and have been seeing Dr. every Thurs. since. Splenectomy in April didn't work.

Current Dr. is amazed that I can fairly accurately predict my platelet count good or bad. One indication of low count is severe leg pain...to the point that I can hardly walk and must use a cane. Have been on NPlate for several months and count has been all over the chart. Thurs. three weeks ago my count was 1098K (not a typo), skipped the NPlate shot, leg pain started Monday and got worse daily until last Thurs, count was 5K. Got NPlate shot and leg pain was almost gone by Fri PM.

Hi ArkieVol
Sorry you are getting aches and pains but I am impressed that you can accurately guess your count good or bad. I have been diagnosed with ITP since 1994 (aged 25) and now aged (43) and it is the one thing that I am always unable to do. All I know is when its below ten because I get the petechi though this year didn't even get that really. In May I had one give away 'big' spot and a few bruising and my count was 8. People on here count their number of bruises but that don't work for me. In December only had one self inflicted bruise when I bumped into the coffee table. That was bigand had half a dozen spots in all - the day I was admitted. So much so that one doc was quite rude towards me. Not rude as in swearing but made it clear to me what on earth was I doing there this aint ITP and it only because I knew my signs I remained passively docile towards him and was able to be very smug when the test results came back as 7 I think that day. It was boxing day so understand him and it only because I know my signs rather than signs in general but I only know when they are under 10. That doc did apologise and the following time I wasn't even examined though had the blood test. So they do know when they perhaps get too close to the fine line. The other doc with him had already agreed it ITP - mainly looking from my notes I suspect etc but he was the friendly guy and praised me for going in - unlike the other doc who became friendlier toward me once it was proved.

But am waffling and yes - you do very well to be able to state your count even when good. I only know when it below 10. I am suspicious but whenever I have gone through they are high when just suspicious. So now I leave it to certainties. My aches seem to happen when they are dropping from 10 down to 3.... But they are there

Besides which, I know I can be a little bit sneery at times but in reality, whatever symptom you are experiencing, it is genuine for you. When our bodies are under stress coping with one thing other departments of it can be affected. Just because it may not be a regular named symptom of ITP don't make it that it aint a symptom/side effect. No one can tell you, you are wrong for what you feel. It is simply how you feel and what you experience.

But yes, people on here have experienced aches and pains as well as me and I know I am going to be taken in that couple of days I guess by my aches and pains as my hip aches when standing etc. I assume it related to arthritis etc as it in those kind of movements. Yes I do get strong intuition sometimes that I know am going to be going in that week. Nothing to put my finger on it in the betting shop etc. But just know. I was on a residential course last time and when packing to come home at the end of the first week I had a strong smell of hospital ward. It meant I pulled my finger out and did my homework in time for the following week for I listend to my sense for once. But the only thing I get as far as doing is saying my count is below 10 I think....

Am impressed:)

About a year ago, I posted my personal experience with this:

older note

Shorter summary: I was having bleeding in my joints. Hope this provides some useful info.

interesting. I've never had joint pain from low numbers. I've had it from treatments but not just low numbers, and I stand on my feet for anywhere from 4 to 8 hours a day. I'm a waitress!

HI Server

you took the wind out of my sails there and foiled me because had you down as male until the last post where you say you're a waitress. Oops. is that is why your name tag says - server?:silly:

lol, my little icon thingy says I'm a girl! And, no that's not how I got my nic name. I chose it because I serve God and others.

Some of us get joint pain when our platelets go up and our prednisone dosage goes down. The pred reduces inflammation, so I have much less joint pain when I'm taking 10 mg/day or more.

For me, joint pain with both steroids and IVIG, but without them (i.e., just from ITP) no, even at low counts. The join pain from steroids seems to hang on a for a while even after you stop taking it, with IVIG it goes away much more quickly.

Rhiannon wrote: HI Server

you took the wind out of my sails there and foiled me because had you down as male until the last post where you say you're a waitress. Oops. is that is why your name tag says - server?:silly:

"Serviette" would serve the purpose...

I thought the name "Gretchen" was pretty descriptive of gender.

