ITP and Stress

My mom signed me in, but I am a 20 year old that was diagnosed with ITP at the end of October. My counts were down to 5 and I was put on prednisone. The doctor is lowering the dose now because it doesn't seem to be working as it was in the beginning, and I have gotten one treatment of rituxan. I am scheduled for three more. I have pretty much put my life on hold. I went from a full load at college and a 4 day work week, to no college and I try to manage one day a week at work (waitressing). I am so tired and achy every day. Every time I go to work, I pick up some new virus that knocks me back down. I am very emotional, very frustrated and easily stressed. I am just so tired of this and have not found a way to actually live a regular life with this...Is there anyone who feels this way? It seems like most people just go on with their lives as they were. Before this happened I had such a busy life and now I can't do anything!

Many of your symptoms could possibly be from the prednisone rather than the ITP - especially since you are tapering off right now. The fatigue, and emotions, and achiness could all be prednisone related. Hang in there! What is your dosage?
Erica

Right now my dosage is 20 mg of prednisone per day. Starting tomorrow, it'll be 10 mg per day until further notice. I started out taking 70 mg in the hospital and have been weening off since then (October).

Skel:

A Prednisone taper can be an awful experience and can cause all of the things you described. It helps to remind yourself that you're not sick, it's just the drug side effects. It can be very hard to push through it, but it's temporary. It will get better after you are off of the drug completely.

How are your counts now?

Hello Most of your symptoms didn't start until the taper? Quite a few of us suffer from fatigue. Though most doctors don't recognize it as a symptom yet! And stress can creep it's way into your life when your not looking! I also am a waitress, though we refer to ourselves as servers I do find it hard to make it through some days, especially the 6+ hour days. Not sitting down AT ALL for more than 4 hours at a time is terrible!