Worried

I don't know who else to ask so here goes.

The situation: I have no insurance right now. Was diagnosed with ITP in January. I haven't had treatment yet because counts have not been less than 40. But I'm really worried right now. I'm bruising really easily and one of my bruises is really really dark, and it's one of those ones that I have no idea how it happend. But what has me really freaked out is this rash. I wasn't sure if it was bites at first... but my husband hasn't been bitten once. I get a new one every day it seems. They are red and round. A couple of them, on my legs are really creepy looking because I can see the blood vessels underneath. I didn't want to post any pictures and scare anyone but does this sound familiar at all? My husband thinks it might be psychosomatic. Or allergies, but I've never been allergic to anything.

I feel so alone, I can't see a doctor

Many (most) hospitals in the USA have assistance programs for people without insurance. I'd suggest checking into that, rather than going without treatment. Although, 40k is not too bad. A lot of us have been living fine on less, even with treatment.
Most cities have various free or pro-rated clinics as well. Been there and done that myself many years ago when I was self-employed.
Many drug companies have assistance programs. I know GlaxoKlineSmith does for Promacta. I believe the makers of Nplate do also.
ITP treatment with Prednisone is fairly inexpensive. It's not all that pleasant, but it is inexpensive. Same with Dexamthasone.
Don't go without treatment if you don't have to.

Yeah I would never treat at 40k. I'm just saying I was offered treatment then but declined. Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will keep them in mind in case things get worse. I have the tendency to over worry. Maybe the rashes are so red and purple because of the ITP. Maybe they wouldn't look so bad if someone without ITP had them.

I applied for health insurance at work, but they have this preexisting condition that says they might not cover any preexisting condition for 365 days. Well.... how helpful.

I've applied for another insurance which is more expensive, but I think will cover more. However I may be denied or the premiums may cost too much. My insurance agent guy said if I get denied he will help me apply for state supplied insurance. I guess it's insurance Colorado does if you are denied coverage from other people.

without wishing to worry you and knowing that everyone is different I know when I see the rash my platelets are low enough to seek help - and be treated. Usually around 5. I am English so don't have the insurance question or knowledge.

You are not freaking out and I would strongly urge you to be tested anyways. I don't know how it works in america at all but it might be cheaper for you to seek help now before its critical and therefore stopping it being critical?

certainly for me the day I see the rash is the day I ring and go through. Please get yourself checked out and if it turns out to be over 30 then probably okay but you would have to take precautions in your own life. Please get yourself tested. Ring up NOW. In England I can ring up now and go through and be tested to check if the symptoms suggest they are low. And get the necessary treatment.

From someone who has been in your situtaion I understand. I had no insurance was just hired from a temp job to a company and was barely making ends meat after being out of work for 6 months. I started to poop blood and then throw it up to the point where I was in so much pain I had to go to the doctor. I live in Ca and ended up at a county hospital. I waited 12 hrs to get into the treatment room--once in the room (with about 15 other beds) I got the help I needed, IV hydration, ct scans, blood work, xrays, anything to try to figure out why I was bleeding. This was 2 months before being dx with ITP. Needless to say I was dx with cholitis and given steriods to take down the inflamation. About a month later I recieved a rather large bill, I went into the billing office explained my situtaion and the girls asked how much I made, what ins I had and my monthly bills, there was no way I could pay a 82000 bill. So I was given emergency medical. After paying 80 dollars the rest of the balance was written off. Is there a county urgent care or ER you can go to? A low cost clinic? somewhere they can run a CBC just to get ur counts checked for your peace of mind? How about your hemas office. I know a CBC is only about 20 bucks and you dont have to see a dr just get them ran and get your numbers. It may be something worth looking into.

Lorna - I'm not sure that sounds like petechiae. Petechiae are very tiny and although they do come in groups, you'd be able to tell that they are separate 'dots'. Are yours raised at all? Petechiae look like a dark red dot in a pore.

DO you have any of those Med-Care places around? You might be able to get an inexpensive CBC at one of those places.

I will check in with local clinics. Also I wonder if my Hema I saw before can order a cbc without seeing me.

Sandi, I know it's not petchia, though I do have some small red dots that do look like that. These are about dime size in diameter and dark red to blue. They are round, which made me think they were bites, but nothing has bitten my husband and I've never seen a bite that looks anything like this. It's very creepy looking. I had three on my neck, one on each arm, and one on my ankle and one on my leg. I haven't developed any new ones in a couple of days, and some of the older ones are fading. (Thank goodness, since I'm a waitress and the ones on my neck embarrassed me)

He should definitely be able to order a CBC without seeing you. Mine wouldn't see me unless I had a low result and I wouldn't want to go in unless I did anyway.