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How can I raise my platelet count? (With food)

Posted by denisem20 @denisem20, Mar 3, 2023

How can I help my husband raise his platelet count? He has highs and lows. Right now he’s at a low. He’s had treatments and they worked but just recently he started with petechiae again. I’m worried, he’s never had it on his feet and arms before. Now it’s basically all over. His doctor appointment is t till about another week or two.

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @denisem20 "Hello @loribmt, this is denisem20, my husband was diagnosed with ITP, he has diabetes type 1,..." + (show)
@denisem20

Hello @loribmt, this is denisem20, my husband was diagnosed with ITP, he has diabetes type 1, IDDM. He’s had the Ribuxm (I don’t resemble the spelling) treatment and prednisone. The doctor was able to see him and he was very low, 6000! The doctor thankfully immediately called in some prednisone. That has worked so far. He’s up at 91000. He’s still on prednisone as we speak. The only downfall is his glucose goes up really high. Even with diet it’s hard to control his glucose. This time around he’s also experiencing stomach discomfort and constipation. We have talked about splenectomy but we are worried because of his IDDM.

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Good morning, Denise. Prednisone is a wonder drug but it sure can have its drawbacks. Thankfully it brought your husband’s platelet level back for now. But you’re right it can really mess with the blood sugar levels. That’s always such a balancing act. Does your husband need to make adjustments to his insulin to compensate?

REPLY
1 reply
1deedee | @1deedee | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @denisem20 "Hello @loribmt, this is denisem20, my husband was diagnosed with ITP, he has diabetes type 1,..." + (show)
@denisem20

Hello @loribmt, this is denisem20, my husband was diagnosed with ITP, he has diabetes type 1, IDDM. He’s had the Ribuxm (I don’t resemble the spelling) treatment and prednisone. The doctor was able to see him and he was very low, 6000! The doctor thankfully immediately called in some prednisone. That has worked so far. He’s up at 91000. He’s still on prednisone as we speak. The only downfall is his glucose goes up really high. Even with diet it’s hard to control his glucose. This time around he’s also experiencing stomach discomfort and constipation. We have talked about splenectomy but we are worried because of his IDDM.

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Can I ask you what dosage of prednisone is he taking. Also did he have a platelet transfusion that didn’t raise his platelets. I have very low platelets as well but couldn’t tolerate the prednisone.

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1 reply
jmds66 | @jmds66 | Mar 25, 2023

His platelets may go up slowly on his own or I found B vitamins B12, I believe or B6 papaya enzyme. Avocados are some of the things I remember using vitamin D, leafy green vegetables, lots of salads really helped nuts sunflower seeds I hope some of these things helped.

REPLY
1 reply
auntkk | @auntkk | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @denisem20 "Hello @loribmt, this is denisem20, my husband was diagnosed with ITP, he has diabetes type 1,..." + (show)
@denisem20

Hello @loribmt, this is denisem20, my husband was diagnosed with ITP, he has diabetes type 1, IDDM. He’s had the Ribuxm (I don’t resemble the spelling) treatment and prednisone. The doctor was able to see him and he was very low, 6000! The doctor thankfully immediately called in some prednisone. That has worked so far. He’s up at 91000. He’s still on prednisone as we speak. The only downfall is his glucose goes up really high. Even with diet it’s hard to control his glucose. This time around he’s also experiencing stomach discomfort and constipation. We have talked about splenectomy but we are worried because of his IDDM.

Jump to this post

@denisem20
Denise, I just read your question about your husband's low platelets count. My husband is currently experiencing the same problem. Two wks ago, he took his 4th & last iv infusion of Rituximab. It helped "some," but didn't keep platelets steady. He is scheduled for bi-weekly blood tests & tomorrow is his scheduled blood draw. We will be anxiously awaiting the results. Dr says this is a result of a bad case of covid at the end of December 2022. He still is short breathed & tires so easily, plus coughs frequently. He is also diabetic type II. He's scheduled for a stress test soon. I hope to follow your info on here.

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1 reply
krisgopa1956 | @krisgopa1956 | Apr 8 4:38am
In reply to @auntkk "@denisem20 Denise, I just read your question about your husband's low platelets count. My husband is..." + (show)
@auntkk

@denisem20
Denise, I just read your question about your husband's low platelets count. My husband is currently experiencing the same problem. Two wks ago, he took his 4th & last iv infusion of Rituximab. It helped "some," but didn't keep platelets steady. He is scheduled for bi-weekly blood tests & tomorrow is his scheduled blood draw. We will be anxiously awaiting the results. Dr says this is a result of a bad case of covid at the end of December 2022. He still is short breathed & tires so easily, plus coughs frequently. He is also diabetic type II. He's scheduled for a stress test soon. I hope to follow your info on here.

