ITP and working

Hello all,

I have a question/scenario regarding ITP. My doctor has diagnosed my ITP as "chronic" due to ongoing low platelet counts since approx 2013 with fluctuating counts over the years, but with a satisfactory response to oral prednisone. My haematologist seems to think my ITP was 'triggered' during a military deployment abroad in 2012/2013 due to contracting a viral illness, and platelets have been low/fluctuating ever since.

Has anyone had any restrictions for working/employment with ITP? and do people feel at all restricted in their place of work due to fear of injury and the general anxiety of having ITP. I currently work in an office job, with no real threat of injury unless I fall down a flight of stairs or something like that. However the thought of my platelets being low feels me with a feeling of great unease. I'm currently taking anti-depressants for mental health reasons and the combination of being on that medication plus an oral prednisone has sent me absolutely loopy. I'm just wondering if ITP and associated medication/treatment has negatively effected people's employment. And if so, if there's any published medical information with details how ITP may effect a person's employment/ability to work.

I know it's a weird question/scenario but thought I would put it out there. Thanks all.

Yes, ITP affects people at their jobs, not a weird question at all. ITP affects people with frequent doctor visits that they have to take off work for- I go for Nplate injections every Weds afternoon which sometimes interferes with work- hard to take off, plus having to explain where I'm going and why I need weekly injections at a cancer center. I don't bruise much but have worn long sleeves, long pants due to bruising and petechaie. I avoid driving on the freeway with low counts. I am not at risk for injury at work as its a safe easy environment. Others have real trouble with a high-risk physical job. We all try to get some kind of treatment that works for our life style. But sometimes the person's work or favorite sport activities have to change. Hopefully those folks will tell their story.

My advice to you is don't use prednisone as a long term treatment, its really not a good idea. The side effects are so bad and there are other treatments that are much better. Especially if you have depression, prednisone can make it so much worse. I've had steroid psychosis from dexamethasone (stronger drug like pred) and depression from prednisone. Has your doctor suggested anything else for treatment? Promacta and Nplate are drugs designed specifically for ITP and have a good success rate with fewer side effects. I don't have any side effects from Nplate. Unlike prednisone which caused me to gain 30lbs, thin hair, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety/depression, permanent bone loss PLUS the withdrawal took nearly a year was terrible with joint aches, muscle pains, fatigue. AND it really affected me at work- impatient, irritable, short fuse, exhausted. I yelled at a 96 yr old woman client while I was on prednisone- not good. I apologized and she said she was hard of hearing so didn't notice, in fact she thought I was wonderful. whew got out of that one! But I realized I was out of control on prednisone, so got very serious about tapering off.

Thanks for the info mate

How much pred are you currently on? I agree with what Poseymint says, though my experiences with ITP and pred are different. I tolerated prednisone well for 17 + years, and during that time (I retired during that time), I had no problems with work (teaching). But then my body turned against the pred, and I'm still going through the withdrawal. I'm using Promacta though my platelets are still very inconsistent (on Thursday 23K). I haven't functioned very efficiently since I developed the intolerance for pred.

i work in a factory with steel all day and my platelet count is 28 i am chronic so my hemo says . i worry about cutting myself and fatigue just have to be carefull
i am not on any meds for itp

porqupine, do your co-workers and/or boss know that you might need to go to the hospital if you get cut?

yes my coworker knows not my bosses . He knows what to do