are you currently in treatment?

when i was in treatment a couple years ago my platelet count went critically low around week #5 so the doctor added procrit injections weekly which continued on for the rest of the year.

then, i had to go to the lab every single week to get them checked.

when i asked my doctor about boosting them up naturally he said nothing would work since it's due to the meds (chemo) and is systemic.

when is your next doctor visit, gkringler?

welcome to the group! i couldn't have made it through treatment without everyone on here!

heres what musicman is using but this site is saying beware,,talk to u're dr.......god bless.............

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2010/05/hepatitis_c_bul.html

that reading doesn't sound good......

Am in treatment, they weren't high before but now the graph looks like the stock market crash. Dr. cut shot down to 135 but I hate to do that cause it lowers chances cure will take

I have the same problem due to the treatment, the only thing is booster shor (procit or aranesp). My Dr said that maybe blodd tranfusion also if it keeps dropping and she does not want to reduce the dosage beacause if keep reducing it will not be effective she said.

Only thing I can tell you is on tx or not you should talk to the Dr. however, Vitamin K helps clot the blood and there fore brings up the platelets.. other wise what your Dr. said about blood transfn... I love them! But you can also go in for a couple of units of platelets too. Feel like a new person for about 2 wks.! Good Luck! Fresh Dark Green Veggies~

Procrit and transfusion are all I know. Had to have them to finish tx. Good luck to you.

Here's an article that may explain how to raise platelet count.

Temporary Measures You Can Take:
1) Transfusions
2) Spleen removal
3) Blood Filtration
4) Infusing Immunoglobulins

http://www.streetarticles.com/diseases/how-to-increase-platelet-count-without-destroying-your-immune-system

i may be totally wrong, but i didnt think procrit was used for low platelet count, but rather for low hemoglobin (anemia)

Joe, I think you're right.

I am on Eltrombopag thru a Blood Disease/Oncologist Doctor to raise my platelets. Procrit is for Red blood cells, not platelets. I have only had first of weekly shots that I will getting until and throughout tx as needed. I cannot start hepC tx until I get platelets up above 100. I am currently around 40.I have had no noticeable side affects aside from feeling sleepier than normal. Aside from this drug, I believe there is only spleen removal or transfusion. glenn

a friend had (has?) ITP with a platelet count around yours. He went for weekly tests and often needed to get steroids when the results came back. But, a year later his count just reached around 200+, so he's now going just for monthly tests. Not sure which steroid he was on, but it definitely worked. good luck

Foods can help, but I wouldn't expect a big impact when your #S ARE CRITICALLY LOW.
Prevention:
Iron fortified cereals
-Beans or legumes (especially kidney beans, pinto beans, and chick peas)
-spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
-Dried fruits
-Molasses
-Strawberries ; coconut milk
-meat, fish, and poultry
and papaya leaf, papaya leaf tea.
Avoid fats & something else....

Indoor plumbing? You're way ahead of Apalachia...