Low platelets!!!! Arghhhhh

[Babee_Bugs]

So my booking in platelets were a nearly borderline 157.... See consultant and he's concerned they have dropped due to my symptoms, blood test at 22+6days says there are now 117 ...

I feel absolutely gutted.... With my daughter at 36weeks there were 100!!!

I have to have a C-Section and I was told with my daughter that If there dropped to 80 or lower I would have to be knocked out... Can't help but think that's the way I'm heading right now....

Consultant said he wanted me back at 34weeks to review my bloods when he took the last lot and reused to book my section in till we meet again at 34weeks...

Anyone else in the same boat? I feel so lonely and emotional

 

[Kerrie-x]

You'd be knocked out if they're below 80?

Mine are now 63. Never been over 110. They're not concerned if they stay stable and above 50 as thats the only time that there is a risk. I had a c-section with my daughter 3.5 years ago, my platelets were 73, everything was perfectly fine (I was awake, had a spinal block)

Sounds a little harsh scaring you when your platelets are over 100. If they were so concerned, you'd be having weekly bloods like I have to. Mine have varied from 93 to 61 since I was 8 weeks pregnant.

Don't worry, 117 is NOT that bad. No, its not ideal but its not something to panic about.

Have they referred you to hematology to put a plan into place? I seen them last week, and all they said was they will do weekly checks to ensure they don't go over 50 and if needs be i'll get a platelet transfusion which, in 99% on people they resolve the problem and they go on to have which ever is their preferred birth.

Your consultant is clearly very uneducated on low platelets to be scaring you like this. If he has not referred you to hematology then I recommend you asking him to do so and I assure you, they will not panic and they will make sure you're mind is put to ease.

I've lived with low platelets for 6 years, so please ask any questions you wish. Just please don't panic unnecessarily x

 

[Kerrie-x]

And another thing, Platelets vary so much day to day. Back in feb mine were 66 one day, 98 the next. x

 

[Babee_Bugs]

Thank you for replying to me....

I forgot to mention that I can't have a natural labour due to me having a ruptured brain aneurysm and it's coiled. I need my blood to be normal and clot so that I don't bleed on my brain again...

I've got to see midwife on Thursday to discuss the bloods with her etc.... So not sure what the plan of action is from now till 34weeks... (Think that's what getting to me, that I just don't know what's happening till then).

Normally there book my section at my 24week appointment and then I go back for MRSA tests, bloods etc before the section.

This time him and another consultant refused to book the section in then and insisted that I had my bloods took there and then, to see midwife to discuss results and then make sure before I see consultant again at 34weeks I have bloods took a few days beforehand so there have results then.

He didn't really specify or Go into details of the what ifs....

But yesterday was just one of those days, I also had my diabetes test and felt pretty crap

When I had a meeting with anaesthetist whilst having my daughter he said that he would only perform a spinal if my platelets stayed above 80... Thankfully on the day of my section it was 93 phew... But my section got brought forward a week earlier at 38 rather than 39...

And today for no reason at all I've had a nose bleed!? Can't remember for the life of me when the last time that was :/

 

[k4th]

Babee - don't panic!

I've been told the same as you. I've had low platelets for 2 years & if I need a section & my count is less than 80 I'll have to have a general. But - you can have treatment. I'm 35 weeks now, having weekly blood tests & if my counts start to drop they're going to put me on steroids temporarily. That should raise them quickly. & if not, there are alternative treatments in pregnancy to get your counts up.

If you've had a nose bleed go & get a blood test at the drs. It's probably nothing - but living with low platelets I know the numbers don't matter too much - but it's always worth checking out bleeding & bruising symptoms.

