MS AND LOW PLATELET COUNT....ANYONE??????

[squeezybear]

I recently had surgery for my gallbladder and found out I have very low platelet counts (40).  They gave me platelets to be able to have surgery(150 count @ time of surgery).  1 month later my platelet count is back down to 79.  I was diagnosed with MS about 5 years ago and have been on copaxone for almost all that time. Could the Copaxone be causing my platelets to drop?  I went off the copaxone when I went into the hospital and have been off of it for almost 2 months now.  How long does the copaxone stay in your system after you stop taking it?
Anyone have low platelet counts?

[monotreme]

Please keep us posted.  We are all hoping it is something simple and easy to fix!!
Elaine

[squeezybear]

I had a bone marrow biopsy wednesday and I will get the results back in 1-2 weeks.

2 1/2 weeks ago my platelets were 79
Wednesday they dropped down to 57

Hopefully this biopsy will show something minor that can be dealt with.

I have been off my MS medicine for 3 months now so they say it should be out of my system by now.

I will keep you all up to date.

[squeezybear]

Thank you all.

I am seeing a hemotologist and I have an appt on wednesday to have them do a biopsy of bone marrow. Not looking forward to it, as I am sure it will hurt !!!

[Quixotic1]

Heather The reaction fell into the Rare category, so would not necessitate followup blood counts.  But, just becasue a person is on Copaxone doesn't mean that this drug is responsible.  

Squeezy - You should have been referred to a hematologist.  This is not a condition to play around with.  Pathologic bleeding (spontaneous bleeding) does not usually occur until the platelets are closer to 10,000.  But, please ask to see a Hematologist asap!

Quix

[Heather3418]

I was not aware that Copaxone would require any follow-up blood work to check for abnormalities, such as low blood components.  This is news to me, as I was told that follow-up testing was not necessary with this drug.

Heather

[Quixotic1]

Yes, low blood components are potential side effects of all the CRAB drugs, including Copaxone.  It is called Thrombocytopenia.  But, lowered levels of al the blood lines, red cells, white cells and platelets (called pancytopenia) was observed rarely before Copaxone was released.

As to how long the reaction of bone marrow suppression could last, I don't know.

Other things, like viruses can also lower the cell counts.

What are your doctors saying?

Quix