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Even I had the same observation. Drop in platelets count has started only after COVID vaccinations and causing increased scarring of liver (Compensated Liver Cirrhosis). So, I stopped the vaccinations after second booster. Now my platelet levels are in the range of 120 (December 2024) whereas they used be in the range and even higher than 150 before the vaccination.

REPLY
krisgopa1956 | @krisgopa1956 | Apr 8 4:47am
In reply to @jmds66 "His platelets may go up slowly on his own or I found B vitamins B12, I..." + (show)
@jmds66

His platelets may go up slowly on his own or I found B vitamins B12, I believe or B6 papaya enzyme. Avocados are some of the things I remember using vitamin D, leafy green vegetables, lots of salads really helped nuts sunflower seeds I hope some of these things helped.

Jump to this post

Does anyone in this group found increase of Platelets after using the Papaya Leaf Extract capsules (Herbal Goodness)? Appreciate experience of others.

Right now, I am just trying Beets, Folate and B-12 per my doctor's advice. I am also trying Ginger and Turmeric (Curcumin), Omega Fatty Acids and NAC. I started consuming Lemon Juice with Green Tea every day to help fight inflammation of liver. Will share my experience after some blood work in my next visit.

In addition to this, I try to Pray and keep my peace of mind to accept what may come ahead as God's Plan for me.

REPLY
1 reply
spoolly | @spoolly | Apr 9 10:24am

My Mayo hematologist has told me numerous times that specific foods do not help my platelets and I simply need to each a healthy diet. I have been watch and wait with my CLL since 2008. Two years ago my platelets were trending down and approaching 100. We were starting to talk about treatments. I found on the internet a variety of foods that supposedly help your platelets. In particular I started putting riced cauliflower in my morning oatmeal. I use six heaping tablespoons of riced cauliflower. I also have just about every so called “super food” from the past 15 years in my oatmeal. flaxmeal, chia, cinnamon, bakers chocolate, turmeric, ginger, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, raisins, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, other fruits of the season. I actually like the flavor and do not really taste the cauliflower. Since then my platelets have moved between 110 and 130. My doctor, who I really respect, still tells that is not why my platelets have stayed acceptable. With that said I like it and figure why test fate. Best of luck to you!

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1 reply
sonieaml | @sonieaml | Apr 9 2:25pm

The Leukemia Research Foundation has a webinar coming up regarding nutrition and Leukemias…check their website for dates and times!

REPLY
suetex | @suetex | Apr 9 6:17pm
In reply to @krisgopa1956 "Does anyone in this group found increase of Platelets after using the Papaya Leaf Extract capsules..." + (show)
@krisgopa1956

Does anyone in this group found increase of Platelets after using the Papaya Leaf Extract capsules (Herbal Goodness)? Appreciate experience of others.

Right now, I am just trying Beets, Folate and B-12 per my doctor's advice. I am also trying Ginger and Turmeric (Curcumin), Omega Fatty Acids and NAC. I started consuming Lemon Juice with Green Tea every day to help fight inflammation of liver. Will share my experience after some blood work in my next visit.

In addition to this, I try to Pray and keep my peace of mind to accept what may come ahead as God's Plan for me.

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I promised to post after my small experiment with papaya leaf extract-and it did have several other things in it too. It is Papaya Complete by Pure Nutrition. My counts were 95, a week later, 100, took extract for 2 weeks, then tested at 96. So no gain ihere, but is the time period meaningful? One of the things it does have is 17 mgs of iron which keeps me from using my multi, which also has iron. So maybe I'll alternate? Still thinking about it......

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1 reply
denisem20 | @denisem20 | Apr 9 10:34pm
In reply to @loribmt "Good morning, Denise. Prednisone is a wonder drug but it sure can have its drawbacks. Thankfully..." + (show)
@loribmt

Good morning, Denise. Prednisone is a wonder drug but it sure can have its drawbacks. Thankfully it brought your husband’s platelet level back for now. But you’re right it can really mess with the blood sugar levels. That’s always such a balancing act. Does your husband need to make adjustments to his insulin to compensate?

Jump to this post

Sorry I am just now reading the message and getting back. He does make adjustments to his insulin pump. But there’s times at night it’ll be too high or too low. We haven’t found a middle ground. Thankfully he’s now just on Promacta. The amount changes according to how low he gets on his platelets.

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