For those who might be interested in how my platelet levels have progressed in relation to the various treatments I have received over the past 3 months I have taken the time to chart them for your consideration. I used MyChart from my hospital which graphs all my levels for everything the CBC picks up from every test I have undergone since July 8th. I dont know what any of it means other than Ritux and Nplate seem to work for me.
I was told to go to the ER after the blood test on July 8th when I went to the Dr to complain about the horrid weird bruising, bleeding, and extreme fatigue. Thought I was dying based on my physical appearance, how I felt, and the urgency with which the lab tech told me that I had to go to the ER immediately because my platelet level was "dangerously low" (it was 2). I was also told that I was not to go to the hospital nearest me but to Riverside Hospital which was 40 minutes away because Walter Reed(my counties hospital) didnt have the ability to deal with my issue. This made things sound even more ominous at the time. I had never heard of ITP. Had no idea of its existence. All I knew about platelets were that they were produced in the bone marrow along with red and white blood cells so I figured Im doomed. That being my state of mind I stopped at Sonic on my way to the Hospital. Bought 2 foot long hot dogs(mustard and onions) and a Large Coke and sat in hospital parking lot for half an hour enjoying my last meal and finishing off my last pack of smokes before I went in to face the worst. Thankfully ITP is not the worst...not by far..not even close
First stay in hospital 7 days:
first 5 days treated with Prednisone only, these were the daily counts 3 4 9 10 11 12
sixth day the decision was made to go with IVIG and the following day my level was at 46 and I was released.
3 days after release from hospital my next test result: 29.0
As a result of this droppage my Prednisone dosage was upped to 60 mg a day
3 days after that my test result was: 3
I was ordered back into the hospital
2nd hospital stay 4 days:
two platelet transfusions in ER and continued Prednisone and these were my daily counts the first 3 days of the hospital stay 5 3 7
On my 4th and final day the decision was made to begin 4 weeks of Ritux along with Nplate once a week.
Received first Ritux transfusion and Nplate injection the 4th and final day of my hospital stay. This is when I began the taper off of Prednisone. My platelet level was 15 when I was released.
From this point on I my platelet levels were measured once a week during my weekly Ritux and Nplate treatment
Second Ritux Infusion and Nplate treatment
Platelet level 12
Third Ritux Infusion and Nplate treatment
Platelet level 286
Fourth and final Ritux Infusion and Nplate treatment and tapered completely off Prednisone
Platelet level 14
After this point all platelet checks were once a week with my weekly Nplate injection
One week after my final Ritux Infusion.
Platelet level 208.0
Following week
262.0
Following week
176
Following week
22.0
Following week
386.0
Following week
168.0
This past week
233.0
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