4 replies to this topic

[Tedsey]

What could cause a 60% drop in PLT suddenly?  For the last 9 months my PLT looked to be recovering.  They hit a high a bit above 100,000.

 

I have been on a TKI for almost 6 years and have always had pancytopenia and esp. issues with low PLT, but the PLT looked to be recovering.  What could cause this downfall?  Has anyone experienced this after "long-term" TKI use?

 

Ironically, my recent CBC was normal for everything except PLT.

 

The hem/onc seems to think it is not the CML (she is not a CML specialist).  But could it be?  We are waiting on the PCR.  She thinks worse case is that my body is developing antibodies against my PLT.  Could this be due to the dasatinib?

 

Any ideas?  I am going back again next month for another CBC.  I have a check up tomorrow and am sure they will do bloods.  We shall see how the blood looks...  Not looking forward to explaining after the shock that my new PCP will have over my counts.  Ugh!  This all gets so old.  I am getting so tired of waiting for a cure and trying everything in my power to stay healthy.

 

Has anyone had this and has it been nothing?

 

Thanks,

Teds

[Trey]

Maybe your spleen is just messing with you.  Or maybe it is related to the time of the month.  Or maybe the PLT portion of the CBC was in error (certainly possible since they are hard to count).  Wait and see what the repeat CBC test shows. 

[kat73]

Tedsey - I'm at about 6 years also, and I, too, have always had pancytopenia.  Over time and on Sprycel (after no improvement in this regard on two years of Gleevec) they slowly have come up to the high end of abnormal/low end of normal.  But, the WBC number periodically goes low inexplicably and, more to your question, the platelets do too.  I can usually come in around 100-150, but often they get down to 90 or even 80 once - for absolutely no reason that anyone can see.  My oncologist has told me, about platelets and other wacky numbers I get sometimes, that in the context of cancer patients, these are just fine.  He has also shared with me the numbers (high and low) where he WOULD get concerned, and that helps calm me down because they are so far off from mine.  I'm sorry your onc sowed the seed of anxiety with that antibody remark.  Mine always takes me seriously, but then says "nah" when I ask, do I have anything to worry about here?  So, I've sort of learned to not care so much anymore.  They're all just always going to be "wrong" in terms of normal, healthy 25 yr-olds, but as for the rest of us here?  Just fine.  Hope this helps.  I know the feeling of rooting for the numbers to trend right, and then boom, they crash.  Hope your next test will show improvement.   

[Lucas]

tedsey, many things can cause a drop in plt. before cml a had 2 drops in plt: one because of a virus (my platelets were 80K that time) and another one when i took a medicine (i don't remember what). Also if you were exposed to some pesticides, even the light ones, it could cause a drop in your plts. Wait 15 days and try to have another cbc. good luck!

[CallMeLucky]

Just when you start to fell safe, right? A number of things could lower it, it could be an error or they are going down again with a good chance they will go back up. Did you by any chance take any Tylenol? My platelets have always been in normal range except once in 5 years and that was a CBC after taking Tylenol for a couple of days. Many other drugs can mess with them too. You know you just hved to wait for a follow up test.
We'll be thinking about you in mean time.