 

[IsabellaJayne]

Mine fell below 80 in labour with my DD and I was knocked out for a c-section. I'm going for a VBACthis time but if a section is needed again and my platelets are low again I'll be knocked out again. I have an appt with Anaesthetist in a few months. So I'll know for sure but consultant is certain it will happen again if they do drop. It's to stop internal bleeding possibly caused by an injection into your spine. Last place you want internal bleeding is there. Just the safest option

 

[IsabellaJayne]

I was refused an epidural also due to this

 

[k4th]

When I'm admitted they will do a platelet count and I will also be refused an epidural if counts are below 80. Like you say isabellajayne - they don't want uncontrolled bleeding in your spine. You should still be offered some treatment - do you ladies who only have this in pregnancy see a haematologist as well as an obstetrician/anaesthetist?? I only ask because I have two brilliant haematologists & if my counts start dropping in a downward trend over the next few weeks, I'm straight on treatment to keep my birth options open.

Isabellajayne - I see you're in lancashire too where are you planning to deliver? I'm at preston & although they don't usually offer remifentanil as pain relief there, the anaesthetist has offered it to me as an alternative to epidural. It's just a drip type thing in your arm. Might be worth considering before your appointment in case you want to discuss it?

 

[IsabellaJayne]

When I'm admitted they will do a platelet count and I will also be refused an epidural if counts are below 80. Like you say isabellajayne - they don't want uncontrolled bleeding in your spine. You should still be offered some treatment - do you ladies who only have this in pregnancy see a haematologist as well as an obstetrician/anaesthetist?? I only ask because I have two brilliant haematologists & if my counts start dropping in a downward trend over the next few weeks, I'm straight on treatment to keep my birth options open.

Isabellajayne - I see you're in lancashire too where are you planning to deliver? I'm at preston & although they don't usually offer remifentanil as pain relief there, the anaesthetist has offered it to me as an alternative to epidural. It's just a drip type thing in your arm. Might be worth considering before your appointment in case you want to discuss it?

Preston also hun. Had my last baby there. I have a blood clotting disorder but don't have a hematologist for some reason. I will definitely ask the anaesthetist about that. Seems perfect for me as I struggled through labour with just gas and air. I'm really hoping I get my VBAC this time. I may ask for medication also just incase it does end in a EMCS thank you so much

 

[Babee_Bugs]

i had some more bloods taken 2 weeks ago and my levels are still dropping

2weeks ago at 28 there were 102 with iron levels at 11 down from 14 :/ Ive had several nosebleeds, gum bleeds and bleeds from little cuts/scrapes taking ages to stop...

My appetite is close to non-existent! i feel like i have to force myself to eat as obviously not eating is not an option when your trying to grow a little human. my mood is all over the place and I'm so exhausted my sleep patterns are all over the place.

Im having my bloods re-taken via my GP tomorrow as my midwife is totally useless and not taking me and my health seriously. She was suppose to ring me and let me know my levels, but for 2 weeks I've tried and better tried to get hold of her with no joy, so I've had to turn to my doctors surgery for help.

Im soo worried and concerned for my Coiled Brain Aneurysm that i have... doesn't help that I've had a horrid headache all day and my heart feels like its racing

 

[k4th]

i had some more bloods taken 2 weeks ago and my levels are still dropping

2weeks ago at 28 there were 102 with iron levels at 11 down from 14 :/ Ive had several nosebleeds, gum bleeds and bleeds from little cuts/scrapes taking ages to stop...

My appetite is close to non-existent! i feel like i have to force myself to eat as obviously not eating is not an option when your trying to grow a little human. my mood is all over the place and I'm so exhausted my sleep patterns are all over the place.

Im having my bloods re-taken via my GP tomorrow as my midwife is totally useless and not taking me and my health seriously. She was suppose to ring me and let me know my levels, but for 2 weeks I've tried and better tried to get hold of her with no joy, so I've had to turn to my doctors surgery for help.

Im soo worried and concerned for my Coiled Brain Aneurysm that i have... doesn't help that I've had a horrid headache all day and my heart feels like its racing

Keep at the midwife, gp or whoever will listen to get your bloods done regularly (I was 2 weekly at that point).

Appetite doesn't have much of a link with platelets - but anxiety does hun Try to eat things you enjoy.

Just to add: I had my baby last night. My count was 89. His is 92 (but is expected to rise now he's out). I would have been fine to have an epidural at that number - if we'd been at the hospital in time

Good luck!!