TOPIC:

I have stopped taking papaya Leaf juice. I found it was not helping.

Just a note about my progress with the papaya leaf extract.Started a year ago you can follow my story way back in the blogs.Tuesday my number was 130.It does go up and down.80-90-110 etc.I now take the papaya leaf tablets two in am with 2 tblspoons of the liquid extract.I order the extract from Iowa Select no alcohol in it.I take it on empty stomach first thing in the am and I wait 30 min before eating or drinking.I order pills from Amazon 35.00
with free ship. My numbers started out at 7 then slowly went up. I don't think this will work for everyone but look at the research this extract raises platelet levels .This is used widely to treat Dengue Fever,which effects blood count.
This stuff is used for lots of things and is supposed to prevent Cancer.My prayers go out to all who try it and pray it will work for you.Do not give up on other alternative treatments.Reiki meditation etc.Also look into food allergies.It is amazing to hear about so many that have allergies they did not know they had.These reactions can trigger an ITP episode! I have been through the hell of ITP treatment my heart goes out to all who suffer with this disease,Hold on Hang in and God Bless!

KittieG:

Was wondering if the pill version of papaya leaf extract has helped your platelet count? How did you get your platelets to to 32k?

Actually my platelet count has only been 1 time above 20k since Oct. 12, 2011. The last check, they were 6k and plenty of petichae, some blood blisters in mouth, and some bruising. I am still taking the papaya leaf extract, but doesn't seem to be doing much.

Let us know how you are doing with papaya extract.

Very weird that you asked tonight!

My platelets went from 11 to 32k from a 20 mg a day 4 day dexamethisone pulse. The last time I took the dex, I had a boost to 91k, but a week later it was 11. So even though I went to 32k, I didn't have high hopes this would stick.

That was when I began taking the papaya.I was using the pill version of papaya, and taking three a day. I didn't have a ton, but that's what most of the websites said to take, so I figured I'd take them until they ran out, which happened to coincide with my appointment with my new doctor at Johns Hopkins. So I ended up taking 3 a day for about two weeks, up to the day I had my numbers done. I assumed my numbers would be crap again (they've been hovering around 15-20k for the last three months), and I've been waiting to hear from them (Johns Hopkins doesn't have an immediate result, weirdly enough).

I just received my numbers from my appointment today. On 4/9, my numbers were 129k!

This was wholly unexpected. I mean, I haven't had a GOOD report back in forever. The last time I had that big of a jump, it was after winrho.

I kind of don't believe it.

I've gotten so used to having the bad news that, well, I just don't know how to take this news! I keep thinking they read it wrong, or got someone else's blood.

But I have to say, the one thing that was different was the papaya leaf. Three a day every day, no skipping.

So, I'm not ready to state that the papaya leaf has made my numbers better (but I did immediately run upstairs and order three more bags of it). I mean, it could also be that the dexamethisone finally worked. Or all of the other crap that I've done over the year (three doses of IViG, endless prednisone, Winrho twice, rituxan, dexamethisone twice) finally cumulatively worked. I don't know.

I guess the real way to know would be to get my numbers done again now that I haven't been taking the papaya (haven't taken it since 4/9), and see if they are low again, and then start taking them again and see if they go up. Maybe I will do that. not that this would be a scientific experiment either, but it might give some insight. but then again, I hate getting at crap done (I'm sure we all do).

But yeah - 129k. It seems unbelievable.

Interesting Kittie. I was also being treated at Hopkins till I moved. Anyway, I tried the liquid Papaya but got a bloody nose. Maybe it was too strong.

I do however have the pills which I was taking before the extract but didn't have much of a reaction with them. My primary treatment method now is homeopathy though but I am saving my Papaya pills as a back up. I will throw out the liquid as they did not work for me. The liquid I got was from herbal papaya. I also have the liquid extract from Iowa Select which I haven't used.

KittieG:

That is great your platelets were 129k! I'm excited for you. Hopefully it was the papaya pills.

What brand name do you order of the Papaya pills and from which company? I would like to try the papaya pills as my platelets were 6k last check Tues. 4/17.

Thanks and keep us informed on your platelet count.

Ha - maybe I spoke too soon!

Got new numbers today - 17k. So back to my old "norm". doh!

BUT I had stopped w the papaya leaf since 4/9. So now the experiment is in full swing: I just received more pills (I get my pills from Herbal Gardens Inc, in Lauderhill FL - theherbalgardens.com), and I'm going to go back on them as three a day tomorrow. No prednisone still... So I think this will be a good experiment.

