platelets

I have chronic Hep C & ESLD. It causes an enlarged spleen & greatly affects platelet production.

My platelets were pretty low to start with (<40) & went down to the low 20s during treatment. The hepatologist suggested splenic irradiation & had a colleague in oncology who was willing to try it. I did some online research & learned that it doesn't always work, but if it does work the platelet count can go back up to reasonable levels. Probably not to the normal low of 150 but 70 or 80. So, being willing to experiment, I decided to try it. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. My platelets went as low as 16 & the oncologist recommended we discontinue. A downside, too, is that the radiation treatments can make you feel miserable (on top of the already miserable side effects of interferon/ribavirin therapy).

I'm in the transplant program locally at the state university hospital, & they are more willing to experiment & take some chances than a doctor in private practice. (Of course, they wouldn't try anything without educating the patient & making sure they have his/her permission)

I asked them about diet, but they said there was really nothing I could do that would help.

I'm glad your sister's doctors are monitoring her blood counts closely.

Doug

I had a platelet transfusion when I was first hospitalized for esophageal varices.

Awhile back, I asked my hepatologist about trying it for my low platelet count. He said it is a very short term fix & would not last long enough to make it worthwhile for someone like me who is not currently hospitalized.

I would still ask about it, though. Different doctors often say different things.

Doug