Platelet count is 9

I am new to this forum, but was diagnosed in 2005 when I was pregnant. Since then my platelets have been low but not scarily so and no other symptoms. That is until two weeks ago when I came out in the purpuric rash and lots of bruises (even more than usual). I went to the doctor and was hospitalised last Friday as my platelets were 8 in the morning and dropped to 5 by that night. I had a platelet infusion and was put on 70mg of prednisolone a day. I went back to the hospital yesterday and my platelets were 9. I'm freaking out.

First off take a deep breath!

Secondly remind yourself you are being monitored and treated. Being in the single digits can be very scary specially if you've not been that low before. Many of us have been in the single digits. My last count before my last treatment was 4. Years ago when I was first diagnosed I literally spent months at a time in single digits.


You have to expect some symptoms when your that low bruising petechiea. So first off look at yourself the spots and bruises and say "I should expect to have bruising and petechiea with my count". I'm getting treated so it is just a matter of time before they go up and my symptoms disappear!

Than turn your concentration to what is important! You are alive most important thing.

Some tips:
if you have bleeding gums wet a tea bag and hold it next to the area that is bleeding.
if you get nose bleeds tilt head forward pinch bridge of nose and place an ice pack at the back of your neck.
5-10 minutes of bleeding no big deal more than 1/2 hour to an hour of bleeding time to get it looked at.

No freaking out! :woohoo: ITP can seem scary at first, but it gets easier as time goes on and you learn that you can live with the low counts until treatments kick in. It can take time for treatments to work, or take time to find the right one. ITP can be managed for most people and the treatments can be worse than the disorder.

I think most of us have been down to single digits at one point or another. As long as you know about it, are monitored and treated, you'll be fine.