To treat or not to treat...

I don't know whether to be concerned or not. I've had a low count these past few weeks, 27k, then 26, and now 10k. I'm taking 20 mg of Pred, my usual dosis is 10, but my Hema told me to double it just to be able to get over 30k, which hasn't happened. I just called him and he told me to up the Pred to 40mg. If I had called my Internist, he would have told me to go to the hospital. I usually respond very well and fast to steroids and I just had bronchitics, which I know could be the responsible for my count drop.

we cannot tell you what to do on here but my own opinion worth, I think if I were you I would call the internest (you refer to) and go into hospital. You are unsure by the sounds of it and if you know the bronchitis caused the platelet drop, rather than keep upping the prednisolone over the phone, why not go in and get it sorted once and for all. You may be in four days? and yet if you don't ring you could still be wondering what to do and don't like the amount of prednisolone you are taking

go on give that internalist you call, a ring and put your mind at peace. and by this time next week you be feeling much happier.... xxhugsxx

I would think you need one doctor to be talking to - hematologist or MD. And if you are concerned you need to let that doctor know. Just my opinion.

Jey:

I have done exactly what you are doing. In my opinion, the hematologist is more experienced with ITP. How are your symptoms? If you feel that is under control, upping the dose seems a reasonable suggestion. Lacking serious symptoms, there isn't usually a need to be hospitalized.

In my ten-plus years of experience with prednisone, I have kept a log with my dose and my platelet numbers. Although, like you, I usually respond quickly to increased prednisone, sometimes it takes a couple of weeks. Just when I think I have everything figured out, my body surprises me! That said, my platelets have always eventually gone back up to safe levels (my hema thinks 25K is safe), and it has never occurred to me to go to the hospital, nor to him to send me. If my symptoms were scary, that might be different.

how thoughtful to keep a log of prednisolone and platelet count. Years go my sister thought I should keep a diary and write down every single thing I did all time to see if I was doing anything. I wasn't keen on the idea. My consultant only asked me about new things I done that week and inevitably whilst over 16 years I obviously have done new things etc.. I could never detect anything obvious until this last summer when had scampi at home. though had it out very occaisional.... mercury can affect.

I hope you got some support by the way

Thank you for all your input. I believe my uneasiness was more due to my husband worried face. :blush:

Sandi,

I do trust my Hema. He's the third one I've had and I think I'll stick with him. Thankfully, I have no bleeding whatsoever. This morning I even brushed my teeth without paying any attention to my count. Just to show how this disease is, when my count was around 30 I was covered in bruises. Right now I don't think I even have petechiae. Same thing happened last year when I my count was at 2k.

I hope your counts go up soon. When is your next count?