Anyone heard...

If a person becomes refractory to platelet transfusions, they will not get a response and the transfusion will not help in an emergency such as an injury or surgery. I have always read that they should be reserved for bleeding emergencies only; low counts with few symptoms do not count.

Also, the more transfusions are used, the greater the risk that a patient will develop an allergic reaction which can include anaphylaxic shock. A person can also develop Post Transfusion Purpura, which means that after the transfusion, counts can drop lower than they were before. And last, platelet transfusions carry a risk of bacterial infections due to the temperature in which it must be stored.

www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/bbp/bacterial-contamination-of-platelets.html

Sandy, Now, I'm not sure if the doctor meant refractory to treatment or to transfusions? I would really like to find out. I thought she meant refractory to treatment. She is such a nice doctor--maybe we can find out (or buy the video?). When my platelets go down to 1,000, the doctors at the hospital/doctor's office pressure me so much to get the platelet transfusions (I've had two or three). I have to actually argue with the hospital staff telling them I refuse to have any more transfusions.

I will really stick by my "guns" if this happens again. It would be nice to have one of their papers on the subject to keep on file.

(all she said at the conference is that platelets transfusions make you refractory?; She just stressed do not let them give you the transfusions unless you are actually "blue in the face")

She probably meant refractory to transfusions; I don't think it could cause a person to become refractory to all treatments, it doesn't seem logical.

I will probably try to get a copy of the DVD. I'm sure many things were covered that are not included in all the articles I read. Thanks for all of the info, DeeDee!

Melinda, about "safe levels"--my former hema (who retired) didn't worry about me if I were in the 20s--though he preferred 25. My current hema likes me to be at least in the 30s. He is much more conservative, and he does know I have occasional nosebleeds.