Platelets and fatique

[streamline569]

Will be getting my final 6 month blood report soon, but sure I'll be SVR. Question is I'm still concerned about the fatigue. Doctor told me today that the liver will heal and as it does the spleen will decrease in size and platelets will increase. It was mentioned on here that they will not happen that scar tissue will develop and I can expect not to get my platelet count to a level that I will feel good again. anyone have any knowledge why I would be getting conflicting opinions or is this just a wait and see game I'll have to play??? Thanks in advance and wishing everyone good health...Streamer

[streamline569]

Will do....They don't let you into trials with low platelets. I forget the cut off point now but I know I didn't qualify at 70..... because I asked about a trial at that point. They do that because they want only the best results for their drugs so they can get good result therefore approval. They do use a small percentage of the not so healthy but I guess it depends on your doctor and if he can get someone with low platelets in. Looking back I'm glad I didn't qualify for a trial and waited for incivek to be approved. The best to you Streamer

[FaithforHealing]

Wow, those are some low pre-tx platelets! I'm rather new to all of this HCV info, but given the little I do know, it amazes me that you managed to get through tx. My trial cut off was 90, but thank goodness they let me in. Mine have never rebounded to my 80-something pre-tx, but stayed fairly stable in the mid 50's for the first 8 weeks then hit 43 by wk 12. I have reduced inf in my last two injections.
My hgb has been around 11-ish and now dropping to 10.1 (no procrit). I have always been under the impression that it is the low hgb/anemia that makes me feel so fatigued and weak which seems to be my biggest problem on tx. I sure knew when it took big drops even before the labs came in to confirm it.
I have to hand it to you for persevering through this, and I guess the doctor who got you through it; it could not have been easy. How great your your hgb has gone to 12!  I'll be interested to hear about your platelets....I hope they are working their way up!
Keep getting better and keep me posted.
FFH

[streamline569]

Faith my platelets when I started TX  were jumping around in the area of 60 to a high of 70. While treating they dropped as low as 20 rebounded and stabilized at about 60. The last two blood test post 24 weeks of tx they have stabilized at 57. I will be interested in seeing this month's count. Maybe I relate fatigue to platelets count because that is maybe the way the liver was showing damage being done by the liver therefore not fatigue from platelets but fatigue from liver dysfunction. I'm still very tired but looking forward to getting better each month.My hgb stayed pretty much at the 10 to 10.8 because I was put on procrit right away. The first blood test post tx was 10.8. 4 month post was 12. It will be interesting to see this 6 month's post blood work. Hoping it looks amazing....

[HectorSF]

My pleasure.

Hang in there.
Speedy recovery to you!

√v^√v^√♥
Hector

[FaithforHealing]

In what range has your platelet count been? Low before you started tx, but somewhat higher now? It's an important number, but not in terms of how you feel or fatigue.
How has your hgb held up? Was it possibly very low during tx causing anemia? If so, has it rebounded? That's one thing that could cause fatigue, but I thought both of those rebounded as soon as tx stopped.
I had low platelet issues prior to tx (80-100 during the past few years), but never the low hgb til tx. I'd be interested to know how they responded once tx stopped.
Thanks and best wishes for your 6 mos SVR!  Very exciting.  FFH  

[streamline569]

Thank you Hector..much appreciated.....great information.

[HectorSF]

Platelets are used for blood clotting. No one feels any different having low platelet counts. They have no impact on how a patient feels or on a patient's fatigue. Persons with a low platelet count can take a longer time for blood to clot which is reflected in the PT/INR time to clot numbers. When patients with End-Stage Liver Disease have serious clotting issues they bleed under their skin with causes black and blue blotches all over their bodies as can be seen in patients just before transplant.

Fatigue is the most commonly encountered symptom in patients with liver disease. But the process by which fatigue is produced is not very well understood. It is believed that fatigue is caused by signalling between the diseased liver and the brain and neurotransmitter pathways in the brain.

Moderate activity is the best thing you can due for fatigue. Stay active but don't over do it or it will take time to rebound.

In time as your liver heals itself you should start feeling better. Remember everyone is different and how you feel will be unique to you and level of liver disease. Good luck. How you feel better soon.

Best-
Hector