Hello,
I can understand the frustration of not being able to remeber simple things. I forget everything I am supposed to do if I don't write it down (then I usually forget where I put the list!). I too have a medical background (Pathologist) luckily despite CNS involvement I haven't forgotten everything!
I assume your mother has ITP (immune thrombrocytopenic pupura)-is the condition of having a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) of no known cause (idiopathic). Most cases appear to be related to antibodies against platelets, or platelet factors. Most often the antibodies are against platelet glycoprotiens of the IgG type.
Treatment options for ITP are Prednisone, IVIG (intervenous immunogloubins), immunsuppressives, and sometimes Splenectomy (removal of the spleen, as this is where most of the platelets are destroyed).
Since ITP is generally a diagnosis of exclusion, test will be run first to look for other causes of bleeding and/or low platelet counts. Secondary causes could be leukemia, medications (e.g. quinine, heparin), lupus, cirrhosis, antiphospholipid syndrome, von Willebrand factor deficiency and others.
Depending on your platelet counts, it could be that your doctor wants to check out these other possible causes for ITP. But here we are really speculating. When you have the results, and can talk with the doctor I am sure she will explain what she was looking for.
Don't forget about the dog!
Ciao,
Monique
). My mom, who has Lupus, has thrombocytopenia quite severely at times, and I know she has mentioned some purpura thing but I can’t for the life of me recall what it was, will ask her.
