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 High Platelet Count
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Barb390 Newbie  Posts: 4 |
posted 07-03-2003 07:10 PM
  
Hi, I'm new to the board today. I'm searching for information on high blood platelet count. Last week when I was in for my yearly checkup my doctor told me that my platelet count has been elevated for over a year. 6 months ago it was 490,000. Last week 424,000. I am being sent to a hematologist. I'm a bit concerned about this, because she mentioned problem with bone marrow as one possible cause. This all sounds a little scarey to me and I'm wondering if anyone else has delt with this and what was your experience? I'm a 56 year old female with history of thyroid cancer. I have high blood pressure which is controlled. And I've had a stroke that didn't do any permanent damage. I take a 81mg asprin every day. Thanks for responding. IP: Logged |
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Barb390 Newbie Posts: 4 |
posted 07-03-2003 07:11 PM
I should have added that the glands in my neck have been swollen for over a year with no obvious reason. IP: Logged |
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QuietStorm402000 Member Posts: 67 |
posted 07-04-2003 04:56 PM
My platlet counts are always high due to iron deficiency (currently almost 571,000.) There a many reasons for high platlets. Hopefully you'll get an answer from the hematologist but maybe not. I'm finally coming to understand that sometimes there isn't an answer. I've been seeing a hematologist for almost 3 years and he STILL doesn't know why I'm so iron deficient!! BUT, in the grand scheme of things it's just a pain in the ARM. I get IV iron to bring my levels up. The first time another patient asked me why I still had hair it put a whole LOT of things instantly into perpspective!!! IP: Logged |
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Sjniick Junior Member Posts: 20 |
posted 07-09-2003 09:36 PM
Hi Barb, My name is Sue, I am 46 yrs old. I have a disorder called Essential thrombocythemia, which in our terms means "a high platelet count without a known cause." I was freaking out when i found out, my platelets were at 970,000. That was a little over a year ago. Everything is ok right now, actually went for my monthly blood test today and my platelets were at 498,000. I have been seeing a hem/onc which is the term people with these types of disorders usually see. He is very throrough and I feel confident that he has my best interest at heart. Now, this doesn't mean this is what you have, just letting you know that there are resources on the web if you want to learn more. The umbrella which my platelet disorder falls under is, Myeloproliferative disorders. (my-elo-proliferative) there are some folks who have too many red cells and/or white. Oh, I also have swollen lymph nodes for no reason doc can find. So, try not to freak out. It's not as bad as it seems right now, although I know exactly how scared and nervous you are. I was there one year ago. Hang in, breathe and relax. Sue [This message has been edited by Sjniick (edited 07-10-2003).] IP: Logged |
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Barb390 Newbie Posts: 4 |
posted 07-15-2003 01:30 PM
Thanks to both of you for your responses. My appointment with the specialist is tomorrow and I'm curious to see what he has to say. Regarding the elevated blood platelets, I'm beginning to wonder if the constant pain that I am in from arthritis wouldn't thicken my blood? It seems to me that I heard somewhere that the body will thicken our blood if we are in pain, as tho we have been injured. I'm not sure about that tho. IP: Logged |
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Junebug1934 Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 08-04-2003 12:25 PM
Hi , I am new to this board.But wanted to respond to High blood platelets. i am female age 69.My platelets got up to 850. had to have bone marrow Test so had to go on hydroxyurea been two months am doing fine down to 395. You will be ok Barb. Would like to hear from you ------------------ IP: Logged |
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projapoti Senior Veteran  Posts: 505 |
posted 08-05-2003 01:06 AM
quote: It's actually the other way around, most probably. You may have had arthritis before, I'm not sure, but this essential thrombocythemia you have may have actually exacerbated the problem. Arthritis doesn't make your blood any "thicker" or "thinner"; however, elevated platelets can make your blood thicker which can cause pain in your joints...also, the elevated platelets mean that you are at an increased risk of forming blood clots, and tiny microscopic clots may also be making your arthritis worse. IP: Logged |
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Junebug1934 Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 08-07-2003 09:04 AM
Hi, Wanted to ask if any of you have had a rash .And just wanted to add that my bones hurt to.would love to hear from any of you. It is so good to have this board.Thanks IP: Logged |
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kris10w99 Newbie Posts: 4 |
posted 08-08-2003 12:12 PM
Typically having a high platelet count can increase chances of forming blood clots. There are such medications as Plavix that lower the number of platelets in our bloodstream. You might want to mention this to your doc. IP: Logged |
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Casey Belle Newbie Posts: 3 |
posted 08-08-2003 10:11 PM
Lots of doctors misdiagnosis patients as having ET when they really have PV. One of the best docs out there to explain it is named Spivak at Johns Hopkins. Do a web search for his articles. Bone pain is common. Itching, redness, rash are more common in PV or Systemic Mastocytosis which are also myeloproliferative disease. Both of these conditions often have high platelet counts and that is why they are misdiagnosed. The only "blood thinner" used for myeloproliferative disorders is aspirin. Those of us without a medical background would think otherwise but this is not the case. In fact there is no evidence even that aspirin will prevent a blood clot in myeloproliferative disease. It is given to treat microvascular complications such as Raynaud's (blue toes and fingers) and erythromelalgia (red burning hands and feet). There are many different chemical reactions that cause platelets to clump and the various blood thinners such as coumadin, plavix and aspirin all target different mechanisms. Aspirin is the only one that provides any benefit for this particular disease. That is not to say that someone with a myeloproliferative disease may not have another type of circulation problem in addition to the mpd. These drugs may help with those other conditions. Plavix does not reduce platelet counts, neither does aspirin, neither does coumadin, neither does heparin, neither does any "blood thinner." Period. Look it up. Educate yourselves. Barb, you have had a stroke already and have some other issues. You need expert diagnosis and treatment. There are excellent specialists at the Hutch. Please don't make the mistake of sticking with a doctor because you like him/her. Many people go to experts once a year and are taken care of in between by their local doctor. Elevated platelets are a common finding in Rheumatoid arthritis. They are connected. Platelets are involved in inflammation. If you have anemia and your doctor does not know why it is time to get a new doctor. Bet you have a nice big black mark on your butt. It goes away. Mine did. To all, please join the ACOR site. Your best help is learning as much as you can so you can make good choices. Don't assume doctors know best. Many don't. IP: Logged |
