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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@marymanning I am so sorry that your daughter is going through this! It really is incredible. I hope this evening goes better. Please keep in touch.
She went in last night at 8:00 and we talked before we went to bed at 10:00 and she was in good spirits. She left us a message at 3:30 this morning saying that her blood pressure has gone super high so they have been dealing with that. She left this message this morning: 7:45am update, my blood pressure has come down a lot. I’ve gotten maybe two hours of sleep in between them coming in and doing vitals. Still having contractions but not really needing anything pain wise. I may be asleep at 9 when you get on so I’ll call or update you later. So, Mr. Ollie is taking his time. She was hopeful that labor would progress quickly, so we will see what happens today. Thank you for your concern.
So glad to hear from you about your daughter and little Ollie! Praying for the best!
It's 7:25 AM on Thursday and still no baby. She sent a message at 3:00 and one just 15 minutes ago. Here they are:
It’s 3:15am. I am only 5 cm dilated. The doctor just placed an internal monitor to accurately track my contractions and put some fluid back in for Oliver because he’s having some heart beat dips. My epidural is starting to not work. If he continues to have dips, they will have to shut off the pitocin and once they’ve shut off the pitocin, they can’t restart it. At that point, it would be a wait and see if I continue to have contractions or start looking at the possibility of a c section . At this point, I’m so exhausted, I am ready to be done.
7:15am update. I’ve been having hard labor since about 5:00am. The anesthesiologist is coming to give me something. Hoping it knocks me out. May not be awake when you get up at 9. Really don’t feel like talking.
Hello @marymanning,
Sorry to hear that your daughter is struggling in hard labor now. I can understand her comment that she is "ready to be done." Many of us have been through this but with her other health problems, I can understand how concerning this must be for all of you!
Will you post again and let us know of her progress?
I just sent this message to family and friends: Katie just called (9:30 AM Thursday) to tell me that the doctor has gone ahead and scheduled a C-section for her, since she remains at 5cm and Ollie's heartbeat has periods of slowing down. They've taken her off of the pitocin and said that it is good that she already has the epidural and a catheter in. They have put a nurse with her to monitor everything and are going to "fit her in" to deliveries this morning. They've let her know that she will probably be able to be with Ollie for about an hour before taking him into the NICU for assessment. I told her, "Poor little guy, he has been through so much, too," and she said "I know. He just hasn't dropped the way the wanted him to so we will be having a C-section."
She is really anxious about all of this, so please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
@marymanning I’ve been following your postings of your daughter and Ollie’s arduous journey though I haven’t posted. I’m sure this is the case with many of our members…we’re watching from the sidelines and holding our breath. Please know your daughter is in our thoughts and prayers, as are you! It’s so difficult being a parent and feeling helpless. Ollie and your daughter are both so strong and he’ll be arriving soon.
It was good to hear an update on Ollie and his mom. Be assured that we will keep them in our thoughts as this day progresses. And you, also. Becky
@marymanning,
Thanks for your post about the C-Section! I'm sure your daughter and Ollie are ready.
Ollie has arrived -- born by C-section because heart beat slowed -- born with a knot in his cord and he had a fever. Weighed in at 6 lbs. and 12 oz -- so good size. NICU doctor just told them he is doing perfect; no breathing issues; no outward signs of NAIT; his fever immediately dropped as soon as they got him into a shirt and new hat. Platelet count should be back within the hour at most and they are really happy with how he is doing. She is doing fine also -- very tired (and hungry -- hasn't eaten since 6:00 Tuesday night). The Lord has blessed us.