Giving blood ?

I am 16 years old with ITP. I was diagnosed with it about 3 years ago and i absolutely hate it. At my school there is a blood drive going on on the 18th and unfortunetly i can not participate, so i've been hearing and reading. I've always wanted to give blood and now im old enough and i cant. My doctor told me that my ITP looks like its turning into lupus. I dont even know what that means exactly so it kind of frightens me. I'm only 16 and i have a chronic blood disorder I'm just scared sometimes what the future will be like for me. I just try to stay strong and not think about it.
If anyone knows for sure if i can give blood or not you can let me know, thanks.

No, you shouldn't give blood. You have antibodies against your platelets and you don't want to give them to other people.

Why does your doctor think you are developing lupus? Have you got other symptoms or had other blood results? It's good to know as much as you can, so ask next time you are there.

Hannah:

ITP isn't pleasant, I agree with you there. It's not the worst thing though, so try to stay positive. I hope you have been able to manage it without too much trouble.

Just to be clear, ITP doesn't 'turn into' Lupus. ITP can be a symptom of Lupus along with many other symptoms. Why do you think your doctor is telling you that?

Well he said I am showing symptoms of Lupus but I didnt even think of it. I just have you know the petechiae on my legs and bruises and just normal symptoms of ITP but lupus, i dont know the word itself scares me.

It is a scary word. But like ITP, it can be managed. I won't say that life is normal for everyone with Lupus, but many do quite well.

Well do you know exactly what it is?
I feel like I'm getting worse with this disease!
My body had actually turned itself around like 2 summers ago and it just came back I absolutely hate it.

The only medication or "steroids" i've taken is Dexamethasone but i read about all these other medications that i've never even hear of.

Just to add another question, can you donate organs?

Hannah - Lupus can cause damage to tissues and organs and can cause widespread inflammation and fatigue. There are many, many symptoms that can come and go. Like ITP, it can be chronic.

Milly - I've never heard that a person couldn't donate organs, but I don't know for sure. I think if I needed an organ or I would die, I would gladly accept the possibility of temporary ITP to stay alive. I am not sure if antibodies can be transferred from organs.

Yeah my thoughts as well, just wondered though as I am listed as a organ donor!

Well my levels are at 5 right now.
I have to go up to Portland tomorrow for an appointment with my doctor up there and it will probably result in IVIG.
Im not a big fan of IVIG I have like a 4 hour drive on the way home with a excrutiating headache I barely can stand it.
Hopefully this treatment wont take 2 days again...

Portland Maine? I have a hotel room you could use.
Erica

That would be awesome but unfortunitly its in Portland Oregon.
-Hannah