I'm a little bit worried and was hoping for some feedback. I just got a call from my doctor's office (actually several calls) regarding my bloodwork. My platelets are 46 and stated underneath was ". . . count verified by examination of peripheral blood smear. Large platelets were observed. Decreased." Six weeks ago my platelets were 204.
My WBC 3.7 and Neutrophils (Absoolute) 1.5 are both low. Docs are not really worried about the low WBC as they have found that WBC's tend to go up and down with Lyme.
I have a very bad case of Bartonella-like organism, actually was told one of the worst they've seen. Also tested positive for lyme and babesia. Been in treatment about a year and a half now.
Also have about at least a dozen bruises and some rashes, mostly on arms and legs, but a couple on torso area that started about a week ago. Was on Rifampin and Azithromycin along with some supplements and vitamins, then about a month or so ago started ABart.
I was starting to feel really good, especially the past couple weeks it has been great. Have had some minor issues, but no big deal. But, due to the bruises and rashes, I called doc and wanted to stop A-Bart, which I did, but bruises and rashes still happened.
Docs are thinking it may be Rifampin and I was told to stop taking all meds when they received the results of my bloodwork today. And, to go have bloodwork retaken TODAY. They even called me around 5 PM to see if I went to have it done (that's what freaked me out a little bit) and said they would call me as soon as they get results back. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; I'm glad they are being vigilant and looking out for me. They are really good docs and I have no complaints with them at all.
The plan is to take weekly blood tests to see if the platelets come back up. If not, we will go from there, but hopefully they will come back up since I'm off everything now.
Just wondering if anyone else has been through this (probably many!) and if anyone has any suggestions or opinions.
Thanks!
Posts: 217 | From Earth | Registered: Feb 2010
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feelfit
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ummm, taking a shot in the dark here.....but it could have something to do with your immune system....
My dog has had this last Winter and now, again started with the bloody quarter sized bruises on his underside, yesterday.
the canine condition is called:immune mediated thrombocytopenia. My dogs platelets drop from the high range down to 7 for unknown reasons. He is otherwise healthy.
As you know, low platelets mean that blood is not clotting and therefore bleeds (bruises) appear beneath the skin.
It is not something to take lightly. I do not know if human conditions mimic that of canines or not, but my dogs platelets correct with prednisone in the acute stage.
Also, another thought, babesia is known to burst red blood cells...don't know if this could be a contributor or not, but certainly worth considering.
I have not had the drop in platelets, but have had the weird WBC and neutrophils- also weird lymphocyte counts throughout tx.
I hope that your numbers begin to climb with the discontinuation of medications..In any case, it is something to take very seriously. best!
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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Thank you SO much for taking the time to respond to my post. I really appreciate it. I was waiting last night until 11 PM, but when no one responded, I . . . well . . . nevermind.
I will be hearing from my doctor's office when results are back sometime today.
Crossing my fingers that they will come back up and nothing more will need to be done.
Again thank you. It's nice to know there are a couple of folks out there that care!
Hope you have a great day!
Posts: 217 | From Earth | Registered: Feb 2010
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Razzle
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posted
One reason my platelet counts drop is when I'm not getting enough fats in my diet. Apparently, fatty acids are needed when the body makes blood cells, including platelets.
Spleen sequestering can also cause a drop in platelet counts.
Suppressed bone marrow (where platelets are made) can also cause low platelet counts.
Ehrlichia/Anaplasma is another possible cause.
There are also autoimmune and other infectious causes of low platelets. Make sure you discuss this with your doctor - it is not something to ignore with how low your level is...
Take care,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Thanks, Razzele. Yes, the more I'm reading about it the more concerning it becomes.
I will definitely be keeping in touch with my doctor and will mention what you say.
Thanks again!
Posts: 217 | From Earth | Registered: Feb 2010
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Razzle
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posted
Vitamin K may help counter the bleeding/bruising.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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feelfit
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posted
rks-
please let us know what your counts are today and what kind of plan your doctor has for you if they have not gone up.
