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started prednisone yesterday - wish me luck!

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14 years 11 months ago #9361 by lizzels
My hematologist started me on prednisone yesterday (60mg/day) so send good thoughts my way that the prednisone works! I was diagnosed with ITP two and a half years ago but I've never been treated because my count is usually between 50 and 80, but now that I am pregnant and getting closer to my due date, they want to get my count up to 100 if possible (my count has ranged from 45-63 during my pregnancy and most recently was 55) so that I'll have the option for an epidural and so I can avoid having to have general anesthesia if I need a c-section. I wasn't going to treat for a few more weeks, but my blood pressure has been creeping up and the OB thinks I might end up with preeclampsia and needing to deliver early, so we're trying to get my counts up ASAP. The hema is also a little concerned because preeclampsia can also lower platelet counts, so we need to do everything can now to get my counts up.

So - we're trying prednisone first and hopefully I"ll get a response. If it doesn't work, then we'll try IVIg, and if that doesn't work, the hema mentioned decadron as a possibility. So we'll see - hopefully the predisone works and the side effects aren't TOO terrible!
  • server
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  • newcreationchangingdaily
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14 years 11 months ago #9362 by server
Hi lizzels :) How great that you haven't had treatment for 2 1/2 years! Prednisone works for most, I'm gonna believe it will work for you! Let us know how it goes. When are you due?

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Blessings,
gretchen
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14 years 11 months ago #9365 by lizzels
I am due on December 10, but I'm sort of doubtful I'll make it that far if my blood pressure keeps creeping up, which the OB sort of expects it to do. I'll be 35 weeks tomorrow and my goal right now is to make it to 37 weeks (full term). At least I know that even if I deliver soon, the baby should be fine since I'm so far along already. As long as we both end up healthy, that's what matters!

On the one hand, it would be great to hold off until my due date, but on the other hand, I'd be fine with the baby coming at 37-38 weeks - then I wouldn't have to be on prednisone for as long, either. Crossing my fingers!
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 11 months ago #9376 by Sandi
That's a high dose! Prednisone can also cause high blood pressure so be careful.

Good luck, Liz.
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14 years 10 months ago #9435 by lizzels
So far it looks like I'm getting a response from the prednisone. Today my count was up to 81 (from 55 last Wednesday). I'm hoping my count keeps going up - the anesthesiologist and OBs would like it to be 100 before I deliver. So far so good, and I'm feeling cautiously optimistic!