My platelets are up??

I'm getting so confused with this ITP stuff. My platelets have been low for a while, unresponsive to the 'first line' treatments (as my doctor says, not entirely certain I know what that means). Insurance threw a fit with Rituxan, so after fighting the good fight, I was giving in to a splenectomy.

Now suddenly for no reason, my counts have jumped up to 68! I'm excited, but not sure if its too good to believe. I've postponed surgery temporarily. I'm still new to this whole thing. For those who have had this for a while, is this just temporary? Should I continue on with the surgery?

What I don't understand is my counts have more than doubled, and yet none of my symptoms have gotten better. I still have more bruises than I can count, my mouth still bleeds every morning, and I just had another nosebleed yesterday. Everyone always says 'treat the symptoms, not the numbers.' If I go off of this advice, shouldn't I continue with the surgery?

Help!!

Nicki

Nicki:

There is no reason to rush. You can always change your mind and have the surgery, but you can't take it back once it's done.

No one can tell you if this is a temporary rise or not, only time will tell. It might take a while for your symptoms to go away if your counts just went up recently. What's the harm in waiting another week or two to see what happens? What do you want to do?

Congratulations Nicki! I'm happy for you! May I give you my personal opinion?
Wait! Getting your spleen out is such a final kinda thing. Know what I mean? In the end it is only your decision, but why not ride it for awhile and see what happens.

I think I agree with both of you. I've put the surgery on hold. I'm trying so hard not to get my hopes up, but I can't help thinking how great it would be if my counts stayed up like this!

I guess its back to 'hurry up and wait'.

Think positive! My fingers are crossed

Oh Nicki....the dreaded old "hurry up and wait" syndrome. I hate it too! But that's been my mind state for almost 6 months now. It's getting old! There has got to be a better way. I can't wait till I figure it out! I'll share if I do.....will you?

What are you waiting for? If your counts are up today, be happy today. If they go down next week, feel sad next week.

If you're waiting for a guarantee for normal counts for the rest of your life, you won't get that. I know it's nice to have normal counts for a long period of time, but some people still feel uneasy with that and keep expecting the counts to drop. You have to take things one day at a time with this, and try not to wait for....what? You'll get there...

I would give the Rituxan more time. My first treatment took awhile. Prior to the second round I had to see a different Oncologist due to mine being on vacation. The first thing he said is, when are we going to schedule a Spleenectomy :ohmy: . I told him that is not the route I want to go right now or ever. Spleenectomy is permenant with no guarantees. Give it some time.
Take Care.
Dean