[JoanneKParticipant]

Hello.. As some of you know from my previous posts its my dad who has myeloma. He has relapsed however he hasn't been able to start velcade yet as he has been in and out if hospital so much with infections he just isn't fit enough yet.

My question is as follows..

When dad was first diagnosed he needed blood transfusions regularly so I understood this to be red blood cells, however in the past six weeks (ish) he is needing platelets also, they seem to be fluctuating so much. Is this caused by myeloma?? Does myeloma attack platelets too.. I'm getting in a muddle with all these different things as previously he's never had platelets! Please forgive my ignorance but all this is getting on top of us a little bit at mo and I was hoping someone could help me out..

I just wish he could get these infections under control so we can get moving with velcade!

Thank you very much for your help as always.

Joanne xx

[LornaParticipant]

Hi Joanne

From what I understand the myeloma is in the bone marrow that produces all the blood cells and so it can stop not only red cells but also platelets being produced.

Mike my husband had platelets around 70-80 for over a year after his SCT and they weren't too worried.

Lorna x

[DaiCroParticipant]

Hi Joanne,

Platelets play a major part in the fight against MM. Alarm bells ring when they reach the 30 or below mark and this is normally treated by a platelet transfusion (they look like a grey tapioca):-) .

When you next attend the consult ask for the hard copy of the blood tests (the consultant will have them on the computer).:-| You can use these print outs to compare and contrast each test… but you need an abc of blood components to understand the readings better.:-)

While all the categories can be confusing you really only need to keep an eye on 4 main categories… namely:

WBC: White Blood Cells
HGB: Haemoglobin (Red Blood Cells)
Neutrofils: Governing our Immune Systems
Platelets: Basically platelets, a very sticky substance, allows blood clots to form as a protection when everything else is dropping into the danger zones. For a full explanation of platelets and other blood components: Go to:

http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/blood/platelet.html

This heart based site gives an excellent and easy explanation of the various components of bloods. Highly recommended.8-)

Hope this is of some help.:-D

Dai.

[JoanneKParticipant]

Hi lorna and dai…

Thank you both very much for your replies, they are very helpful and much appreciated!! We just haven't encountered the dropping platelets before now.

Dad has been told today that he has pneumonia.. Poor dad, I just wish he could get fit enough to start his next treatment. We are going two steps forward and three back, never two hours alike never mind two days. It's all so frightening for my mum and my sister and me too.. He's in the best place and will be looked after.. I just feel so helpless.

Thank you again

Joanne xx

[Author]

Posts