Giant platelets

[Corriel]

Happy weekend folks!

I am scheduled for an appointment with a hematologist/oncologist on Wed and am starting to get nervous.

I started getting copies of all of my test results just before my dx in 2013 and have had giant platelets present in all but 2 tests since then.

I did not think it was cause for concern because neither my neuro nor GP ever brought it up until I saw my neuro in Feb with some arm and hand issues which my neuro did not feel was MS related.

My neuro sent a recent blood test report to this hematologist asking if he should do any specific testing around the giant platelets and the hematologist's office called me the next week for an appointment.

I asked my GP what I should expect besides more blood tests and he said that I might also need a bone marrow biopsy.

I am pretty sure this is not MS related but was wondering if anyone else here might have/had giant platelets.

Thanks,

Corrie

[karryon55]

I hope it goes well for you Corrie. Remember you don't have to pretend to be anything with your mum and friends around because it's really not about them. I know what you are saying though and hugs to you to get through this appointment.

I have spent way too much time with a haematologist and I have had the giant cells brought up as many other weird things. I suffer from iron deficiency anaemia and neutropenia but I have always avoided the bone marrow biopsy. What Alex said about them getting more accurate info from that is absolutely correct.

Good luck for Wednesday and I hope you get some questions answered.

Hugs,

Karry.

[Corriel]

I asked my mother to go with me which was probably not the best thing.

The appointment is a couple of hours away and I get lost easily and did not want to bother a friend by asking them to take a day off.

Mom has invited 2 others along with us and is telling everyone I am going to see the "cancer doctor". Sigh.

I wish now I was going alone so I don't have to be chatty and social and can just absorb what I learn from the appointment.

Thanks so much Alex!

Corrie

[HVAC]

I am thinking about you. I hate waiting myself. Like you say Wednesday is not far away. The waiting is the hard part of anything. Are you having someone go with you? I take some with me whenever anything new comes up.

Alex

[Corriel]

Thank you, Alex! I thought I was prepared but despite my research I cannot figure out why they are concerned about these platelets now so my nerves are getting the best of me.

Time to forget about the appointment for now. Wednesday will be here soon enough.

C.

[Corriel]

Thanks for your response, I am hoping it is just ITP but my platelets are still in normal range, albeit the low side.

I guess I will at least know what he might be looking for on Wed. :-)

Corrie

[MsmsinFl]

My husband does not have MS (I do) but has idiopathic thrombocytopenia -- low platelets.  His platelets are huge -- hemo doc says these are "newborn" platelets -- but in his case, the body destroys them before they mature  (auto-immune response -- same cause as MS, but NOT MS).  Getting an accurate count is hard for the normal labs -- your hemo doc likely has better equipment.

He had a bone marrow biopsy -- sounds scary, but really no big deal (I was sitting next to his bed when it was done ).  They were looking for causes of the platelet problem, but never found a reason (that's why it's "idiopathic").

For my hubby, we just monitor his platelet count every 6 - 12 months.  He's in the Low-but-not risky number.  He had open heart surgery with no bleeding probs.

So don't freak out.  If they actually find a cause, they can treat it.  If not, you can live just fine with it.  

But it's not part of MS -- remember just because you HAVE MS doesn't mean everything IS MS.  But auto-immune problems do tend to manifest in multiple ways for the same person.

[HVAC]

I have never had giant platelets but I have faced a lot of scary things. I won't tell you not to be scared. I am thinking of uyou and sending ahug.

Alex