To try Promacta or spleen surgery

It is now 4 months after I am diagnosed with ITP.Presently my count is 5000.I have tried predinosone and Dapsone.Both of them didn't work.My doctor has asked me try Promacta or have spleen removal.I am confused as Promacta is taken if Spleen removal doesnt work.So should i try Promacta first?Again please tell me if there are any other options which I can try before having spleen surgery

It seems to be becoming more normal these days to try Promacta or Nplate (or any of the many other treatments like Rituxen, Cyclosporin, Cellcept, etc) before going the irreversible route of a splenectomy.
I started taking Promacta to avoid having my spleen yanked....my spleen and I are happy that I did.
'A spleen is a terrible thing to waste'.........

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Thanks for your advice.I will try promacta.

Hi,

I had my spleen out in 2005 after fighting with ITP and the thought of loosing my spleen for 10 years. I was in remission for over 3 years after my spleen was removed..I came out of remission and my count was 1K. Did the normal IVIG, prednisone, decadrone shot, refused Rituxan after doing some research on it..then the doctor suggested Promacta cares program. I took 8 doses of promacta my count shot up over 1 mill. the doctor quickly took me off of it and I have been drug free for over 2 years..and my count as of last week was 468K. I take an aspirin a day..I had a stroke a few months after my spleen was removed..due to the rush of platelets (so I thought) now I eat right and count my blessings. Best wishes to you and what ever you decide. Oh and I had weekly blood test to check my liver..during treatment with Promacta..pretty important back then..don't know if they have changed that over the years.