Accidents and injury

Hi Everyone! I hope that everyone is doing well. So I was lurking today and was reading the post about medical jewelry and it got me thinking about accidents and injury. I know the first thing that we all figure out is that we really don't live by the numbers, we all have symptoms at different numbers and some have bleeding issues at higher counts that a large number of us can only wish to get to and some have zero symptoms at 20K or less. In the past year I really haven't had more than bruises, any cut I've had has been very minor and am wondering should I be wearing a medic alert bracelet or something and what are the risks of a serious injury? Internal bleeding I know, but what about a serious cut? All my little ones have stopped, some a little slow sometimes, but they stopped. I guess what I'm asking is this an exception to the numbers rule and if so at what point do you stop worrying about what might happen in an accident?

Thanks,
Andra, last count 57K

Ultimately, it's a choice that we all have to find our own peace with. I personally wear a medical alert bracelet but I also have other medical conditions. Honestly, I have a greater fear of some well meaning emergency doctor giving me large doses of predisone while I'm unconsious than bleeding. I want them to confer with my hemo before they start freaking out that I have low platelets so I use the medical alert with the 800 number for a small annual fee and the ability for me to update my info on the web. I had a jeweler add jump rings and I switch out with leather, chain or bead bracelets. N-StyleID.com is one of my favorites to purchase just the bracelets from (if you add them as facebook fan you get notices of special sales and contests).

I've been told by more than one doctor that they can do emergency surgery at 50K. My ITP was ultimately diagnosed because mine were 79 and I was on the table for surgery after having a heparin shot when they paid attention to the labs. I did have some colorful brusing, but came through fine, even treated the pain with ibuprofen after the 3 days in the hospital. It was almost a year later when I got the diagnosis and learned all the do's and don'ts.

After 17 years with ITP, I find that worrying about what can happen is borrowing anxiety that I don't need. Note the signature line: Worry is a misuse of the imagination — Dan Zadra. Admittly the first 15 years I stayed at the 50K range, and in the last 18 months have dropped into the more risky range and I'm more aware of making sure that my family knows my plans when I'm low, but otherwise, if the good lord calls me home tomorrow, I want to have enjoyed today to the fullest.

I love your spirit Bunnie! I've only been diagnosed for 16 weeks but after 17 years of ITP. Your words inspire me. Some days i just feel like I dont know who i'm going to make it through. Had 0k this weekend, on Dex pulse, But i'm gonna try to keep singing a song

After 17 years with ITP, I find that worrying about what can happen is borrowing anxiety that I don't need.

That is probably the best sentence I have read here since joining the forum.
Yes, everyone is different and ITP affects us all differently (physically, mentally, emotionally), but ofttimes we heap necessary stress upon ourselves.
I've never known a count above the 90's. In the past 7 years; I have been ecstatic when I stay above 30k, I've had surgery at 25k, and I've had sub-5k counts so often and for so long that it ceased to have any scary effect. And you know what? No amount of worrying, fretting, or anxiety has made any IMPROVEMENT in my "count" or in my life. If anything, I think fretting constantly makes things worse.
After awhile, I found that "living for the count" was not helping me or anyone around me. I'll go when I go, we all do sometime....Meanwhile, I have a life to get on with.
Luckily, I have a Hematologist (at The James Cancer Hospital) with a similar attitude.
To quote John Carter, "I LIVE!" :silly: (Edger Rice Burroughs' "Barsooom" book series)
BTW: My last check (a few weeks ago) was 52k, after 3 months of 75mg/daily Promacta treatment. Works fine for me.

Wow! All those replies just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Very inspiring and encouraging!!! How very very true.. we are in the Lords hands.. no point in worrying.. it only makes things worse.

GREAT advice, guys!

Thanks for all the advise. Over the past year I've come along way with dealing with the stress and worry that comes along with ITP. I actually have days now that I don't think about it much at all and even 6 months ago I thought that would never happen, LOL! I check the board regularly to stay informed on any new information, and due to insurance reasons I am only seeing my hemo as I feel is needed and have the occational questions that are easier to ask here (cheaper too). I did have a count done a few weeks ago because I need to go to the dentist and wanted to make sure I was ok to go. However we have been doing a lot of traveling by car this past year (we have a 19 year old son in the Navy and have been visiting) and are getting ready to go on vacation and all that time in the spent in the car had me thinking about what maybe I should be concerned about that maybe I'm not. Still seeing my rheumy for connective tissue disorder but not sure what I think about him, but that's a whole different post. I think I may go with a bracelet or something, if just for when we're traveling. So many medical professionals have no clue about ITP so if for no other reason than that it maybe a good idea. I have a card in my wallet with all my info on it and make my husband keep one to so that if he has to relay info it's all right there for him. So thanks again!
Andra