Autoimmune disease and thrombocytopenia
Hello, I am reaching out to see if anyone else has experience with an autoimmune disease that includes thrombocytopenia. I’m 5’ 4” - 115 lbs and 56 years old. I’ve been an avid athlete all my life and eat a very well-balanced diet. At age 49 I had a heart attack. It seems my blood is either too thin or too thick and my trigger is a change in the weather or stress. I’ve never been able to tolerate birth-control/estrogen. I have three children. My hormones have reached havoc on me throughout the years. I have regular visits to the oncologist for bloodwork to Monitor my platelet count. I believe my father now passed on at age 92 had an autoimmune disease. I wish to discover more for my children and what more I can do as I age. One of my daughters has epilepsy. We finally better understand my issues and how to treat and I’m happy to say I’m extremely healthy and feel terrific.
Is there any new information on auto immune disease and thrombocytopenia and what I need to do to manage my health as I age?
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@peach414144 I don't have an answer for you. I think the only way to know is to try and make an appointment. I did find an older article under Mayo Clinic Proceedings from 1995 that is interesting but way over my head in understanding.
27-Year-Old Woman With Pancytopenias -- https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)64288-2/fulltext
Thank you, great advice!
Thank you for taking your time to research and send additional information. I will definitely review the links you have included.
I had a bone morrow biopsy done 25 years ago related to a concern about leukemia, but no molecular panel done to my knowledge. I am not certain what that involves but I will discuss with my doctor next time. Thank you.
@peach414144 I'm so sorry peach I hope you can find some answers
don't know if this will help but here is my input: I have pancytopenia, also was a competition swimmer in high school. Cholesterol is always good, am on three medications for the heart but at age 82 I guess it can be expected. What is worrying me very, very immensely is the fact I am going blind from (I guess) the pancytopenia. Think that possibly a bone marrow graft may help the vision loss. Need help on this from somewhere. Where? TThe possibilty of blindness is terrifying. I have vision loss now. Am crying and praying.
@peach414144 I know it can be terrifying to focus on the possibility of blindness. I wished I had a magic answer for you. Have you discussed your thoughts and feelings with your doctor? Is there a possibility of getting a second opinion from a different eye doctor? There can be many causes for vision loss. VisionAware.Org has some good information that may provide some ideas or help for you.
https://www.visionaware.org/info/your-eye-condition/eye-health/symptoms-of-vision-problems/125
Thank you John but I have seen three opthamalagist's and they all concur.
My daughter has been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia and is in her 34th week of pregnancy. She is receiving weekly IV treatments, but last night developed high blood pressure, was extremely hot, and ended up at the ER. They released her at 4:00 this morning. None of the OB/GYN doctors caring for her have ever cared for a patient with this, so can you tell me how much of a concern this new condition is? They plan to induce labor on the 28th when her son is at 37 weeks. Thank you.
Hello @marymanning and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry to hear of your daughters diagnosis coming up during her pregnancy. You said that she is being treated with weekly IV treatments. What is in the IV?
Were her initial symptoms nose bleeds? I read where this disorder can happen if there is a family history. Are there others in your family who have had this as well?