Question about platlets

Rachel1

Before treatment for bone mets in June 2015. My platlets we're fine also rbc. After rads everything dropped and continued down on faslodex, zometa and ibrance. I've been off ibrance 2 wks. Now have liver mets and received 6 units of platlets. My numbers did not go up. Why? Also dealing with pleural infusion, been draining since last tuesday and still have drain. I'm very scared. Please help

zarovka

Rachel -

This is serious and important and scary. Fortunately, many people here will have experience. If you complete the diagnosis and treatment part of your profile with as much detail as possible AND make it public (I forgot the second step for weeks), you will get better answers.

As far as the fear goes, I've been there. I send my prayers. My platelets have not been low, so I can't answer directly. Hang in there.

>Z<

GoldenGirls

My mother has been having the same issue and we were told it is a combination of factors, mainly the damage to the bone marrow from the bone mets and damage done by radiation. The bone marrow is where the blood is made so these things interfere with its ability to do its job. Add to that the effects of chemo and other treatments, including Faslodex. Apparently, it can take quite some time to bounce back even when on a break from treatment. The pelvis and long bones in our bodies are responsible for making the most blood, so having extensive damage to the bones in these areas and having radiation on them can make it take even longer.

My mother had a 6 week break between chemo and the start of Faslodex and she is still having issues. Even after transfusions, her counts are still very low. The oncologist said it will take time for them to rise again.

I'm sure someone with firsthand experience will chime in.

Hugs