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Question: Platelets continue to drop post transplant
My platelets continue to drop, and I wonder if anyone else has had an experience like mine. I am almost 8 months post autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma, and my platelet level continues to decline. It initially went up post-transplant but didn't reach the normal range. It is now down to 41. My white blood count and hematocrit continue below normal and recently declined a little. In fact, none of these three levels have been in the normal range since I started chemo a year ago followed by the transplant. My transplant physician has changed my medications several times, and now I am going off my antiviral med for one month. I'd appreciate input from those who have had the same problem. (By the way, my doctor says I am in complete remission with an M protein value of 0. For that I am grateful.)
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LKCMc10
Re: Question: Platelets continue to drop post transplant
Are you on any kind of Chemo? Revlimid, for example, is known to cause a decrease in platelets.
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Sarah - Name: Sarah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 7, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 72
Re: Question: Platelets continue to drop post transplant
Thanks for asking. I have had no chemo since those I was given for the transplant. If it is not the antiviral med (which I stopped taking 9 days ago), that only leaves the Aredia which I get once a month IV for strengthening my bones. I'll have my next lab work on February 2nd and have my fingers crossed that my platelets will not have declined more. Linda
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LKCMc10
Re: Question: Platelets continue to drop post transplant
Hello from Seattle !
It is not rare for patients to have prolonged low blood counts after chemotherapy with or without stem cell transplant. Things that one must consider are effects of other drugs, infections,residual myeloma and the possibility that you had an underlying mild bone disorder that was not evident until your marrow was challenged with chemotherapy.
Since your marrow is not recovering many months post transplant your physician is probably considering a bone marrow biopsy sometime in the future to see if there is evidence of myelodysplastic syndrome, infections or residual / recurrent myeloma.
Low blood counts will limit your ability to receive further treatment. There are now drugs to stimulate the production of all blood cells (white cells,red cells and platelets). Hopefully you will not require these. Fortunately, your m-spike shows a complete remission.
Best of luck in all things!
It is not rare for patients to have prolonged low blood counts after chemotherapy with or without stem cell transplant. Things that one must consider are effects of other drugs, infections,residual myeloma and the possibility that you had an underlying mild bone disorder that was not evident until your marrow was challenged with chemotherapy.
Since your marrow is not recovering many months post transplant your physician is probably considering a bone marrow biopsy sometime in the future to see if there is evidence of myelodysplastic syndrome, infections or residual / recurrent myeloma.
Low blood counts will limit your ability to receive further treatment. There are now drugs to stimulate the production of all blood cells (white cells,red cells and platelets). Hopefully you will not require these. Fortunately, your m-spike shows a complete remission.
Best of luck in all things!
Dr. Edward Libby
University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Any advice provided in these postings is based on a very limited amount of information. There is no substitute for the care of your oncologist/hematologist. Therefore, all suggestions should be discussed with your treating physician. None of the comments presented here are meant to replace the evaluation of a patient by a knowledgable physician.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Question: Platelets continue to drop post transplant
Dear Dr. Libby,
Thank you for the helpful information. Pardon my slow response, but I had not checked my email. We have been in the process of selling our house and will move to another town in the coming week. Needless to say, that has been a great distraction.
I did have another bone marrow biopsy in late November, plus other tests, and there was no sign of myeloma or any other cancer developing. This past week, lab work showed my platelets haven't dropped more, but my other counts remain below the normal range, and my WBC dropped to 2.7. My transplant physician is going to order infusion of gamma globulin for 4-5 days once we are settled.
It seems there is always something to be learned about this disease. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
Linda
Thank you for the helpful information. Pardon my slow response, but I had not checked my email. We have been in the process of selling our house and will move to another town in the coming week. Needless to say, that has been a great distraction.
I did have another bone marrow biopsy in late November, plus other tests, and there was no sign of myeloma or any other cancer developing. This past week, lab work showed my platelets haven't dropped more, but my other counts remain below the normal range, and my WBC dropped to 2.7. My transplant physician is going to order infusion of gamma globulin for 4-5 days once we are settled.
It seems there is always something to be learned about this disease. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
Linda
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LKCMc10
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