low platlets due to enlarged spleen and hydrea

Has anyone been dealing with low platlets due to chemo meds. If they take me off of it  for more than 2 wks the pain gets unbearable.I believe the spleen is holding the platlets.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
What is your primary diagnosis? Do you have chronic myeloid leukemia? Please provide some more clinical details.

[dee11]

Sorry i did,nt mention.. Polcythemia jak2 positive...enlarged spleen but instead of having high platlets mine seem to be low compared to others. could the spleen be storing them. After being off hydrea for a couple of weeks the pain is unbearable..the areas are left side right below rib .. left groin area.. and know it seems osmetimes to settle in the upper mid back.Was also wondering if another chemo drug would help ? Thank you Dianne

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Please request your hematologist for a surgical oncology consultation for your severe pain.
Hypersplenism (where an enlarged spleen sequesters blood components) or moderate to severe symptoms are reasons enough to plan surgery.
There are many issues that you need to educate yourself about - including vaccination, antibiotic prophylaxis etc - before any procedure is performed.
The emedicine.com website on polycythemia vera states"Consider splenectomy in patients with painful splenomegaly or repeated episodes of thrombosis causing splenic infarction." (See http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/205114-treatment)
All the best, and God Bless.

[sachin24]

A related discussion, Low PLatelets as a side effect of Hydrea was started.