Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

I have Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura.
What is that? I can hear you asking. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) is a rare blood disorder that causes a low platelet count. What's wrong with that you say? In many ways, nothing. But, if the platelet count drops too low, it can become a life threatening condition.

My biggest problem right now with ITP is that I bruise a lot. And not little bruises that go away in a day or two. NO. I get these ugly, truly black and blue bruises that linger for weeks. Most of them are on my legs, so no one really sees them, but when I get one on my arm...Forget it! I've given up trying to hide them, and I explain my condition to people, because it is a bit odd to see someone with repeated bruises on their arms.

What am I doing about the ITP? I see a hematologist every 3 months or so, and have blood tests done to check the level of my platelets. This is done with a CBC or Complete Blood Count. The normal range for platelets is anything over 150,000 ppm. The danger zone is a count below 20,000 ppm. Fortunately, I have been hanging around the 50,000 ppm mark, with a recent jump up to 85,000 ppm following a short dose of steroids. As long as my counts stay above 20,000, I do not require treatment.

I was diagnosed with ITP in February of 2007, following a routine blood test, and since my platelets are still low after 2 years, I know that this is a chronic condition I will have for the rest of my life. It can go into remission, but there is no guarantee.

For more information, check out the Platelet Disorder Support Association website: http://www.pdsa.org/index.htm