FAQ - Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic
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Immune thrombocytic purpura; Is it really that major of an illness?


I was recently diagnosed with ITP. The doctors sounded like once i'm off prednisone I would be fine. From what I have researched that doesn't seem to be the case. Should I be concerned? Is ITP really that serious? Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
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OK, here are some facts for you.

There are two types of ITP: acute (temporary or short-term) and chronic (long-lasting).

Acute ITP generally lasts less than 6 months. It mainly occurs in children, both boys and girls, and is the most common type of ITP. Acute ITP often occurs after an infection caused by a virus.

Chronic ITP is long-lasting (6 months or longer) and mostly affects adults. However, some teenagers and children can get this type of ITP. Chronic ITP affects women 2 to 3 times more often than men.

Treatment depends on how severe the bleeding symptoms are and the platelet count. In mild cases, treatment may not be needed.
Outlook

For most children and adults, ITP isn't a serious or life-threatening condition.

Acute ITP in children often goes away on its own within a few weeks or months and doesn't return. In 80 percent of children who have ITP, the platelet count returns to normal within 6 to 12 months. Treatment may not be needed.

A small number of children, about 5 percent, whose ITP doesn't go away on its own may need to have further medical or surgical treatment.

Chronic ITP will vary with each individual and can last for many years. Even people who have severe forms of chronic ITP can live for decades. Most people who have chronic ITP are able at some point to stop treatment and keep a safe platelet count.

Hope that helps.  (+ info)

Has anyone suffered from any of these?


1) Gestional Thrombocytopenia
2) Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia purpura
3) Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

If so what did your doctor do for you. During both of my previous pregnancies I had all of these. Want to know more information if anyone else has had any of them.
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Hi,

1. Gestational Thrombocytopenia- In many women, mild thrombocytopenia occurs toward the end of pregnancy, and the platelet count returns to normal within days after delivery. The etiology for this phenomenon is unknown, but it is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy, occurring in approximately 5% of women at term. For most cases, there is no treatment since it resolves on it's own and the baby is born without any problems.

2. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura- Occasionally, ITP patients suffer from petechiae, bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums; this is the characteristic pattern of bleeding in platelet disorders. Bleeding normally does not occur unless the platelet count is very low (below about 10,000 per mm3, compared to a normal range of 150,000–400,000 per mm3).
This one is more important because if a woman gets it while pregnant, it's possible for the baby to have low platelets as well. Mild ITP does not require treatment. When platelet counts fall under 10,000 per microliter, or under 50,000 when hemorrhage occurs (e.g. in the digestive tract or in a severe nosebleed) treatment is generally initiated with steroids. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is often used initially in order to raise the count quickly. It is also a common treatment for children. When these strategies fail, splenectomy (removal of the spleen) is sometimes undertaken, as platelets targeted for destruction will often meet their fate in the spleen. Splenectomy is said to be successful in 60% of cases although it is less successful in older people.

3. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic purpura- This one is a lot more rare. I've never seen an actual case of this, but most cases of TTP arise from deficiency or inhibition of the enzyme ADAMTS13, which is responsible for cleaving large multimers of von Willebrand factor. von Willebrand factor helps you clot. This leads to hemolysis and end-organ damage, and may require plasmapheresis therapy.

It has two types, the secondary type is the one that is caused by pregnancy. Since the early 1990s, plasmapheresis has become the treatment of choice for TTP. This is an exchange transfusion involving removal of the patient's blood plasma through apheresis and replacement with donor plasma (fresh frozen plasma or cryosupernatant); the procedure has to be repeated daily to eliminate the inhibitor and ablate the symptoms. Lactate dehydrogenase levels are generally used to monitor disease activity. Plasmapheresis may need to be continued for 1-8 weeks before patients with idiopathic TTP cease to consume platelets and begin to normalize their hemoglobin.  (+ info)

Explain why heparin is used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of thrombotic strokes but contraindicated in?


Explain why heparin is used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of thrombotic strokes but contraindicated in a subarachnoid hemorrhage
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Sarah,
I think you need to be doing your own homework. Grab your med-surg book, pharmacology book, lecture notes, etc. and study hard. You could always form a study group if you are wanting to bounce ideas and solutions off each other.
If you don't learn the material, a patient will eventually pay the price.  (+ info)

how to cure a 2 yrs old boy who suffered by purpura?his blood is?


discharging through stool.he vomited 3 times at today.pls,suggest me best hospital in jharkhand/india.
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I think you should see a doctor as soon as possible who will evaluate the boy's condition and probably refer him to a hematologist. From what you have described, the boy seems to be having Thrombocytopenia which means less platelets in the blood. He may be requiring an urgent Platelet Transfusion before he bleeds more, and in dangerous parts of the body like brain etc.  (+ info)

Herbal remedies and alternative therapy for Henoch-schonlein Purpura?