I'll report back soon (hopefully not from a hospital bed while receiving IViG!).

KittieG:

Were you on dexamenthisone just prior to taking the papaya pills on 4/9? If so, what was the date of your last treatment?

Will look forward to your platelet count after taking the papaya pills again. I hope the pills will bring your count up high!

I am planning to order pills, although the liquid has not brought my platelets up.

Keep us informed on your experiment and count.

Good question! Let's see..... Looking at a calendar.....

My last numbers were taken a week after stopping a four day pulse of the dex. It was exactly 3 weeks later i had the 124k read. Here's the timeline:

3/2 - 13k begin 4 day pulse of 20 mg dexamethasone
3/5 - final day of dex
3/9 - 91k
3/16 - 11k, begin second 4 day pulse of dexamethasone
3/19 - final day of dex
3/23 - 32k, no treatment prescribed
3/24 - begin papaya leaf treatment
4/9 - new doctor, numbers 124k (second read 119)
4/9 - end papaya leaf treatment
4/9 - 4/27 - no treatment of any kind
4/27 - Petechia on chest, very slight. 17k.
4/28 - begin papaya leaf treatment again.

Believe me - I think its just as possible that it could be the dex, even though it was three weeks later. I'm not sure how the dex works with me - maybe the response time is growing? Maybe just the opposite, and I only got a small bump on the second go round. For me, all other treatments have gone that route - in the beginning they work pretty well, but then stop giving me such a good response with repeated tries. Even IViG was like that.

So there are quite a lot of possibilities out there for the 124k:

1. It was the dex that caused it, and I should try another round.
2. It was the papaya, and I should try that again.
3. The machine was wrong.
4. It was the papaya, but like all other things I've tried, my body will adjust and soon it will not work either.

There's no way to know except to try it and carefully document what the heck is going on, so that's where I'm at right now. I'm trying to look at the Papaya as just another option.

Three papaya pills every day, then I'll get my numbers done again when I get back into town (hopefully 5/10).

Good luck to you as well!

Its great that you're doing this - having read through it seems this is the closest thing to a systematic trial of this treatment. I'm gripped as to what happens next! (Although forgive me for remaining at least partially sceptical)

KittieG:

Thanks for info on dex and papaya pills. Looking forward to your platelet count after taking the pills for next couple of weeks.

I'm trying to decide what to take to get platelet count up. Having some nose bleeds as platelets were 6k last count on 4/3/12. I have not tried dexamethasone. Did you have any problems with it?

Keep us informed on the platelet count. Why does it take so long to find out your platelet count? I hope it goes up with the pills!

Elly - to answer your questions:

I personally preferred the dex to the prednisone, but there are worse, faster side effects from dex, although I wasn't on it long enough to have any. For me it was easier on me mentally than prednisone, even though it is much stronger. That said, I only had a week or so of relief. So for me, it's like a cheap quick fix, if my numbers are crap. Most doctors would try the prednisone first, though.

It usually doesn't take so long for me to get my numbers from my regular hematologist - the new guy has to send the labs out, which is weird since he's attached to a hospital.

As for now - I'm on a work trip, have a few petechia, and tired, but nothing really significant. Being careful just I case.

Tom P:

Cant blame you for being skeptical - No one is more skeptical than me!

I'm willing to try anything, ya never know. Honestly doctors seem to be just guessing so why not try stuff? I figure this is really the only way to know if it's the papaya or if it's other stuff.

So the experiment begins!

Kittie:

My platelet count was 9k on May 3. I have a lot of petechia and some bruising. I don't think they have been above 10k since Jan. 2012.

Looking forward to your platelet count with the papaya pills. Hopefully they will be up!

Keep us informed.

Update: I'm still taking three a day. Haven't gone to get my numbers though. Sorry.

