Post Splenectomy

Hi everyone!

It has almost been one year since my splenectomy and I'm happy to report all is well so far! Well, there are a few things on my mind still.

1) Has anyone experienced having too many platelets after a splenectomy. I'm reaching the high 500,000's and may have to go on an anti-platelet drug. Has anyone had this experience and can help a sister out? First I have no platelets, and now I have too many..

2) When I lay on my left side for too long I get sharp shooting pains where I suppose my spleen used to be. They make me literally jump up becuase they're so sharp. Is this something I should go and see my doctor about or is it just my body still adjusting?

3) Has anyone re-grown their spleen after splenectomy and what happend? This is a huge fear of mine and I'm just wondering if it has happend to anyone here?

Thank you so much for any help you can provide

Jen,
Thunder Bay ON

Hi Jen, I am oddly just over a year with the same questions so sadly not much help to you but at least you know your not alone! My platelets have been between 400-high 600s pretty consistently since splenectomy and I also very occasionally have sharp stabbing pains like that! My drs don't seem concerned about the high platlets however and say "people like you don't have the same clotting problems as with thrombicytosis" so I think they mean splenectomy pt's and not "people like me" in a bad way! LOL!

I did develop other autoimmune problems in the past year since splenectomy (autoimmune liver conditions) so some things in my case may be different/confused...The meds I am on for that may contribute to higher platelets etc..

Anyways...like I said, can't answer the questions but wanted to let you know I am the same!

Just so you are aware; people with ITP can be prone to blood clots at any count. There are several reasons (3 listed below).

www.bloodjournal.org/content/98/6/1760?variant=full-text&sso-checked=1

www.bloodjournal.org/content/121/23/4782.abstract?ct&ct=edc0078f0223706ceb6453e28c53f19cb50ae40e71d3b442acf9a40c28f72c3622599d8d53bf161970897c9b7de283abb0295054cc9f469454f243cd2b2bc543

Researchers in Spain measured and tested the clotting potential of microparticles (very small bits cells) in the blood of people with ITP and found that the microparticles in these patients were more prone to form blood clots than the microparticles in the control population. This was also true of those ITP patients who had a splenectomy and were in remission. The clotting potential of microparticles may be helpful in preventing bleeding, but this condition may also make people with ITP more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and clots in their veins than might be expected.

#3707 “Increased Microparticle-Linked Procoagulant Activity In Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia”

www.pdsa.org/products-a-publications/e-news/2010-e-news/item/405-platelet-e-news-december-21-2010.html#INCREASED_MICROPARTICLES_LINKED_TO_THROMBOSIS_IN_ITP

Oh yes Sandi, thanks for that! I am aware! Just don't seem to be able to get my Dr's aware :silly: but I see my post perhaps didn't share that and made it seem like it was okay, wasn't my intent- I don't want to make light of the risk! I am aware and am currently working on trying to get a Dr to take it seriously! Specialists only seem interested in their own specialty and my hematologist dropped me as soon as I had the spelenctomy she saw platelet counts over a million and said in would be fine.. Haha!

Jen I will follow this to see if you do get started on antiplatelets! Please let me know!

Hey MommaBee!

Sorry life has been crazy lately.
No anti-platelet drug for me! YAY!

My platelets are now sitting nicely in the 400 range and staying pretty consistent.
I hope you're doing well too!

My doctor said the sharp pains are just my body still adjusting to the spleen no longer being there and muscle spasms. My cousin got her spleen out about 10 years ago and she still had pains. My doctor said they're okay as long as they don't interfere with my daily activities or get too severe.

I had my spleen removed 2 weeks ago, I'm healing well, but I too get "stings" sometimes ca where the spleen used to be, it's a bit reminiscent of the side stitch one can get while running.
Glad to see I'm not the only one and that it's normal