I have been diagnosed with henoch-schonlein purpura and was wondering what herbal remedies would be good for me to take? Also, would reiki or Indian Head massage be good treatments to have?
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Let's look at the parts affected. Reiki would help as a supportive treatment at best, but cannot hurt. Even though it affects all sorts of things, let's concentrate on the kidneys.

Eat More:
Raw foods, garlic, potatoes, asparagus, parsley, watercress, celery, cucumbers, papaya, bananas, watermelon, pumpkin, sprouts, legumes, seeds, soybeans, spirulina, acidophilus, Lecithin

Eat Less:
Potassium, phosphates, beet greens, meat, spinach, rhubarb, swiss chard

Do Not Eat:
Chocolate, cocoa, eggs, dairy

Drink clean water (6-8 glass’s per day), eat smaller portions of meat, do small mild cleanses

Alternative Treatments for Kidney Disease
Nutrients for Kidney Disease
Calcium – helps body use all minerals in synergy
Magnesium – see calcium
L – Arginine – aids kidneys
L-Methionine – helps circulation within kidneys
Multi-enzyme complex – aids digestion
Potassium – stimulates kidney function

Vitamin A – helps healing process of urinary tract lining
Vitamin B complex – helps fluid metabolism
Vitamin C – boosts immunity and elevates urine acidity
Vitamin E – elevates immune system
Zinc – immunostimulant

Buchu Tea
Dandelion Root (pu gong ying) – aids kidney excretion function of waste
Cranberry – acidifies urine and kills bacteria
Celery and Parsley – diuretic (decreases uric acid)
Hydrangea – natural diuretic – cleanses urinary tract
Uva Ursi – natural diuretic – cleanses urinary tract – germicidal
Marshmallow Tea – cleanses kidneys
Goldenrod tea, juniper berries, stinging nettle, parsley, red clover, watermelon seed tea are all good for kidney disease.  (+ info)

My child has purpura down her spinal cord. Do you know what this is?


Flat red rash down the length of her spinal cord. No other symptoms.
We went to the doctor today and he said that he didn't think she was in imminent danger. He took 4 vials of blood and said he was checking her antibodies and then sent u for ultrasound of her spleen, gall bladder, pancreas and kidneys. Have to wait until tuesday for all results and am really needing more information. Noone has heard of this.
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According to Google, it's somewhat of a gray area, but I'd be happy to do more research if you want to message me. I spent about 10 minutes looking around but it's not an easy answer. Again, feel free to message me and I hope you are successful in what you are looking for.  (+ info)

Can I get a tattoo despite the condition I had?


I'm in remission for TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) I was diagnosed in 2003. Since then I have not experienced any of the past symptoms.
May I know if I can get a tattoo despite the past condition I had? Is there a chance for me to bleed while undergoing the tattoo? I remember when I had my tooth extracted my dentist had a hard time operating on me coz I kept bleeding from my gums.
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I don't know anything about your disease but you WILL bleed while getting a tattoo.  (+ info)

How would I know if my brain is bleeding?


I have ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) and the doctor says my platelet level is so low my brain could start bleeding. How would I know if I need to go to the emergency room?
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It depends on where in the brain you're bleeding, but a severe headache, weakness in the extremities, confusion and loss of consciousness are common symptoms of a brain bleed. More details here:

http://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-hemorrhage-bleeding-causes-symptoms-treatments

I'm sorry you're ill. I hope you feel better soon.  (+ info)

What is Henoch-Schonlein Purpura? Why do kids usually gets it? Why does it come with a triad of symptoms?


My kid has HSP.
I understand its autoimmune but i just can't accept that.
It pains me seeing him complaining of severe abdominal pain and being injected with high doses of steroids for pain control.
I take very good care of my child and i just need to know why does it all suddenly happened to him.
He has rashes behind both ears extending to lower extremities.
He also started complaining Muscle cramps and easily tires to walk.
I am very eager to learn in detail the course of HSP.
I hope somebody out there can help me.
thank you very much.
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wow sorry to hear about your child. Here are a couple of links that I hope this will help. best wish that he/she is doing ok.

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000425.htm

http://www.aafp.org/afp/980800ap/kraft.html

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Henoch_Schonlein_purpura?open  (+ info)

is there a support group in brisbane for sufferers of henoch shoneline purpura better known as( h s p )?


This disease normally occurs in children aged between 3 and 7 yrs but can sometimes occurr in older children and also adults. I would very much like to be part of a support group if one exists but would also be happy to start one up if I have enough people to do so.
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Try American Society of Rheumatology.  (+ info)

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