17 weeks pregnant and Prednisone

[Angelic]

I need your advice. I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and have been having problems with low platelets since before I was pregnant. I am on Prednisone for my low platelets and I used to respond to it very well and lately, I don't seem to respond very good and my platelets are continuing to fall. I see my rheumy for my platelets and I see a Perinatologist for my prenatal. They have been working together on this issue and they agreed that as long as my platelets stay above 50,000, they are happy. The problem is, I am on a high dose of Prednisone, 40mg, and it doesn't seem to be doing any good now. My platelets have fall from 62,000 last week to 56,000 this week even on a high dose. I called my perinatologist nurse because I am so upset and want to know if there is anything else they can do. It doesn't sound like there are any other options besides high doses of Prednisone. I am miserable being on this stuff. I can't sleep, I am super emotional (could be a pregnancy thing too), I am so swollen that I am growing out of my XL maternity clothes, I can't wear my wedding ring anymore and I look like ****. I have been on it for 6 months and they wanted to get me down to a dose of 20mg where I would stay until the baby is born but I am yet to make it down that far. Now I have to wait till next Tuesday when my doctor's are both in to find out what they are going to do. What should I do? Anyone have any ideas on what my options are? I am scared that by Tuesday, my counts are going to drop below 50,000 and they are going to increase my dose again. Please help!

Angie

[believe]

Hello Angie :wave:

I am sorry you're having a challenging time dealing with your platelets. I can't offer any sound advice, but I can send you some cyber :love: :flowers: :love: :) . I UNDERSTAND how you feel about this feeling of enormity. I complain about it everyday, but I think I'm just plain eating too much.

I think you are doing the right thing thus far. Consulting with the Rheumy and Perinatologist who know your case is necessary for now. I don't know how prudent it would be to consult with a hematologist or ob immunologist. I would think Rheumy and Perinatologist would be your best advisor, if you have confidence in them.

Otherwise, how are you feeling?

Take Care,
:flowers: Believe

[alobreto]

Hi, Angie! ;)
Sounds to me like you're in very capable hands. :thumbs: Your situation is way too complex to be left to other than your specialists working together. They each bring their backgrounds, experience, and education to provide different points-of-view. If another specialist's opinion is needed I'm sure they will procure it.

Being pregnant can be a scary time even when you aren't ill. Having to take medicine makes you worry even more. I am so sorry you're going through this.

I'm sending warm thoughts :hugbetter: your way. I know you can get through this!
Best personal regards,
Angela :flowers:

[rsmurphy]

Dear Angie,
How worried you are I can hardly imagine. It is a good thing that your doctors are making you a team project! :P And the baby is pretty safe where he/she is! Early pregnancy is tough enough on a good day, with emotional roller coasters, bloating, yucks and the "usual" miseries. Add that in to a serious medical condition....try to look at your drug therapy on a one day at a time basis, what you and the baby need to get you both through today. Weaning down from higher doses of medicine can happen later in your pregnancy when your hormones and the baby have adjusted to each other a bit more. :) And it is ok to worry. It sounds like you are in good hands medically. I don't want to give you anything more to worry about, and I don't know much about the therapy for pregnant women, but we give platelet transfusions pretty commonly if the counts drop past a certain amount. I don't know if that is an option for you, but since you asked for suggestions.. I have lupus and aps, so I had the opposite problem when I was pregnant. Look on the bright side, when you puff out of xxl maternity clothes, you can get xxxl and blame the baby. My husband called me the Goodyear Blimp, ain't prednisone loverly???? :wacko: :wacko: Try to remember that weight gain is important
and good for the babe, you need to eat good nutritious foods for you both. Try to eat nutrient rich low cal, low carb foods, simple things like whole grain bread and natural peanut butter was my favorite. Toasting the bread was even better, and adding a banana and a few strawberries (the baby really liked the berries), made me a meal! Keep us posted, and I will send thoughts and hugs of encouragement your way on Tues. Sue.