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Low platelets

Hello, I'm worrying yet again about recent events for My hubby John, he is +126 days out of transplant and has had cmv on and off since transplant it had cleared up but it's back again so back on the valganciclovir!! But before it came back the last couple of weeks, the platelet counts have dropped and today we went for Johns Bone marrow biopsy which was already booked in, the consultant said he needs to have an injection to boost his counts, whilst waiting for the biopsy results, im worried the falling platelets means something awful has happened, im sure I've read somewhere that low platelets means there is a problem with the chimerisim! What a lot of worth this all is!!!!!

Comments

  • Hi TJM,
    I really feel for you. I think I was in a very similar situation to your husband about 6 months ago and it was horrible. There are loads of reasons why platelets could be falling. Whilst I know it is incredibly hard, I think the best is probably to try to switch off all those doubts in your mind until you get the results. There is nothing you can do about it and the worrying might make you poorly which will not help as your husband will need you. I have been there in the days of crippling uncertainty, convincing myself that I had found the right answer on Google, but the truth is only a proper medical analysis specific to your husband will get you to the right answer. I had a problem with low blood counts for about 8 months post-transplant and during all the scans, biopsies and tests I was convinced there was something very wrong. But it turned out to be that my body just needed time to get on top of what had happened to it. I had adenovirus which kept going and coming back which was really frustrating. It can definitely feel like 2 steps forward, 1 step back all the time (sometimes 1 step forward, 2 steps back) and it really messes with your head. I had immunoglobulins which really helped me knock the constant infections on the head. Is that something that could help your husband?
    Really hope you manage to get it sorted soon and please keep posting to see if any of us can help any more at this tough time.
    Greg
  • Hi TJM,

    I am sorry that you and your husband are continuing to have a difficult time.
    I have seen several patients in your position with exactly the same concerns, its completely normal to be worried about blood counts. Having an on going virus like CMV in the early phases after transplant takes it toll on a very immature immune system. Its trying to develop and all the while its having to battle CMV so naturally the blood counts will be affected. I think I have also said before that the treatment for CMV can also affect the blood counts so its like a double blow to the immune system.

    I think Gregg's experience is an example of this type of situation and unfortunately it can last a few months. You could mention Immunoglobulin's to the consultant and this will help his immune system fight infection but not everybody is eligible. The team will always check the BM, not just to check for relapse but also to ensure that all the cell lines are developing as they should, if they can see that nothing is wrong then they can assume that it is the virus that is causing the low counts. A drop in platelets is not a sign that the chimerism is dropping, they will be checking this on a separate blood test. I am sure if there was a concern with the chimerism then you would have been told, if the chimerism is good then the transplant is working and that's a positive. From what you have said it does really sound like it is the on going infection that is suppressing his counts.

    Of course you are not going to stop worrying until you get the BM results back, but you should be reassured by Greg and the patients that I have seen in the same position. Has your husband got a keyworker that you could both talk it through with? and maybe you both might need some psychological support? Its incredibly difficult trying to stay positive when progress is so slow and it might just help at this point in his recovery, maybe ask your transplant team and they can refer you. Its really tough but I am sure he will pick up soon.

    Keep us updated

    BW
    Hayley
  • Thank you so very much for your reply Greg and Hayley, it's great to have this contact and know there are others who have experienced this. I feel a bit guilty posting on here as I am not the patient but the carer, but for me it's reassuring chatting to others on here and also receiving your valuable knowledge Hayley. I think I might ask for some support when we at hospital on Monday, John takes it all in his stride but I just worry constantly. Thank you again for your responses and I will give an update when I have it!!
    Tracey X
  • Hi TJM,

    Please do not ever feel guilty about posting on this forum, this is what it is for. Transplant affects patients and families and we want and need you all to post to share and support one another. So continue to use it as much as you need.

    BW
    Hayley
  • TJMTJM
    edited February 2017
    More questions from me!!!! We have had some initial results back from Johns recent Bone marrow biopsy the second one since transplant, the first one showed 100% chimerisim that was in November, but today we saw a consultant we don't really know, and he started talking about T cells saying it was 97% donor but 92% in bone marrow no one has mentioned T cells before what exactly are they? And has anyone else experienced a reduction in the second biopsy! The consultant didn't appear concerned he has reduced Johns ciclosporin to try and get on top of the cmv virus which is always lurking about and John still on valganciclovir. We are back on Thursday to Freeman hospital, Newcastle ( our hospital for transplant etc) and hopefully we see one of the consultants we are more familiar with!! Any replies will be gratefully received
    Cheers, Tracey.
  • Hi Tracey,
    I am not an expert on the science unfortunately. Just wanted to let you know my chimerism was 100% at the first biopsy and then steadily slipped down to 85% (it is slowly beginning to go back up again now). I was told that it can often happen that chimerism goes up and down in the post-transplant phase. I was told they would only think about interventions (eg, a stem cell top up) when the chimerism drops below a certain level - and at 85% mine was still satisfactory so they didn't do anything. I am over a year post-transplant now and am still not near 100% although it is steadily moving back up again. You are definitely right to want to ask about this with your husband's medical team to see what their plans are because I think chimerism is important. But i just wanted to let you know that I had the same problem with falling chimerism around the same time as your husband is experiencing and it has started to improve again on its own, in case that provides any kind of reassurance.
    Wishing you all the very best,
    Greg
  • Hi Greg Thank you so much for replying, and it's reassuring to know your chimerisim didn't stay at 100% and now yours is on the way back up. When these things happen we always feel that it's just us it's happening to, so it's good to know you've experienced this and have come out the other side as you sound like you are overcoming all your obstacles and are getting there. To be honest I didn't like the consultant today he was extremely brisk and just rattled of these numbers and then ushered us out the door!! Hopefully on Thursday we will see one of the friendlier consultants as we not really sure what's happening!! Really appreciate your reply,and take care on your journey, no doubt I will be back on here at some later point!!!!
    Cheers, Tracey
  • HI Tracey,

    I just wanted to add to what Greg has said. It is normal for the chimerism to fluctuate slightly especially if his immune system has been fighting CMV for so long, its not worryingly low.

    We have a Anthony Nolan post transplant nurse specialist who works at the Freeman Hospital and I am sure she would be more than happy to have a chat with you both. It might help alleviate some of your concerns and it would be more helpful for you to have a local contact who can provide support. If you send me an email to the patient inbox patientinfo@anthonynolan.org with your details, I can pass them on and ask her to contact you.

    I hope the appointment today was more reassuring for you.

    Best wishes
    Hayley
  • Hello, yes we have seen a much better consultant since last week who explained things clearer to us.
    Yes Haley I will email you so you have our details I would appreciate speaking with the Anthony Nolan nurse at Freeman, Thank you for this
    Tracey xx
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