Questions

My daughter completed her prednisone taper on Monday. Thursday was 28 days since the original treatment was started. She had some side effects which are resolving, and I think I am starting to see some hint of her cheekbones again. Her last count March 2 her platelet count was 291, but her WBCs were also very high (23.9) so I am sure it was all from the prednisone. I am pretty sure her counts are still good, no bruising no bleeding even with bumps and bangs that would have caused major bruises. Her next count will be March 23.

My question for those who are comfortable sharing (or guessing): how many people are treated based on low counts verses bleeding symptoms? Once you are treated based on symptoms do you continue treating if counts get to the low point where symptoms occured in the past, or wait for symptoms again? I hope that her counts stay up for a while, but I am thinking about the next step before she has her next appointment.

Ironically I think I was dealing better when her counts were down. I feel like now I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, even though I know that is useless and counterproductive. For the most part I just want to relax and enjoy this break from the acute episode but I am finding that "turning it off" is not quite as easy as I thought it would be.

WBC's can go up from Prednisone and often do.

I'm glad she seems to be doing so well. As for when to treat next....Terri, you have a great handle on this and you will instinctively know when to treat. You knew this time. Trust yourself.

I always treat with a count below 10. I'd only treat at a higher count if I had symptoms. And symptoms to me means blood blisters in the mouth, blood in the urine or uncontrollable nose bleeds. But that's what I'm comfortable with. Others may be different.

I was diagnosed in Jan 2015.I am 61 years. I had blacked out and my daughter called 911 by the time they
got me to the ER. My body was being to shut down.They told her I had ITP. They could tell by just
just looking at my legs I had red spots on them and they were also on my stomach.They
gave me blood and platelets. They put me in me hospital checked my bone morrow and found it had
stopped making platelets. My counts go up and down They have been as low as 1. I see my DR.
every other day.He has me on Nplate I have had 5 shots so far.I am also on prednisone I stay tired
and I am very weak. I can't do anything. I try to fix me something to eat and I can't wait
to finish because my back hurts so bad and my knees start to shake. I have told my Doctor
he is in charge I will do what ever he says. I have been in and out of the hospital and at one
visit I was there for 12 days. I am trying to keep my chin up. But it is hard. I also have
dizzy spells and I have them often.I also have tinitus which is a ringing in the ear.
I don't sleep good I get maybe 2 hours at time.
Has anyone had these problems?