Possible Leukemia...low platelet count - Leukemia Message Board

suzieq111 · 09-14-2005, 08:27 AM

Hi...I am new here and have a question about Leukemia. I have Systemic Lupus and have always had a low platelet count (around 100,00) and it has been that way for many years(under control without Prednisone)...ok, long story short..3 weeks ago I went for my routine check-up and they discovered a platelet count of 11,000 and I was sent to the hospital immediately. I received 2 rounds of platelets and they pumped me with Prednisone...it took 3 days to get the count back up over 100,000...I was taking 60 mg Pred when I went for a CBC and the count had dropped from 143,000 to 92,000...Dr. said ok drop Pred. to 40 mg and a week later the count dropped to 55,000. I am now scheduled to see the Hematologist tomorrow. They think this is all unrelated to the Lupus. Symptoms I have had easy bruising, cuts take long to heal, severe joint pain(swelling) swollen lymph nodes in groin, under arm, neck, very tired, break out in hives a lot and most of these symptoms developed within a couple of months. So, does this sound like Leukemia? It worries me because I have remained very active, even with my Lupus and this came on so suddenly. Any help, or info is helpful!

ryu1977 · 09-15-2005, 08:58 AM

Did they find blast/immature WBC during your Platelet Count test? If no, there is hope that you don't have Leukemia. The exact diagnose is by bone marrow biopsy, but commonly Leukemia is signed with blast cells in CBC w/diff test.

I wish your blood disorder is only Lupus related and not cancerous. However, Leukemia can be cured now and some types of Leukemia has good prognosis.

Some type of Lupus such as Lupus Anticoagulant/Erhytemateous (sp?) commonly attacks platelets and could decrease platelet counts.

Your hematologist will help you to determine your problem.

I wish you healthy days.