autoimmune reaction causing thrombocytopenia

My mother has had rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, her entire adult life.  She is 84.  Within the last year she developed Idiopathic thrombocytopenia which her doctors attributed to abnormal immune reaction in which her antibodies destroy her platelets.  They do not know if their is a link in the autoimmune disease and the platelet destruction.  Age could also be a factor?

She has been placed on the corticosteroid prednisone.  It has caused very poor side effects, such as stomach/chest enlargement.  Some experimental solutions were suggested, but with 50/50 consequences possible, because of her age.

Does anyone know of any treatment options or successful procedures they may have had for a similar malady?

Thanks so much.