Ssshhh - don't tell the consultant!

We were a bit naughty yesterday - we took Dougie and his brothers paintballing!

I was really surprised by how "safe" it was. The marshalls marked the participants with a medical problem with an extra arm band and kept an eye on them. Everyone wore body armour and a helmet with visor which they were absolutely not allowed to take off when they were playing.

Anyway, the day was a great success with everyone including Dougie. He has a good few bruises but he said he considers them worth it. We might even go again!

so nice to hear that he had fun:lol:

My 11 year old son is desperate to play paintball, since his two big brothers do, and his friends have started. I've never seen body armor at any of the places here, though. How does it work? Is it a jersey and pants with some padding, or something thicker? I'm sure he would say the bruises are worth it, but I'm not convinced. His dad thinks he should be able to do it, though.

What made you willing to do it, and how are the bruises looking now, a couple of days later?

And I promise not to tell.

Hi Dots,

Dougie's actually been paintballing with the school once before when he had ITP - his teacher researched it and said that she felt it would be safe so I took her word for it! I think his counts might have been in the 20s or 30s at the time though, whereas at the moment I think 10 might be a reasonable guess. Just once in a while, its nice to say "yes" though......

The best way I can explain the body armour was that it was a very thin version of a bullet proof vest just covering the torso. I've just tried googling "paintball body armour" and came up with this site which are similar ( www.store.justpaintball.co.uk/pads-armour ). It seems like you can buy a lot of safety equipment.

Dougie has got some good bruises, but no worse than he gets from banging his legs on chairs and stuff like that. He has one on the side of his chest where the armour didn't cover him, and some really impressive ones on his arms and legs. The worst one is where a paintball hit an existing bruise. He wants to go again though, so they can't be that bad.

I honestly thought it was quite safe with all the safety precautions they took, so I hope that your son is able to get to do it at some point.

Ali

I forgot......there was a kind of padded collar thing to protect the neck that everyone had to wear too.

Ali,
Happy for Dougie that he got to go! I've not heard of places that have the armor like that here. But, makes sense, as I know even non-ITPers get some pretty good bruises from the pellets.

Not sure if you have it there or not, but there's a topical homeopathic cream that I just love for all things black and blue! It's called Traumeel by Heel. If you google it, it actually has had quite a bit of research done on it, if that's important to you.
It's got a number of different remedies that are good for bruising, pain, swelling and that helps stop bleeding: Arnica, Bellis perrenis, Hamamelis (witch hazel), Millefolium and other remedies.

We use it frequently at our house, for bruises, waking up with a 'crick' in the neck, overexertion of muscles, for sore muscles when flying or riding in the car for a long trip, etc. It is my favorite cream, as it has remedies that address trauma to different kinds of tissues: muscles, nerves, bones, skin.

It's very safe. The only precaution is don't apply to broken skin, as it may irritate it. Also, should not be applied over a very large area of the body. But for bruises like Dougie probably has, apply it 3-4 times/day or after washing or bathing. You'll be amazed how quickly his skin will heal up.

Also a good idea to up his Vitamin C and Vitamin K intakes to help with capillary integrity and clotting, a few days before he goes to do something like this. I suggest just getting it through foods known to be high in these, is the safest, easiest and least expensive way.

Yeah, Dougie! I am sure it was totally worth it!
April

Thanks April, that sounds like really good advice, so I will try it when we go again. I've never heard of Traumeel, but having googled it, it is available here.

I'll have to check out both body armor and Traumeel. He's got a bunch of bruises right now, including an astounding one just below and to the left of his right knee.

I'd love to say yes.....

Dear Ali,

I am so pleased he enjoyed it. Hope all goes well tomorrow.

I have decided to be a bit more proactive as Im fed up sitting idly by waiting to see the haematologist. The past three days I have introduced my daughter to nettle tea which is high in vit k three times a day with a spoonfull of manuka honey. I have also given her pommegranate juice (crushed from the real fruit) high in vit C once a day mid morning. I have stopped giving her any dairy products and introduced her to soya milk (has folic acid, has vit B12 and vit D). I am trying to cut out processed foods as much as possible. In 3 days her purpura spots have almost gone and her bruises seem more faded.

. I'm not saying this is by any means a cure but I am hoping her platelets have gone up. Her mood seems to be a bit more positive. I am feeling a bit more positive. Has anyone tried something like this?

We see the haematologist on Thursday for the first time. Her platelets were 2k last Thursday. I'm actually looking forward to seeing the haematologist. Isn't that weird.

Best wishes
Leat

Hi Leat,

Hey, those things can't do any harm - your changes sound like they would be good for anyone!

I am a bit of a sceptic but I've tried dairy free with Dougie - it had no effect at all, plus he hated soya milk. But I do know of one person who thought that their ITP was improved by going dairy and wheat free. Let us know how the doctor goes on Thursday.

Ali

Shall do.

My Daughter isn't keen on the changes but is willing to give it a go. Is Dougie going for treatment tomorrow? If so I hope all goes well.

My thoughts are with you both. Good luck
Leat

Yes, Manchester Children's Hospital this afternoon. Lucky us! :dry: