itp & construction work

I found this site while looking up info about ITP and pregnancy. I'm 27 yrs old and thinking about trying to have kids soon but I wasn't sure if it would be dangerous because of my ITP. The site answered all my questions and I was pleasantly surprised to find out it's not nearly as dangerous or complicated as I had originally assumed. However, that's not why I decided to post something today. I'm posting because after reading several different threads I'm so relieved I want to cry. I was dx about a year ago. At the time I was working as a carpenter for a company that builds bridges. Since then I've had several ups and downs with my counts. Along with the bruising, nosebleeds, dizziness, ect I also experience severe fatigue. My doctor told me that "fatigue isn't considered a symptom of ITP." After being told this I assumed it must be all in my head and ignored it as much as possible. Unfortunately construction is an extremely physically demanding job and my work suffered. I would call out because I was to tired to get off the couch let alone go swing a hammer for 10 hours a day (my company worked four 10 hour shifts instead of the typical five 8's). Needless to say my call outs were tolerated for awhile but eventually they got sick of it and fired me. This whole time I didn't understand what was wrong with me and had convinced myself that I was a jerk who lost a GREAT job that I LOVED for no good reason, for something I had convinced myself was only in my head but I still couldn't seem to get past. It is so nice to hear other people with ITP talk about fatigue as a symptom. I've found ITP can be difficult to explain to others, aside from the bruising which I get mainly on my legs there's not many outward signs that people can look at and realize how bad your feeling on the inside. I've been meet with speculation as whether there was really anything wrong with me. One person at work even went so far as to tell me everyone bruises it's not big deal. I guess what I'm really trying to get across is, I'm really glad you guys are here and I feel alot better finding out it's not all in my head

Hi Evelynn,
I know how you feel. I have had extreme exhaustion/fatigue and dizziness since before I was diagnosed, and some people didn't believe me. Some people at work have said "everyone's tired, get some coffee." I knew it was related to the ITP, even though I couldn't find proof of it. If I didn't talk about my ITP so much to anyone that would listen, nobody would think anything was wrong with me. If your fatigue is still bad, you might want to consider trying homeopathy. I just reached normal platelet counts with it, and my fatigue went away relatively fast after starting treatment. Hopefully you can get your energy back and get back that job you love!
Jenny

Welcome! Sorry to hear that you lost your job!! They obviously do not understand ITP!! Yes everyone bruises but bruising for those of us with ITP, is a little more than just a bruise. It is usually a sign that our Platelets are low. What are your counts? Fatigue is definatly a symptom for me. 10 hr shifts in const. can definatly take it's toll on your energy, especially with ITP. You may want to check your Iron level. I feel quite fatigued when my Iron level is low. When I am consistant with taking the Iron supplement along with vitiman C, (to help the Iron absorb)I feel pretty good. Other things I have had checked; B-12, Thyroid function, Iron, Vitiman D. Platelets also carry Seritonin, which is a mood regulator in our bodies. Yeah, caffine is not a fix for fatigue due to ITP. You have found a Great group of people here that understand what you are going through.

Last time I was checked I was at 130, so I was ok. Thanks for the stuff about serotonin it was very informative for me. I've been struggling with depression for a few months now and had no idea that it could be attributed to my platelet count and/or the steroids. I would talk to my doc about prescribing an antidepressant, unfortunately when I lost my job I also lost my health insurance. I looked into continuing it through cobra but couldn't afford the premiums. I'm very VERY lucky, my hemo is the nicest doctor ever. When I told him I wasn't going to be able to come see him again until after I found another job and could get insurance again, he told me he would treat me no charge for as long as I needed. I don't want to take advantage of his generosity so I'll wait until my next scheduled appointment to ask about being prescribed an antidepressant. Besides, I doubt I'll be able to afford to fill the script anyways.
I noticed alot of other people were discussing paranoia. I have a tough time with this myself and maybe someone could give me some advise. Before I lost my job I was very cautious, mainly because on a constructions site you never know when or if you'll be injured. My hemp explained to me that if my levels were low enough, something as simple as being bumped in the stomach with a 2x4 could cause internal bleeding and possibly death. Obviously this scared me! Before if I was concerned about my levels, I would just go in and get checked. It's hard to say exactly, but I'd guess that about 25% of the time I was wrong. It would be a false alarm or I would be gradually decreasing, just not low enough to treat quite yet. There was another instance when I thought I was ok, that is, until I had an accident at work. I took off the tip of my finger while chipping concrete. The make a long story short, the doctors had a VERY difficult time stopping the bleeding.
My question is this... Recently I've been getting dizzy alot. Also I have psoriasis, which is another auto-immune disorder (but skin instead of blood). Recently my psoriasis has been getting alot worse. Next I had a "period" but it was weird. Instead of being brown and clotted it was bright red and very VERY thin, at least, for the first few days. Gradually it changed to a more normal brown clotted consistency. However, I had it for 15 days, during that time I would consider the flow average, not too heavy. Towards the end of the second week I caught a nasty cold from my fiance. Within a day or two my "period" stopped. I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid or if I should go in and be checked. I may be completely wrong, but I was wondering if maybe the reason it stopped could be because my immune system was focusing on the virus. :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: Maybe it switched from attacking my platelets to attacking the virus instead? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the most important part! All this, shall we say, "Circumstantial" evidence BUT no bruises! However I do have a precedent for being low and not bruising. The time I took the tip of my finger off I didn't have any bruising either. So what do you guys think? Keep in mind if I go, my hemo will be doing me a HUGE favor and seeing me for free. Do I go get checked or should I wait and see. Thanks in advance for any and all advice I really appreciate it. I'm pretty sure that unless you guys think I should go sooner, I'm just going to wait until I have more concrete symptoms like bruises and/or nosebleeds or my next appointment, whichever comes first. (FYI - I'm not due back for about a month.)

Thanks again. I can't even begin to describe how nice it is to talk to people who truly understand...

That is one Fantastic Dr.!!!!! I was also paranoid when one of the Dr's I seen said, "I should wrap myself in bubble wrap" as I was around 8k. He stressed internal bleeding was the biggest issue. If I was in an accident, I could bleed to death rather quickly. That scared me!!! I like to do woodworking and fix things so my fear was cutting myself or something. Falling down the stairs also scared me at the time. I was amazed at how a little antidepression pill brought me back!! Some people can snap out of depression if it is not to bad and other need treatment. I tried to snap out of it but the depression had it's grip on me. If you are not experiencing any of the ITP symptoms you mentioned, you could just wait and see until your next app. Sorry I cannot be of any help with the Female issues.
Thank You for sharing.
Keep in touch.

yeah i've been circling the antidepressant idea for a couple weeks now. I'm trying to hold off until spring so i'll be working again and have insurance. I live in Connecticut so it's tough to find a construction job during the winter. Alot of places shut down. I've been finding that exercise helps with my energy levels and mood but that's a catch 22, first i have to have enough energy to get up and do it. Of course I also tend to end up covered in bruises after but i've always bruised easy even before the itp.

I was prescribed Celexa, a milder antidepressant. Winter here in MN has been quite mild and only a few inches of snow. I think const. has kept going all winter. I hope you find work again.