Really freaked out by GP

[BlueChewRoy]

I went to my GP about a load of red pinprick sized dots that have appeared on my chest/ legs. She said that she is sending a photo of the dots to the dermatology clinic. I asked her if she knew what was causing it and she said she had one idea but couldn’t be 100% sure. I asked what her idea was and she replied let’s wait to hear back from the clinic.
Her reply is making me more concerned. If it was something of nothing why would she not just tell me her suspicion? AIBU to think she should have told me her thoughts when I asked?

@Geekgirlmum

I have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and these sound like petechiae (pinprick bleeding under the skin). Lots of things can cause it. It might be an idea to have a blood test and check platelet count. ITP is controllable but depending on the platelet count might need treatment.

Ooh - another ITPer!

@thegcatsmother always good to meet another one, even virtually. I am on Romiplostim (NPlate). Was diagnosed during pregnancy 15 years ago, had a period of remission and then relapsed 6 years ago and have been on a range of treatments since. It's been quite a rollercoaster as I find the side effects really tough (fatigue, chronic pain, headaches etc). What about you, if you don't mind sharing?

Diagnosed during pregnancy almost 25 years ago. Was told the platelets would sort themselves after giving birth - they didn't. No meds (apart from pred prior to an op), and a count that veers between 19k and 32k, mostly about 32k for the last 3 years. It was 85k when first diagnosed, so something is making my count drop.

I get fatigue, and pain in my joints, but that could be the starts of arthritis as I am in my 50s. I don't drink much, perhaps a glass of wine twice a month. I bruise easily and have petechiae and some blood staining on my legs. I know my count is low when my feet start to look brown.

When I can go back to the doc here, I might ask for a referral to the hospital. I know they don't want to do anything til the count gets to

@thegcatsmother my lowest count was 4 which was terrifying and I was hospitalised when they got the result and had to have a platelet infusion and steroids. Then the haematologist put me on a succession of medications (Dapsone, micophenalate, immunoglobulin - which was truly awful) and now Romiplostim. Count is hovering between 20 and 50 but only with the Romiplostim (NPlate) injections weekly. Without them my count plummets. Yes, I think it would be wise to see someone about your count. Romiplostim is relatively new on the market and I know there are other new treatments too. I have to go for quarterly check-ups at the hospital (used to be weekly, then fortnightly, then monthly and now every 3 months).

@BlueChewRoy any update? Hope you’re less stressed.

@BlueChewRoy hope everything went ok.

@BlueChewRoy did you get to the bottom of this at all? Many thanks