Connect
← Return to Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): What helps?
Discussion
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): What helps?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Nov 8 4:14pm | Replies (166)Comment receiving replies
Pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia
All I really know is I found the diagnosis in my s/o’s medical file after he just had a recent injury and surgery to his hand. I’m in unfamiliar territory and I like to be some what familiar with what’s going on and what can be done as well as how serious this is for him. Any insight or experience would be great appreciated. A little history….he was a chronic alcoholic for all his life up until five years ago. His file said he had aplastic anemia, thrombotopenia and Pancytopenia. He also
Has cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism, a fatty liver, alcoholic neuropathy as well as many other I believe non relevant diagnosis’.
How did this happen what caused it or how do we find out. I see it says some medicines could cause it. He takes high blood pressure pills, diuretics, pain meds as he also needs a new hip, photonics, amd recently quit taking kratom only Taken for a short period of time.
I want to be familiar with these things so when we go in to the Dr he doesn’t lose me in big words and unfamiliarities. I want to be able to help if there are otc meds he can take or not take as well as foods etc he may need. He’s a vigilant exercise workout person so that’s covered. He’s always constantly
Drinking down bottle after bottle
Of water and has to pee constantly. A trip
To Walmart consist of at least three trips to the bathroom. He’s a godly man
And I know when I bring this up he’s
Gonna tell me to give it to
God but I can’t help but to
Want to do something if at all
Possible. How likely is it that he would start bleeding due to
Low blood cells or platelets. Would he know or would it be internally. What do we look for. He works in a tire shop
And is alway injuring his hands etc.
Thank you all for letting me vent and for any help you
May have to offer.
Replies to "Pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia All I really know is I found the diagnosis in my s/o’s medical..."
@darlas1967, your significant other is facing a number of health issues at this time. I know you’re looking for answers but I need to reiterate, members in this forum are not able to diagnose ailments or offer treatments for other members. We can use our experiences to help you find some answers or guidance however.
Anytime someone is facing a new health crisis they’re met with unfamiliar medical terms and it’s difficult to know what they all mean. I know you want to be familiar with what your friend is dealing with, how he came to be in this state of health and how you can help him.
Those are questions for his doctors to answer. At this point all you have are terms but you don’t know the stages of any of the conditions he is facing. That will determine the treatment options for him.
The most recent discovery for you was his being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, Thrombocytopenia and Pancytopenia. Those 3 conditions point to a malfunction in his bone marrow; The blood manufacturing site and the heart of the immune system. That can leave him more prone to infections and bleeding.
Pancytopenia, from the information I provided to you in an earlier answer, is the decrease in all of the blood products crucial to his health. Not only are his disease fighting white blood counts low, but also his red blood cells and platelets. So he should be cautious on his job, avoiding injury because the low platelets can cause him to have bleeding internally or from cuts or contusions,. He will also need to avoid infections or being exposed to illnesses such as Covid and flu.
Help your friend keep track of any new symptoms he develops such as fatigue, fevers, swollen lymph nodes, bleed from nosebleeds, etc. Maybe jot these things in a diary.
Once he has a doctor’s appointment, go along with him and take notes. Then you’ll be able to ask questions on the terms being tossed out to you. If you don’t understand just ask for clarification at the time. Keep asking questions until you are comfortable with the answer.
I had a very serious blood cancer and a bone marrow transplant. Believe me, my husband and I went into both situations very unfamiliar with the terms and complexities of the disease. My doctors were all happy to answer our zillions of questions and actually relieved that we were indeed asking questions.
You might find this discussion in the forum helpful: How to get off to the best start with a new specialist. There’s a nice video attached from our Mayo Clinic site:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/
Finding a cause isn’t always easy. It could have something to do with his previous life style choices or not. But at this time, it’s no longer relevant. This is a new beginning point and you go forward from there. Please keep me posted on his condition and don’t hesitate to ask questions here too! 😊
Is he currently being treated for his liver conditions and anemia?
@lori, volunteer mentor thank you for replying. I understand what you are saying I’m just a little frantic and impatient. But you have good ideas I need a notebook with Q&A stuff in it.
No he is not being treated for any of that. I don’t think if has even been discussed but this next appointment I’m going with him and I have already emailed the doctor with
Some questions about his blood work etc. so he should be prepared when we show up on Tuesday. I’ll do my best to keep you informed I’m unfamiliar with this page amd am learning how to navigate it. I’m sure I’ll be posting more even if to
Just vent or maybe to relate with someone else’s trials and tribulations. Thank you again
Connect
He also has alcoholic hepatitis if that helps.