Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): What helps?

Also I have gone back through his files I’m not finding the aplastic anemia just chronic anemia, Pancytopenia, and Thrombcytopenia with the cirrhosis, hepatitis, and esophagus varies at one time with the past epistaxis and the hematemesis (in the past) and of course the continued low blood counts.

Hi Lori I just thought I’d let you know that we saw his pcp yesterday. He had a follow up
Scheduled for his hand injury so I made sure he new ahead of time that I had some questions about his blood work etc. he addressed the hand issue and then ask about my questions and I told him I was concerned about his blood counts being low for so long and my discovery of these blood disorders and what we needed to do if anything as far as preventatives etc. He said yes his blood levels did drop more than usual Do to his hand injury but came back up to what is basicly
His new normal. He said even though the blood work is low that’s to be expected with the cirrhosis ( his health issues). But they have been stable for quite some time. Should anything change he would most defiantly be in touch with a plan. So I guess low wbc,rbc,hemoglobin,hemocrit, and platelets are normal for someone with his health issues. He didn’t seem concerned nor did he go into detail about anything else. I don’t know if that’s normal or not. I guess I just think that there should be preventative things like taking certain vitamins, eating more of certain foods than others. But this is the stuff I was reading back when I was googling for Information on these disorders. I don’t want to seem like I’m looking for problems or that I’m over reacting but does this sound correct to you? Any input would be greatly
Appreciated. Do you
Think we should just enjoy
Life and not be concerned unless something changes and requires us to react then?

Darla, you’re doing just great! ☺️ The easiest way to make sure I see your replies or get notifications are to post your comments in the little black box that says Reply (not the blue comment box) when you’re answering something I’ve posted.
But I’ll be on the lookout for you anyway. So no worries.

Just to forewarn you, the world of medicine can turn slowly. So being frustrated when you want immediate answers is going to lead to more stress. 🙃 But you are on the right path to finding answers and getting the best treatment for your partner. The notebook will help keep track of appointments, symptoms, tests, treatment plans and vocabulary. Post it notes are great too for adding things to pages.
Venting and questions are welcomed here anytime! When you know more, I can help link you up with other members who are sharing the same conditions with your significant other. It helps to share with others going along the same journey.
Good luck with the appointment on Tuesday and I’ll be here if you need anything.

@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

@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?

He also has alcoholic hepatitis if that helps.

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.

Good morning, @darlas1967. You and your S/O have a lot going on right now with your hip surgery coming up. I hope his hand is healing now. That had to be scary! If he has Pancytopenia that can explain the severity of his infection because that’s a condition where all of his blood numbers have dropped, compromising his immune system.

There can be a number of causes for that condition, along with the thrombocytopenia. If his doctor hasn’t already requested another appointment, considering the mention of Thrombocytopenia and Pancytopenia in his medical records, I’d suggest getting your friend back in to his Primary Care Provider to have further blood work done.

And if I may, for you, try to avoid Dr Google. That tends to lead us down rabbit holes and fills us with anxiety for the possibilities that might not be relevant. 🙃

I’ve posted a few articles below that helps to explain the diseases you’ve mentioned. But again, until there is further testing all of this is only speculation.
Thrombocytopenia
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378293
~~
https://www.healthline.com/health/pancytopenia
~~
https://www.primehealthchannel.com/pancytopenia-definition-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment.html#:~:text=Medical%20experts%20define%20Pancytopenia%20as%20a%20health%20condition,diseases%20that%20are%20marked%20by%20blood%20cell%20reduction.
~~
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351487
Are you able to accompany your friend to his appointments?

My S/O is diagnosed with thrombocytopenia and Pancytopenia. I just found this out after reviewing his medical records from his recent stay at the hospital for an infected hand (fight bite). I see his RBC and WBC and platelets as well as hemoglobin are all low. He was a terrible alcoholic for many many years. I saw that as a possible reason somewhere. He has cirrhosis of the liver also. What could have caused this and how should i treat it.?The doctor never told us anything about these two symptoms/diseases. Any knowledge and insight would be helpful. I read somewhere that he could have lupus, Lukemia, bone marrow issues amd a number of other cancers and what not. How do
I proceed from here ground zero.

Thank you!