Treatment In Canada?

Is there anyone out there that can help me with treatments that are available in Canada?

I've been checking out the treatments section and have seen talk about immune suppressants, Promacta, H.Pylori tests, Nplate and so on. Before I get my hopes up that there may be something out there for me I'd like to know if any of it is even available.

Your help would be greatly appreciated,

Kelly

Kelly from what I have gathered here it all depends on where you live in Canada as to what is available. Have you discussed treatments with your doctor?

What Province are you in, Kelly? I'm in NB, and can get IVIG, Win Rho, Pred. The Win Rho didn't do diddly squat for me, so I stopped that. I'm on 5mg. pred daily. If my counts drop below 20, I get IVIG. My hema dr is trying to get Rituxan approved for me and another girl. I don't know if the new treatments are available here. I,for one, was never tested for the H. Pylori. The big thing to remember is, we are all different. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa. Melinda's right, every Province is different in how ITP is treated.

Good luck on your decisions. Let us know what you decide.

Thanks for the quick reply guys.

I live in Alberta, had my spleen out 8 years ago, tried the pred thing (my platelets didn't budge) and IVIG only works for about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks. My count has been sitting at about 3-5K for the last 5 years. My doctor that dealt with my ITP(who was the best, to me) is now semi-retired. He specialized in many things but now works solely at a diabetic clinic. I really miss him. If I found something on the net that looked promising he'd immediately look into it for me. He put me on the list for clinical trials (not so sure I like that idea) at the U of A but I've never heard from anyone there.

My family doctor, I really need to find a new one, was upset with me when she received my last platelet count. She said she didn't know I had ITP. Well, I'm pretty sure that's not something I'd keep from her! Sorry for ranting, I am trying to find a new one.

Mostly I'm just wondering if there is anything new out there yet that may be available to me.

BTW Cindy, what part of NB are you from? I have tons of family down there!

Kelly

I'm in Saint John, right on the Bay of Fundy! I have family in different parts of Alberta. My brother used to live in Sylvan Lake. He's been coming home for the summer for the last 3 years. I visited a friend out there in Edmonton way back in /85.

I think if you really wanted Rituxan (Rituximab) you could get it off label with the help of a Dr to apply. With counts that low I'm sure it would happen.
Nplate is a new one and looks like it's approved for use for ITP. I think coverage by insurance is the issue with this one for the cost:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/sbd-smd/phase1-decision/drug-med/nd_ad_2009_nplate_117327-eng.php

Did you try Imuran? My hemo had suggested this as a steroid sparing agent.

good luck.

I'm in Newfoundland, and had Rituximab a few months ago. I had fallen to 8K at my lowest, and am now up to 180K.