Touche - Sandi :-}
just shows how much I don't read of the whole post.....

though being an altar server myself yes i too serve God and others or at least try to :-}

Last time my count was 5 about a month ago I asked a heamo doctor about stiff neck that I got. (I had a stiff neck pre septicemia and one of the pains I don't like these days) All that side of my body ached. Though it usually really only my lower legs and hips. That day as I say basically all my left hand side. I didn't mention the rest because of my platelets being 5 and her reply about the pillows. Remembering this is a specialist heamo doc rather than some GP.

And you know what I got told. It be my pillows that are causing it. how many pillows do I use. I use three. Don't use them at all and because my face fell or certainly felt like it did... she suggested cutting one down at a time.

It had absolutely nothing to do with pillows - and all to do with low platelet count as had other aches. I did do as she suggested for one week in case she asked the following week. And could hand on heart say I had cut one down.

The other aches I get are when I am on prednisolone across the shoulder blades top of the neck really ache. The old meningitis aches am guessing or the septicemia ones. Not that I remember any aches specfically though I did 'fit' in A&E with the meningtis.

They know how to treat ITP but they don't know all the symptoms though some heamo's know about the what one called ITP-throat. That hasn't gone away yet....

A little theory of mine

When we ache with ITP, is it in the places that we will have arthritis when we get older? - though I do know arthritis isn't an ageing issue but you know what I mean.

I feel pretty strong 'in myself' that those places is where I will end up having arthritis....

With me being a Traditionalist Catholic you'll probably be aware of my view on female altar servers lol but that's another story

You will do well with the majority of our church. We are Anglo Catholic and some like to think themselves as Roman Catholic even though we are definately church of England of which am happy to claim I am and happily say c of e without any offence to the Roman Catholics but am aware of the subtle differences between 'us' and appreciate the freedom though I know you see it as freedom too. The trouble with Anglican Catholics that seem to pick and mix about what they choose to do where as I am happily C of E and see some of it as too much ritual rather than prayerfully.... C of E allows me to understand what prayer really is rather than given a set series of prayers and still miss what the words mean.... No offence by the way. Because there will be many RC who are able to understand what they are praying when doing set prayers and I do know its from the heart just the same... Though saying that about rituals I do like Acolytes, thrurifer etc present at services because they do add to the setting and miss them whenever at a low church that don't. So am not very low and neither am I very high in my personal prayer and spirtual life with God

So am more aware of the argument of female priests/bishops right down to the humble altar server etc but I personally think that God isn't really interested in our genders. To him it is more important what is in our heart. What we say and do and think of each other that what gender we happen to be. But that is my personal opinion and yep it will clash with the ardent catholic.... I was one of three who fought for female servers and won our battle in 1988. I remember in that was the year I went to American Boy Scout Camp and came back to be told we could serve.... I haven't served all this time because when it came to - I didn't like it that much at the time - typical.

But this time last year the interregnum vicar asked my dad to serve... cough cough. My dad is very low church in Wales (as a lad) and St Pauls where we live now just happens to be far too high for him but go because its our parish church. I made the mistake of joining in and seeing he wasn't going to get my dad to serve, he fastened on me of which I was quite willing to. I survived a whole year and 'enjoy' it with the present team. Although I was 20 and been going to church some time back in 1988 i was young and missed the singing. Now am 43 I am old enough to sing anyway at the hymns on the altar and bolder all round and that tiresome adult who remembers odd bits when I done it before and must confuse the current 20 year old who is kind of the lead server but doesn't really want to be. I think he finds it hard that three of us older ones are adults me being the youngest (43) and the two younger ones are his brothers. We don't have many practices. We learn by doing it. Two weeks ago I was the only server present at the sunday service and luckily I had a few goes in Lent mid week masses but we got a new vicar now (end of July) and I made it quite clear I only been serving a year and we don't do each others jobs as such. We did well actually....

Yep, am more than aware since a few of my church friends in their 70's are like you about females on the altar etc. For years I battled with the female priest etc but reached the conclusion as I say about for me I think God is interested in what 'we' say do and think rather than 'our' gender. And that some perceptions are to be challenged?