I know how alone and worried you feel...been there! Hang in there, I'm sure that things will correct one way or the other.....especially since you're feeling so good.
thinking of you Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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feelfit
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rks-
re-read your original post. You said you broke out with 'bruises and RASHES ' in my non-medical opinion, this sounds more like the result of an infection...just thoughts.
have you been tested for erlichia or anaplasma?
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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pamoisondelune
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posted
Green tea interferes with platelet formation.
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Hi - thanks for your replies! I was working yesterday so did not get a chance to log on.
The results from my bloodwork yesterday was a platelet count of 61, so though still low, it is a good sign, at least they are moving in the right direction.
I will be having another one on Monday and then every Monday after that until they come up to where they should be. Since the platelets showed an increase from the first one that is the plan for now. Of course, if things change that will change.
I was also told if over the weekend, I get anymore brusing or rashes or the bruises get bigger, feel really weak or dizzy, then I should go to the ER. My doc also gave me a cell phone number so I can reach them if anything else happens or I have anymore questions.
Also was told to be very careful that I do not cut myself.
I have always bruised easily and have had all kinds of different rashes on and off for years. I have not been tested for erlichia or anaplasma, but will mention that to my docs.
Green tea interferes with platelet formation? I've never heard of that and it does not sound good. I drink green tea almost daily and also take L-Theanine. Will have to research that a little bit - thanks for the mention.
I really appreciate the feedback from everyone!
Since I am in the area of the hurricanes, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back on later or not, but will try.
Thanks again! And, for all those in the hurricane areas - be safe!
Posts: 217 | From Earth | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
Green tea is a definite no go with low platelets. Try to stay calm , your platelet count is adequate and not in a very dangerous place although skydiving and scuba diving are not good choices right now. My son has had a count that fluctuates between 60 and 70 thousand for the past 8 years. It is likely that a hematologist is in your future to monitor your condition and to rule out possible causes. In son's case it turned out to be itp , low platelets without known cause. This determined after monitoring for 6 months and a bone marrow test. Lyme doc always felt it was related. It's important to realize that although scary, you are not in danger if your platelets are above 30 thousand. The itp association has some good information related to this.
Posts: 28 | From ri | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Low platelets can also be caused by babesia and rocky mountain spotted fever or any of the ricketssia diseases I think.
The bottom line is that if something you are taking (antibiotics or killing herbs) is going after an intracellular infection you could have a sudden drop in platelet count. It would mean that you are killing off the red blood cells faster than they can be replaced. This is more likely to happen in the initial acute phases of an infection (before treatment) or when an aggressive treatment is first started.
Bartonella or BLO is an intracellular infection -- before it was treated adequately it caused a low red blood count for hubby, but did not affect his platelets.
But he did have a big drop in platelets when doing aggressive babesia treatment this spring. They only dropped to 151 but a couple of weeks later they rebounded to 360 and then leveled off in the 225 or so range. Weekly monitoring is a good idea especially since your number went so low.
Be safe.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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CherylSue
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posted
bump up
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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gmb
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posted
I too get what I call spontaneous "bruises" most on thighs and arms, but occasionally on my torso. They range in size from a pencil eraser up to a quarter with varying color intensity.
My doc says its from babs killing off red blood cells. Since May the bruise marks have significanlty increased in occurance with some showing up every other day to multiple bruises in a single day. I take photos and document dates casue my mind is pretty fried these days.
WBC and RBC have both been below normal range and fluctuate back to acceptable
I'm on round 2 of mepron since last Feb and six weeks ago my LLMD double dose to 2 tsp twice a day, along with Zith and IV Rocephin.
I've heard that a lot of folks have had trouble taking the standard dose of Mepron. The only analogy I can relate to since increasing my dose is an old anti-drug TV commercial showing an egg (this is your brain) and then showing a frying pan with the egg dropped in (and this is your brain on drugs).
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