platelets dropping - what does it mean?

[Pam P]

Last week I couldn't start the navelbine because my platelets were 89 and that was 2 weeks after my last chemo of taxol/carbo. After 2 weeks off my platelets have always bounced back to way over 100. This week, now 3 weeks with no chemo, my platelets were even lower: 87. I got the chemo anyway, but I think only because the nurse missed it (I think my onc. order says it has to be at least 90). I have a cold and asked if that could affect platelets although colds haven't affected it in the past. The nurse said no. I asked what could - other than chemo - & she said that would be a question for the doctor. If the cancer is out of control could that make the platelets go down?

The research nurse spoke to me & said she searched & there was no trial that I fit into. She & the other nurses seemed to have an attitude that my latest scans, tumor markers results, and move to return to navelbine were all very bad signs - although they were careful not to come out & say that. And I asked if it was true that going back to a previous chemo ususally wasn't very successful & they agreed. I'm really feeling that I'm losing ground fast. Thanks for listening - as always.

[ElaineM]

I am not sure about this, but I think the doc can order a transfusion of platelets.
I have all my fingers crossed for you Pam !!!!!!!

[Sheila]

Pam
Chemo itself can reduce the platelet count, and after awhile, it gets harder to "bounce back." My friend her had exactly the same thing...they even did a bone marrow, and it was fine...they were looking for myeloid displasia syndrome....she was off the chemo for 5 weeks before they bounced back...they can give ytou platelets as a boost, but they dont tend to hold as the chemo keeps them knocked down. I already got a NO on 1 clinical trial...they are only taking 2, but am awaiting on the other one...if I qualify for that, I am sure you would...PM me your number again...stay strong, I know that answer and correct treatment is there!
Sheila

[Mary Anne in TX]

Pam, I googled low platelets and there were tons of reasons for them. One was the e-coli I had a couple of years ago. Google it and read and if you're concerned ask to speak to your doctor on the phone and get some peace about it. You've got my prayers, girl. ma

[WolverineFan]

Pam,

I know my situation is different than your's but I have had problems with low hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets. On my second to the last chemo, my platelets were at 80, and my onc continued with the chemo. She told me if it dropped lower, they would consider delaying my last chemo treatment. When I asked about a plasma transfusion, she said the results are not sustaining (typically 5 days) while on chemo, so there is real no benefit. They jumped up to 100 on my last chemo, but since then have dropped again. I have been finished for three weeks on the Taxotere and Carboplatin and am just on Herceptin now. Yesterday, my count was at 77 and the week before 76. They didn't tell me much other than they are going to keep an eye on it. All this to say that I do think a low platelet count is a resulting effect from chemo. Stay strong.

[Cal-Gal]

Pam--
Found this info at this website--do not know how accurate it is---http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-platelets.htm
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Platelets, along with red cells and plasma (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-plasma.htm), form a major proportion of both human and animal blood. Microscopically, they look like little thorned or spiky ovals, and they can only be viewed microscopically, as the average size is about four hundred thousandths of an inch (1 to 3.5 um). Platelets are actually fragments of the cells in bone marrow, called megakaryocytes. Stimulated by the hormone (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-hormones.htm) thrombopoietin, platelets break off the megakaryocytes and enter the blood stream, where they circulate for about 10 days before ending their short lives in the spleen. In the healthy body, thrombopoietin will help to maintain the count of platelets at a normal level, which is approximately 4.2-6.1 million of these tiny cells in two hundred thousandths of a teaspoon (1ul) of blood.

Most are familiar with the blood's ability to coagulate should one receive a cut or bruise. Specifically, platelets provide the necessary hormones (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-hormones.htm) and proteins for coagulation (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-coagulation.htm). Collagen (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-collagen.htm) is released when the lining of a blood vessel is damaged. The platelet recognizes collagen and begins to work on coagulating the blood by forming a kind of stopper, so further damage to the blood vessel is prevented.
A higher than normal count of platelets, known as thrombocytosis, can cause serious health risks. Too much clotting of the blood can lead to formation of blood clots that can cause stroke. Conversely, lower than normal counts can lead to extensive bleeding.
However, in some cases, inducing a lower platelet count is desirable, for instance if a person has susceptibility to strokes or has had extensive heart repair. Platelet counts can be lowered by a daily intake of aspirin (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-aspirin.htm) or other clot reducing drugs. Additionally, when a patient has an intravenous drip (IV), heparin (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-heparin.htm) is used to keep the IV from clotting so fluids can be either taken from or added to the body.
While disease or a genetic disorder can cause a lower number of platelets, other times, they are depleted because of a specific treatment or surgery. Burn victims, organ transplant patients, marrow transplant patients, those undergoing chemotherapy, and those who have undergone heart surgery often require not only blood transfusions but platelet transfusions as well.


Almost anyone who is able to donate blood, and is not taking aspirin or other anti-coagulants, is also eligible for platelet donation, called platepheresis or apheresis (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-apheresis.htm). In this case, blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-centrifuge.htm), where the platelets are separated from the other blood products. The rest of the blood is returned to the body, instead of being collected as it would be in a regular blood donation. The procedure takes from about 90 minutes to two hours.


Once collected, platelets only have a shelf life (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-shelf-life.htm) of about five days, and one donation provides only a sixth of a platelet transfusion unit. Given that bone marrow transplant patients often require up to 120 units of platelets, it is a foregone conclusion that new platelet donations are required daily. Information about platelet donation is available from local blood banks

[Pam P]

Thanks for the info on platelet counts and reasons why they can be low. I hope it's just a lull and my body will bounce back with higher numbers of platelets so I won't have to miss the chemo treatments.

[Ellie F]

Hi Pam
My platelets dropped a lot on taxotere. My onc told me that taxanes hit them badly and quickly and it can takes months and months to recover. This is proving true and I still bruise very easily.
Ellie

[tricia keegan]

Pam, I don't have any personal experience on this but really hope they bounce back fast for you.
I'll keep you in my thoughts, this whole thing is so scary, just when you get a handle another worry pops up!
Good luck!