Low Platelets - ITP - Blood and Blood Vessel Message Board

gail300 · 10-13-2008, 08:19 AM

Would someone with ITP help me out with the bleeding symtoms..I have been very fortunate in that my platelets have never dropped below 23 so have never experienced any nose bleeds or mouth blisters. My doctor told me that if my platelets ever do drop below 10 this bleeding can occur but he can't tell me how much bleeding is involved....He has only said to get myself to an emergency room asap so does this mean the blood is gushing out and cannot be controlled? I would think if I am checking my platelet count monthly and watching my bruising wouldn't I know if my platelets are dropping? Or does a sudden drop occur without any symptoms? I would appreciate some information if possible from ITP patients....thank you

midwest1 · 10-13-2008, 12:33 PM

Hi again, Gail. As I said before, I'm new to ITP. Although I'm not aware of having ever had a count lower than 23, I have had minor bleeding from my nose. I have had such bleeds at counts in the 40s. The blood doesn't run fast; it 'oozes' a little and forms dark clots. I don't notice it until my nostrils feel full, then the clots break loose when I blow. The bleeding stops fast. Only once did I have a blood blister in my mouth, after I bit the inside of my cheek. That was before diagnosis, and it startled me, because it had never happened before. I also have petechiae most of the time, many more on some days. On other days, I have to look hard to find any. I don't consider petechiae to be a major bleed, either, even when they're numerous. Also, my gums don't bleed from brushing.

Don't take me as an authority on this, but I don't consider these kinds of episodes to be emergencies. I have assumed that emergency-worthy episodes would be the kind that are alarming... large amounts of blood from the nose or rectum, or bleeding that won't stop. If I remember to, I'll ask my hematologist when I see him next. If you ask yours, I hope you'll report what he tells you so we'll both know.

depotlady64 · 10-14-2008, 07:22 PM

Go to pdsa.org for a ton of information about ITP. Especially visit their discussion boards.

gail300 · 10-15-2008, 05:34 AM

Thank you for this information. I feel much better now since I am leaving for Florida next week and it's a little scary when you're not in your own country. I saw my doctor yesterday and my count was 53 so he is okay with my departure. He did check inside my mouth for blisters but I have been very fortunate in that I have never had any blisters or nose bleeds. Of course I forgot to ask him about spontaneous bleeding because I was so excited that my count was so high...I have been bruising big time in the past weeks so I thought my count would be in the low 20's....thanks again !!!