Guest guest Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 In a message dated 10/03/2004 20:38:24 Central Standard Time, bandit5125@... writes: > the itp What does this mean? ITP? Cary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a disorder of the blood. Immune refers to the immune system's involvement in this disorder. Antibodies, part of the body's immunologic defense against infection, attach to blood platelet, cells that help stop bleeding, and cause their destruction. Thrombocytopenia refers to decrease in blood platelet. Purpura refers to the purplish- looking areas of the skin and mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth) where bleeding has occurred as a result of decreased platelet. Some cases of ITP are caused by drugs, and others are associated with infection, pregnancy, or immune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus. About half of all cases are classified as " idiopathic, " meaning the cause is unknown. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- What Are the Symptoms of ITP? The main symptom is bleeding, which can include bruising ( " ecchymosis " ) and tiny red dots on the skin or mucous membranes ( " petechiae " ). In some instances bleeding from the nose, gums, digestive or urinary tracts may also occur. Rarely, bleeding within the brain occurs. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- How Is ITP Diagnosed? The physician will take a medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. A careful review of medications the patient is taking is important because some drugs can be associated with thrombocytopenia. A complete blood count will be done. A low platelet count will establish thrombocytopenia as the cause of purpura. Often the next procedure is a bone marrow examination to verify that there are adequate platelet-forming cells (megakaryocyte) in the marrow and to rule out other diseases such as metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to the bone marrow) and leukemia cancer of the blood cells themselves). Another blood sample may be drawn to check for other conditions sometimes associated with thrombocytopenia such as lupus and infection. Acute and Chronic Form of Thrombocytopenic Purpura Acute (temporary) thrombocytopenic purpura is most commonly seen in young children. Boys and girls are equally affected. Symptoms often, but do not necessarily, follow a viral infection. About 85 percent of children recover within 1 year and the problem doesn't return. Thrombocytopenic purpura is considered chronic when it has lasted more than 6 months. The onset of illness may be at any age. Adults more often have the chronic disorder and females are affected two to three times more than males. The onset of illness may be at any age. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- How Is ITP Treated? If the doctor thinks a drug is the cause of the thrombocytopenia, standard treatment involves discontinuing the drug's use. Infection, if present, is treated vigorously since control of the infection may result in a return of the platelet count to normal. The treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is determined by the severity of the symptoms. In some cases, no therapy is needed. In most cases, drugs that alter the immune system's attack on the platelet are prescribed. These include corticosteroids (i.e., prednisone) and/or intravenous infusions of immune globulin. Another treatment that usually results in an increased number of platelet is removal of the spleen, the organ that destroys antibody-coated platelet. Other drugs such as vincristine, azathioprine (Imuran), Danazol, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine are prescribed for patients only in the severe case where other treatments have not shown benefit since these drugs have potentially harmful side effects. Except in certain situations, (e.g., internal bleeding and preparation for surgery), platelet transfusions usually are not beneficial and, therefore, are seldom performed. Because all therapies can have risks, it is important that overtreatment (treatment based solely on platelet counts and not on symptoms) be avoided. In some instances lifestyle adjustments may be helpful for prevention of bleeding due to injury. These would include use of protective gear such as helmets and avoidance of contact sports in symptomatic patients or when platelet counts are less than 50,000. Otherwise, patients usually can carry on normal activities, but final decisions about activity should be made in consultation with the patient's hematologist. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Where Can I Obtain Further Information on ITP? Blood specialists (hematologists) are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. These doctors practice in most mid- and large-size cities. A majority of medical centers have hematology divisions in their medicine or pediatrics departments, and patients who need evaluation, treatment, or information can often be referred there. Additional information can be obtained from the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 8923, New Fairfield, CT 06812; tel: (203) 746-6518. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- This e-text is not copyrighted. NIDDK encourages users to duplicate and distribute as many copies as needed. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- NIH Publication No. 90-2114 September 1990 e-text last updated: 12 February 1998 Cary: I hope this helps.....Kathi in OK > In a message dated 10/03/2004 20:38:24 Central Standard Time, > bandit5125@y... writes: > > > > the itp > > What does this mean? ITP? Cary > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Hello, Bandit, and welcome to the group! I'm very sorry to hear about your RA and ITP diagnoses. Do you know specifically what viral infection it was that your physicians suspect triggered your RA? I don't remember anyone here saying that they have drug-induced ITP, but ITP comes up a lot in my reading. How are you currently being treated? Prednisone? I'm not sure if you are a good candidate, but have you considered trying staphylococcal protein A immunoadsorption (Prosorba column) since it can be used to treat both ITP and RA? ITPPeople.com " Prosorba Column Therapy " : http://www.itppeople.com/prosorba.htm Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin " Extracorporeal Immunoadsorption (Prosorba column) " http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0355.html Rituxan (rituximab) is also under investigation for both ITP and RA: ITPPeople.com " Rituxan " http://www.itppeople.com/rituxan.htm I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] itp > I am a newbie to this group. I have had ra for 4 years now. > Developed from a viral infection. Since last feb (2003) I have > developed an autoimmune disease called itp. My dr.s think it was > brought on by the ra meds. I was on methotrexate, to name one, which > we think brought out the itp. I am still struggling with the ra and > the itp, and was wondering if any of you have experienced the same > from the ra drugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 the reason I say they think it was brought on my methotrexate is because my counts went up shortly after stopping the drug, but then they crashed again. I have had a bmb and it did come back with some damage, but my hemo in boston thinks that it may be able to rejuvinate itself, I don't have a clue! I have started an intense vitamin regime! it seems to be helping, will see what happens. Anyone else here have these issues with itp? I have been responding to s emails directly and not sure if thats what I am supposed to do, and if its wrong I apologize. you are more than welcome to copy and paste them and put them on this board. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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