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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Re: Platelets continue to drop post stem cell 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: Platelets continue to drop post stem cell 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
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: Platelets continue to drop post stem cell 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!
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Platelets continue to drop post stem cell 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
Re: Platelets continue to drop post stem cell transplant
HI @LKCMc10. Hope our counts are okay now.
My brother had undergone a bone marrow transplantation in November 2014. And now, all of a sudden, his platelets and wbc have dropped from 100,000 and 2500 to 40,000 and 1200, respectively. Does this mean he is in trouble? Kindly share your experience. Thank you.
My brother had undergone a bone marrow transplantation in November 2014. And now, all of a sudden, his platelets and wbc have dropped from 100,000 and 2500 to 40,000 and 1200, respectively. Does this mean he is in trouble? Kindly share your experience. Thank you.
Re: Platelets continue to drop post stem cell transplant
Hi, I'm Ann. My platelets continue to drop too. I had a stem cell transplant May 7 of 2009. I just had a bone marrow biopsy last Thursday, New Years Eve. Results on Friday the 8th. So I'm suppose to be in remission, will be 7 years in May. I am enjoying reading your stories as I thought I was alone. I'm glad you all are doing well. I'll worry until I get my biopsy report Friday. Oh, I failed to say I had multiple myeloma too. Regards
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Vivaversace
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