When to worry about bruises

My daughter tested at 129,000 last Monday so we have been letting her pretty much do whatever with no restrictions. I panicked this weekend when I went to pick her up from cheerleading and she had a crazy looking bruise on her shin and one on each elbow and then a few small ones on the bony part of her arm.

I called hemo and he said if I was concerned bring her in Monday for a blood test- my husband thinks we should just watch and see if she gets more. The ones on her arms are already looking better (the brown color)

Her last treatment was 6 months ago (IVIG) and nothing since. She has steadily increased each month. Would you just give her a few days and see if she gets any more or do you go as soon as you notice increased bruising?

I understand because 16 years into being diagnosed with ITP I still look at the bruise and try to work out is it an ITP bruise or is it a result of natural injury. Of which by the way on Christmas Day I happend to bang my knee against the coffee table, something we all do from time to time. Over the 24 hour it came up whopping, the biggest bruise I have seen in a long long time.
Christmas night, the blood blisters were there.... but wouldn't bother ringing then and still wasn't entirely convinced as only had about 3 spots of the rash. Boxing Day, church again with it being sunday. I serve on the Altar and every time I stood or did something I was achey. I felt sure I be in hospital that night, though not entirely convinced.
We came home from church and a quick look at the rash which had developed vagually. A phone call to the ward and was told to go in for the test....
To cut the story short I had a count of 7 this time.

But I have been through plenty of times and the count was normal. Boxing Day was more nervy in that it being Christmas still and if it was up then I be kind of wasting everyones time. So was relieved more ways than one when he came in and told me the count was 7.

But I go through that agonising Is it - aint it. every time and the only thing I would suggest is if in doubt - give them a ring. Learn to rely on instinct too. Whilst that is not scientific, it works pretty well for me. They would get worried if you went through with her every week checking I suppose. But certainly at the beginning they be pretty much okay about it or should be.

I only have to ring up and be there within the hour by car

I don't suppose I have said anything to help ease your worry accept that I do go through that for myself every time I suspect a bruise.
Just keep an eye on them and if you are not happy then ring the number you have and ask for advice and they will say what to do. ITP bruises have a distinct colour, but like I find, injury bruises can be much bigger when platelets are down. It aint guaranteed at all but can be.

hope this helps

Thank you! It did. We took her in and she was at 5,000 so I'm so glad we took her. So in a nutshell she was on no restrictions with a count of 5,000. So Thank you Again and Again for your response.

We did an IVIG tonight which was the worst timing because we are in the middle of a crazy snowstorm. But now we are finally at home and I am exhausted. Hoping for this one to last as long as the last one did.

Thank you again!

glad you found it helpfull and remember when even in doubt, ring that number. glad you caught it this time. And as my hemo tells me at the out patients appointment - we hope not to see you this evening:-} which does reassure me in that they know how fast it can drop etc.

though like you he did say to me today, when you see the bruising.... previously I relied on the rash bruising and perhaps bleeding. I questioned the and bleeding and he ummed and ahhed. I wont tell him of the bruises i been kind of ignoring these last weeks especially as my count is in the normal range today 240(+) and only two more weeks of the steroids. But think will stick to usual symptoms because when I gone through on others the count has been in normal range.

Hope it goes well for you and your daughter.