Need to Vent! And. That. Is. All!

Vdeutsch85 wrote: Actually it's me.... 28

I have 2 coats older than you! Actually you are the same age as my oldest daughter.

Now! You can just be quiet and do not bring your age up again! LOL

Jeffrey (Senior Jeffrey)

Ha ha Jeffrey! I did do my workout this morning in your honor!

There have been several youngsters on here lately. Unfortunately itp effects all ages. I met a guy who is in his 30's and has had it since 10 months old. ( he's had remissions in that period) but still crazy

Hey Everyone! I sat down to do lesson plans and ended up perusing facebook and visiting the forum instead! I haven't updated you all in a while! I have been so busy with school and I am finally getting into the swing of things after a very, very stressful beginning of the school year! I feel like I have a grip now! Anyways, my ITP rollercoaster is still as crazy and weird as ever! My latest count was 177 yesterday! Needless to say, I was thrilled. I had prepared myself for a drop because usually when I start the taper from 30mg to 20mg of prednisone they go down. Well, they didn't! In fact, they stayed exactly the same. So, I was ecstatic. My hema has postponed the Rituxan inevitably until we figure out if I am rebounding on my own. She says that my numbers are very "encouraging." She tapered me to 15 mg. prednisone and we check again in a week! I am praying that they still stay stable! So far, so good!

YEAH for Platelets!!!! - very GOOD

It is VERY possible that you will rebound on your own - keep the faith

Cindy Ann

Good for you, Nat! :lol:

Wow, that is great!

Hey Gnat! (LOL I just could not resist that)

I am so very happy for you! You are actually a little over on platelets. Please send some to Indiana! Keep going girl!

Jeffrey

This is great new Nat!! Platelets have been staying up for a while now

Natalie wrote:

My hema has postponed the Rituxan inevitably until we figure out if I am rebounding on my own.

Do you think it was "on your own", or that the hi-dose dexamethasone had something to do with it? As I recall, you had more than the usual dex pulse, a dex pulse plus a slow taper... sort of like steroids on steroids. I know it was a horrid experience, but it just might have done the trick for you!

I am curious where your hema found this protocol. Normally the pulse isn't tapered, as in theory the high dose isn't in your system long enough to cause steroid dependency.

In any case, it's wonderful news. I love hearing you healthy and happy in your work!

Wonderful count! enjoy!

Hi guys! Another update for you! And more good news! So, I was tapered down to 15mg of prednisone and fully expecting a drop (as this is what has happened in the past).I went to my hema this past Monday and my counts were at 213, up from 177. She was flabbergasted, as was I. She even said that the way my body was bouncing back was "out of this world." Considering they were all the way down to 60 and have been on a slow rise (with a slow taper of steroids) this whole time. I couldn't be happier, but as usual, I am not getting my hopes up! I am now on 10mg of prednisone and go in for weekly check ups. I am praying very hard that my counts will stabilize on their own for a while and I can be in a safe zone without having to treat with anything else. I have gained a little weight, but my moon face is slowly disappearing. It is certainly something I can deal with, though! My fingers are crossed! Thanks for all of your support!

Natalie:

That is fantastic! I'm so happy for you!

I, however, am not surprised. You were on some heavy duty steroids for a while there. If your doctor wasn't expecting (or at least hoping) to get your counts up like that, why prescribe it? Steroids are known to cause remission at times. It always makes me chuckle when a doctor is bewildered when a treatment actually works, especially when it was their idea. :blink:

Very GOOD - happy to hear your counts are doing so well :woohoo:

Cindy Ann

Yay! I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hope you are enjoying your kiddos!

Yay Natalie! That's awesome. I'm glad your counts are staying up.

Well...I had my weekly check and was ecstatic to see that I am still staying steady at 212 platelets with 10 mg of prednisone. My doctor weaned me down to 5 mg and gave me 2 weeks off (meaning my next appt. is in two weeks instead of the usual week). I looked at her like she was nuts and said, "Two weeks...are you sure?" It's funny how paranoid I am. No matter what! I guess with ITP you don't take anything for granted and nothing is ever promised. I don't know what I'll do once I'm totally off of the prednisone! I'll be having paranoid nightmares I'm sure. But, I keep telling myself that the anxiety only makes things WORSE! I should be happy (which I am) and forget it for now! I am still hoping and praying that I am rebounding on my own and that these normal numbers will last a while! I mean 10 mg isn't that much, right? I mean, I know it is something, but last time I was weaned off the roids they plummetted when I went down to 30 mg. Now they are staying up. So, that SHOULD be a good sign.

Either way, I am SO THANKFUL that the fall weather is finally showing up around here in Charleston! I LOVE fall. It is my favorite season. I love pumpkins, the smells, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all the fun stuff I get to do in my classroom! My kids are great and I'm convinced that being in my normal routine has really helped me to relax a little bit. My world isn't revolving around my platelet checks like it was this summer. I have other things to keep me busy...lots of other things! I just planned our annual trip to the pumpkin patch, which will be a blast, so that is definitely something to look forward to! And my neice and nephew turn 3 on October 19th, so I can't wait to celebrate! This school year has flown by. I can't believe the first month and half are over. I have been blessed with great kids (all 25 of them), so I am a happy camper right now!

See me smile for you!

Jeffrey

I'm so happy for you Natalie!! You are doing great!!

Dee Dee

Natalie, how are you doing?

Glad to hear you got 2 weeks off here's hoping next time you get a month or more off!