I posted this earlier in the general area, but didn't realize that there was a man cave. Great idea by the way! I was diagnosed in December 2001 but had symptoms for about 6 months prior (34 years old at the time). My first cbc was actually a result of a huge, very painful, gout attack in my elbow. I don't recall what my numbers were at first, but over the course of the next 4 - 5 months, they plummeted to near nonexistant. I had the splenectomy in 2002 and my numbers have been great (400's) ever since. I tried all the normal treatments (i.e. vinchristine, HUGE amounts of prednisone, cyclosporine, IvIg, Danazol and H. Pylori treatment, which nearly killed me.).
Does anybody else struggle with gout and, if so, do you think it has anything to do with ITP? Also, I have been having problems with ED since the day I started taking prednisone. Is that common? The only medications I take now are allipurinol and cholcrys for gout. Sorry if I inappropriately posted this in the general area earlier.