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joanel Junior Member Posts: 12 |
posted 08-24-2003 02:13 PM
I was diagnosed with Essential Thrombocytosis in April. My platelets were 745,000. I've been on medication since then. Can't find a cause. One week they will be up and one week they will be down. Can't find a happy medium. Last week I was hospitalized for four days because my right hand went numb. They did every test they could think of and didn't find anything other than the high platelets. Told me I had TIA's. It is scary. I'm thinking about going to Mayo Clinic for a work up. Hang in there. Get your blood results and keep track of them. Good Luck. Joan IP: Logged |
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Angela L. McCabe Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 09-05-2003 04:43 AM
Hi I also have a problem with high platelets. I received a test from my regular Doctor and it showed high platelets and high white blood cells so he sent me to a hemotologist and the platelets were high again 540,000 but the white blood cells were back in the normal range he took another test 2 weeks later that showed my platelets at 485,000 and white blood cells high again at 14.5. I am also Iron deficient and platelets didn't go down after taking iron. The hemotologist did a bone marrow biopsy. I am really scared about the results. I can't help but wonder if it could be nothing or if I really have something to worry about. Can someone tell me if I should definitely expect it to be some kind of cancer? I don't want to worry for no reason and yet I can't help but worry about it all the time. I also can't help but wonder if my platelets would be much higher if I wasn't taking so much Excedrin all the time for tension headaches if asprin brings the levels down. I get a headache any where from 1 to 6 times a week and have to take 3 excedrins to get rid of it. Occationally even that doesn't work. My Doctor said I have to wait 2 weeks for my results but the waiting is driving me nuts because I am so worried. I'd rather know something than nothing at all. Even if it is bad news. IP: Logged |
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joanel Junior Member Posts: 12 |
posted 09-05-2003 01:05 PM
I can understand that you are concerned. I was terrified that I had cancer. Hemotalogist says no. Did he give you medication? I'm taking hydrea. They are finally coming down. I was on agrylin but caused liver problems. Be sure to watch your test results. I had to tell the hemotalogist my liver tests were going up. Now they watch them. They are still high and have to go to a gastroentrologist next week. I was very healthy until this hit me. Now I wonder. Try not to think about it all the time. I'm there with you. J. IP: Logged |
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Angela L. McCabe Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 09-05-2003 07:30 PM
J Thank you so much for responding. It is nice to hear that there are other prognosis that aren't cancerous. They havn't given me any medications yet, except the iron. I guess they're waiting for the biopsy results. I'll try not to worry so much. I have to go back on Sept. 16 to find out the test results. What kind of liver problems are you having? Do you have symptoms or is it just showing up in tests? I hope everything works out well for you and that your test get back to normal. Thanks again, Angela IP: Logged |
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Putzpatch Junior Member Posts: 14 |
posted 10-06-2003 07:58 PM
Hi Barb, I also have high platelts 685. Dr says once they hit 700 I have to go on medication to slow the bone marrow down. I have Polycythemia Rubra Vera. At least they say I do, but I have no symptoms. O well Dr knows best I guess IP: Logged |
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cocoabarn Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 10-22-2003 05:26 PM
Hi all, I'm new to this healthboard, but I wanted to first thank you all for the information you have posted. At least I don't feel like I'm the only person in the world with a very elevated platelet count. I hope the information that I've found will be helpful to you. My brief background is this...I broke my arm on 12/25/02 and it never healed and it was decided that I needed to have a bone graft with a plate and screws to mend it. On 9/17/03 I had my pre op bloodwork done for surgery and my platelets were 1,002! (believe that). My doc was not alarmed because of the broken arm situation. My surgeon was a little worried, but didn't postpone the surgery. On 10/15/03 I went back and had the bloodwork done again and this time it was 1,290. I almost fell off the table! Now my doc was worried, because the break was fixed and what she thought was the reason for the elevation now could not be. I am otherwise, a healthy, 35 YO woman and this just didn't make sense to her as she has never known too many illnesses to "mask" themselves this well. While sitting and talking about the surgery, I told her that I stopped taking the pain medication the surgeon had prescribed and was taking Advil instead as it seemed to relieve the pain I had and did not make me sick. I was taking the max (8 a day). She was able to look online and found that Advil and Motrin are from the same family and Motrin, if taken in frequently over a long period of time, will elevate your platelets. What a relief! She did gave me Hydrea and I'll have my blood work done in 3 weeks. I still have an appointment to see an Oncologist to be on the safe side. I will let you know what we find out. Advil and Motrin are now off my list of purchases at the local drug store. IP: Logged |
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sjd Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 10-24-2003 04:43 PM
Casey Belle-or anyone else. What is the ACOR site? I have ET and am very interested in learning anything I can. Currently I continue to be stable with the help of agrylin. Diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago. Any help is appreciated. [This message has been edited by sjd (edited 10-24-2003).] IP: Logged |
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