Re: Can you help me here? 2nd try

[Guest guest]

> The way they measure platelets at our cancer center seems to be by

using

> units 1-200

> for example rather than 1,000-200,000 Currently Phil is at 145 not

bad but

> the last 3 weeks he's been:

> 1/7 200

> 1/14 120

> 1/21 145

>

> The onc. said this is due to the chemo.

> Is there any other reason I should be cautious of.

> what action should I take now to help the platelets stay up

> The nurse did say under 100 is when they worry and under 30 is the

danger

> point.

>

> I know this is a sensitive subject right now but could any one help

here?

> Bless You

> Narice

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Narice,

I've been doing some research on the same subject since my Mom's

platelets are low due to chemo. She had to skip a treatment 3 weeks

ago since they were at 86 but after being off a week then went back

to 120. This week they were at 76 and her doctor lowered her chemo

dosage instead of skipping a treatment. I don't believe there is an

effective medication that helps raise the platelet count (but I'm

still looking).

It seems just being off chemo for a short period can help. Below is

some information regarding low platelets. I hope it helps.

Kat

Thrombocytopenia

Provided by CancerConsultants

What is Thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia refers to the presence of abnormally low levels of

platelets in the circulating blood. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are a

specific kind of blood cell that prevent bleeding. The most common

reason that cancer patients experience thrombocytopenia is as a side

effect of chemotherapy. When chemotherapy affects bone marrow, the

body's ability to produce platelets, the body's chief defense against

bleeding, is diminished. Platelets normally rush to the site of an

injury and work with other blood factors to from a blood clot.

Normally, there are billions of platelets in the blood; however

certain chemotherapy drugs can lower the platelet count. The fewer

platelets an individual has in his/her blood and the longer he/she

remains without enough of them, the more susceptible he/she is to

bleeding.

Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia typically occurs 6-10 days

following administration of the chemotherapy drugs and continues for

several days before platelets recover to an appropriate level.

Infrequently, cancer patients may also experience thrombocytopenia

from other medications or as a consequence of their underlying

cancer. When discussing the consequences and management of

thrombocytopenia, it is important to distinguish between chemotherapy-

induced thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopenia resulting from other

causes.

The type and dose of chemotherapy also has an effect on how low the

platelet count drops and how long it will take to recover. While

receiving chemotherapy, a patient's blood may be tested frequently to

make sure he/she has enough platelets. Thrombocytopenia, or " low

platelets " , are terms used to describe a low platelet level in the

blood. Fortunately, having a low level of platelets can be corrected

for many patients.

Why is Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia Important?

When patients experience thrombocytopenia following administration of

chemotherapy, they are at risk of certain side effects. Specifically,

the fewer platelets in the blood and the longer a patient remains

without enough platelets, the more susceptible he/she is to

experiencing bleeding. Thrombocytopenia confers a risk of bleeding

and the magnitude of risk is closely correlated with the severity and

duration of thrombocytopenia. As the platelet count falls below

20,000-50,000; 10,000-20,000; and less than 10,000 cells/µl, the

frequency of life-threatening bleeding rises steeply from

approximately 5-6% to 10% and 20-40%, respectively. Patients

developing thrombocytopenia require treatment with platelet

transfusions and occasionally, admission to the hospital, until the

platelets return to sufficient levels in the blood to prevent

bleeding.

-- In colon_cancer_support , " flipper759 "

<flipper759@a...> wrote:

>

> > The way they measure platelets at our cancer center seems to be

by

> using

> > units 1-200

> > for example rather than 1,000-200,000 Currently Phil is at 145

not

> bad but

> > the last 3 weeks he's been:

> > 1/7 200

> > 1/14 120

> > 1/21 145

> >

> > The onc. said this is due to the chemo.

> > Is there any other reason I should be cautious of.

> > what action should I take now to help the platelets stay up

> > The nurse did say under 100 is when they worry and under 30 is

the

> danger

> > point.

> >

> > I know this is a sensitive subject right now but could any one

help

> here?

> > Bless You

> > Narice

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you