I may go this Friday - ill let you know if I do!

hi robfoss I recently had the ivig ganna globulin, no help there, they want to give me rituxin, I have doubts, about it. can you tell me what papaya extract you ordered from amazon, and the cost, you said you take 30cc's a day how long does it last, It appears it works for you. thank you frank

Hey Frank.
You can look back at my entries if you go back and read my story and luck with papaya leaf extract! I order from Iowa Select Herbs online.They have several different size bottles to choose from.I take 30ml or 2 tablespoons daily.I take 1st thing when I get up in the am wait 30 minutes before eating. Took one bottle of Rituxin I was allergic almost killed me!Look at newer treatments out there.It does work for some folks! I take papaya daily my last platelet count was 130. hope it will work for you ROB

hi robfoss, thank you for your information, I just ordered the papaya leaf extract, thanks agin, i dont know when i will get it, maybe by may 29, again thank you . I will let you know, and keep in touch with you. again thank you and god bless

Hi rob, this is frankie,I ordered, the papaya, extract, can you tell what pills, you are taking. Again I must thank you for your information. Stay well, and god blees. frankie

Morning,
I take the caps now but only after my levels stabilized.At first I took the liquid only.I ordered the caps from Amazon.Iowa Select ships fast so you should get yours soon.I pray the papaya works for you It does promote increase in platelets.I would keep taking it for quite some time even though your levels don't make a quick recovery.I will take it forever! I pray it will work for you! ROB

The caps are Papaya leaf extract caps.Make sure they are 100%.Rob

Thank you all for posting encouraging words on this blog. I have been taking the liquid and capsules. Another option to getting the extract is from herbal papaya company on their website herbalpapaya.com or on Amazon. When I order I usually receive it within 3 to 4 days of ordering and they are organic without any alcohol content which is important for me. Blessings

HI ROB JUST RECIEVED MY PAPAYA LEAF EXTRACT, 5/19. STARTED TAKING THE LIGUID EXTRACT, 2 TBLS,ON 5/20,TIME 720AM .MY COUNT WAS 43K ON 5/16, AFTER THE IVIG, THEY WENT DOWN 2K AFTER TREATMENT. AGAIN THANK YOU, AND ALL THE CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS WEBSITE. FRANKIE

HI DIMPLES. YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE TAKING THE EXTRACT PILLS, AND THE TEA .DID YOU GET RESULTS BACK .I JUST STARTED USING THE LIQUID EXTRACT,5/20/12, BUT I WOULD CONSIDER THE PILLS AND TEA. LET US KNOW HOW THEY ARE WORKING. IF YOU CAN POST SOME TEST RESULTS. THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS . FRANKIE34

Frankie, I have been using the capsules and tea together since August of last year - 2 caps a day plus 2 to 3 cups of tea. Really wanted to try the liquid but decided to stay with what is working for me right now, plus I love drinking herbal teas and not quite sure what the liquid tastes like. My count was at 17K before the papaya extract experiment. 3 Months later using just papaya leaf extract, my count was 90K. Recent test on 4/23/12 count has stabilized at 147K. I order from the herbalpapaya.com company as it seems to have strong credentials/GMO-free/alcohol free lab tested etc etc, and I've been happy with my results. I think whatever works for you is best so keep us updated.

A quick google search brings up the following.

www.my-diary.org/read/d/572752

"I recently launched an online business selling my line of herbal papaya leaf and fruit products." signed by Dimples.

I thought so.

Edit: She's now closed the diary off so it's not available to view any more... except for the copy I saved.

Hello,
I was diagnosed with ITP last tuesday! I am currently 39 weeks pregnant. First pregnancy!
In october 2011 My platelets count was 169k. I was 1.5 months pregnant. Before pregnancy in july 2011 my blood count was 30k then 10 days later it went up to an accepted level ( i dont remember as i had no idea this was serious back then and thought nothing of it).
Last tuesday my plateleta count was 7k so i was admitted into hospital for ivg ( octagam) levels webt up to 25 then 28 in two days but by monday level webt back down to 16k.
So i gave up and started prednisone this morning because i am due any time in the next week or so and dont want to hemorrhage!
Very stressful week!
After reading this blog i ordered the papaya leaf extract and capsules will receive them tomorrow.
Is it ok to use while on prednisone?
I already can say i dont like how i feel on prednisone...60mg till delivery.
Please send me prayers and any advise you can give me
Thank you.

KittieG:

Did you get you platelet count yet? I am looking forward to your results from the papaya leaf pills.

Hopefully they will work for you. Let us know as soon as possible.

Thanks.

Hi dimples. thank you for your information.The liquid extract, tastes lousy to me, others have voiced the same opinion. I think I am going to shift to the capsules and tea, after i finish with the liquid.Again thank you for your information. Keep us informed of your progress.I personally think based on the websites contributors, this is the way to go.I am on a quest to increase my platelets to normal. I haven't yet because I just started the liquid, but I sincerely believe I will beat this.Again thank you and god bless

HI . I just did some research. i tablespoon equals 14.78 cc's, 1 tablespoon equals .5 fluid ounces.Hope this helps. take care. and god bless