suddenly I'm bruising really easily?

[jaggythistle]

As title really.

I did have DC2 6 weeks ago and suffered a really bad cold, so am a bit sleepy and have crashed into a few door handles etc, but not to the extent that my arms and legs would have so many!

I'm going to have to wear long sleeves for the time being as it looks horrendous :(

Will prob go to the doc this week, but interested in what might be causing it.

Me too - I was meaning sleepy=clumsy=bruises - but not this many

will be on GP doorstep tomorrow morning...

yikes! sounds scary. :(

thanks again all.

no, don't panic, the vast majority of ITP is easily managed. My case was the kind that brings medical students out of the woodwork because its so rare.

I've no experience of gestational ITP but I suspect that it will either be monitored and not treated (depending on your levels) or you might be given a couple of steroid injections and monitored.

Knew umber

Yes I see a heomatology specialist regularly. He isn't concerned!!! In my case it is because of the horrendous medication I am on and this is just one of the many side effects.

Platelets,have been dropping rapidly over last month but not enough to have a transfusion, thankfully.

My condition/diagnosis was found in a basic FBC blood test

hi, went to doc and got blood taken. will get results tomorrow afternoon or later today if especially urgent. Doctor didn't say much, just looked most puzzled and went off to get nurse to take blood.

will let you know what i hear back. :)

My son had ITP when he was younger but wasn't a bleeder. His count was down at 3 at one stage but he still didn't get bleeding gums. He did bruise instantly though.

His haematologist just operated a watch and wait policy. He still gets the petechia on his ear lobes if he has a heavy cold but he seems to have grown out of it.

Congratulations on dc2. I have an under-active thyroid and am anemic, consequently am clumsy/lack concentration and bruise easily. Blood test via the GP highly recommended.

Teach me to read the full post: hope blood test results are back soon.

I bruise really easily because of a low platelet count. Doesn't affect me otherwise and no treatment, just having to explain the numerous bruises I get.

kew and toothbrush appear to have been right. :(

platelets at 15 so just a bit low! starting steroids today and seeing consultant about ITP on Friday.

thanks for all your help and prodding to go to gp. think he was a bit shocked to get a call from the lab!

yes 15 way too low to leave. Will probably respond nicely to steroids, thanks for letting us know.

Emandlu - I'm amazed that a count of 3 was considered "wait and see" perhaps its different for children - in an adult under 10 would be considered to be a medical emergency.

I'm not happy that you have ITP but very happy that we persuaded you to see a doctor sooner rather than later!

:) thanks again.

Kewcumber - We never received any treatment, though when his count was 3 we were asked to spend the night in the hospital so that they could keep an eye on him.
His count was up to 10 the following day and we were allowed home. Within a week it had bounced back up to the low side of normal. This was his pattern if you like. A sudden drop and bruising followed by a couple of weeks of waiting followed by a sudden rise again. Thankfully it hasn't happened for about 5 years now, but I still worry when he bruises.

It was like being on a roller coaster. Trying to keep a 2 year old from bumping themselves is quite a tricky task!

ah yes Ok - no treatment if only overnight and in hospital makes sense. Over 10 is considered to take you out of brain bleed territory. I think the majority of childrens ITP is considered to be acute rather than chronic isn;t it so 5 years on I think you can probably (try to!) relax.

But I know what you mean - one nose bleed or a particularly bad bruise and I do tend to panic a bit.

I'm a lot more relaxed now! He goes away with the cubs on camps and things, climbs trees, rides his bike etc
It's only when I see the bruises that I worry.

jaggy - how are you feeling?

ok thanks, impatient to get tomorrow's appointment over and see what's said! been given 40mg prednisolone to take till i see the consultant.

i seem to have 2 grumpy wee boys today, one down for a nap. hopefully he'll go to sleep ok! baby DS2 is a bit unsettled too, they must be having one of those days...

40mg a day in case that didn't make sense!

Same dose as me.

You have to wean off incredibly slowly - cannot stop suddenly. They will probably give you a card to show any other medical professional/dentist etc should it be needed. Expect to be on for a few months but hopefully your first blood test tomorrow will show an improvement in platelet numbers.

Dd2(17)'s platelet count was 9 four weeks ago. She was prescribed 60mg prednisolone. After a week the count was up to 30 and we have been back today and the count is 175 (hurray). We are stepping down on the steroids - 50mg for a week, then 40mg then back to the consultant in two weeks time. It's lovely to see her not bruised. I'm so ashamed that I didn't take her bruising seriously and put it down to horse-riding and other sports

Glad your treatment is under way.

thanks, will let you know how i get on. :)

I started on 150mg day one then 75 a day then gradually tapered down over 3 months and the ITP hasn't returned since.

Try not to put on too much weight - I ate like a horse!

seems good so far, count up >200 already so I'm to go to 30mg starting tomorrow. back for another blood test next week.

thanks again for all your advice.

baby DS2 is doing quite a good job of calorie removal, but I'm still keeping an eye on what I'm eating!