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What makes platelet count fall?

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Posted 12/29/2016 1:48 AM (GMT -5)
Gary's platelet count has been causing his chemo tx to be postponed for three weeks. Fortunately his PSA has not risen and had actually dropped without scheduled chemo when it was checked last week. His platelets were in the 60 range at scheduled chemo day, then rose to nearly 100
(the number needed to continue his chemo tx), but then he dropped back down in the 60 range.
At the last visit, the medonc said the chemo was the reason he had low platelets and anemia, but that wouldn't explain his drop this week.
He has been eating very good and is still gaining weight. And he still feels pretty good. We just made a 4 hour trip to Bay area, spent a few days with his sis and back again.
We think the low platelets are the reason he is not healing well on some dental work he had done too.
Does anyone know what else might be causing his platelets to drop and if there is any way we might get them and his rbc/wbc back up?
Thanks for your ideas.
Beth for Gary
Posted 12/29/2016 9:19 AM (GMT -5)
It may be caused by the chemo. Ask the oncologist about Neupogen or Neulasta. These two products can help improve blood cell counts in-between chemo sessions.
Posted 12/29/2016 3:41 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you. I will smile
Posted 12/29/2016 7:17 PM (GMT -5)
I believe NEULASTA/NEUPOGEN only affects white blood cells, not Platelets. It works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more WBC's It's likely to be the chemo. If it is, then over time his count should come back to normal.

Some people just tend to run low. My platelets usually run around 100-110, last test a month ago, they were 87. Doc said that level presents no danger , but to come back in two months to check if they went lower
Posted 12/29/2016 9:36 PM (GMT -5)
There are biological agents like Neumaga that can be used to bring back dangerously low platelet counts, but I think they mostly wait for the bone marrow to recover. The kinds of drugs (other than chemo or radiologicals) that depress platelet counts are anticoagulants like aspirin, ibuprofen or Celebrex.
Posted 12/31/2016 6:31 AM (GMT -5)
Apart from your doctor recommends, the natural ways to help the low platelets would be vit. B12, vit.D, iron....this is of course if the cause are the anemias caused by the lack of above. Perhaps it wouldn´t hurt to supplement regardless of the cause (?) Alcohol can lower them, too. I think you are already doing many things to strengthen your hubby and his immune system, and that is just as important for his general health as what doctor may prescribe. Happy new year to both.
Posted 12/31/2016 6:18 PM (GMT -5)
All's I knows the chemo is gone the platelets are down....is there a connection...should it be...never sea..a trip to sis...the weight is up...the spirit above...what do you miss...never love...it never olds ...always bold...was it fun...was it fun...to fight the run...never done... never done...nor ever be..."

" Making love out of nothing at all" greatest love song ever expressed...from him to you...you to him...whim to whim...limb to limb...nothing better...nothing better...
Happy New Year..." somewhere in time ".... scool
Posted 1/1/2017 1:57 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for information everyone. Gary is not drinking alcohol and no anticoagulant meds and he is taking B 12 and vit D, so it sounds like we are just waiting for 2017 and a year of better blood.
Happy New Year to you as well Bolo and to all the HW family!
Beth n Gary
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