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Hi Polly,
I thought that you might be interested to know that I seem to be having a blood issue of some sort. Yesterday, my GP ordered a CBC, just to keep an eye on things, and he called me a little while ago, to tell me that my platelet count is pretty high, (yellow flag level, I assume - IOW, the lab called him, and had him read it back to them, according to the note on the test results). That result was flagged PH, (Panic High).
Here are my readings that are out of range:
RBC - - - - - - - - - - 4.01 - - - - Reference 4.7-6.10 M/uL
Hemaglobin - - - - 11.9 - - - - Reference 14.0-18.0 gm/dL
Hematocrit - - - - - 35.3 - - - Reference 42.0-52.0 %
Platelet - Auto - - 643 - - - - Reference 130-400 K/uL
Lymph% - - - - - - 13.7 - - - Reference 20-40 %
Eo's% - - - - - - - 2.51 - - - - Reference 0-2 %
Note that my Eosinophil level has virtually always been elevated for the past several years, at least, but my doc has always waved that off as probably associated with allergies, (which may well be the case).
Baso% - - - - - - 1.648 - - - - Reference 0-1 %
As you are aware, basophils contain both histamine, and heparin. Hmmmmmm.
Glucose - - - - - 107 - - - - - Reference 70-105 mg/dL
(I had just eaten).
Protein, Total - - 6.0 - - - - - Reference 6.4-8.3 g/dL
All other values were within the normal reference ranges.
By the way, I went by the hospital/clinic this afternoon, and they removed the staples, and approved the way the old stoma wound, (Hartman procedure), and the incision, appear to be healing. I have to go back in two weeks, to check the progress of the old stoma, and in the meantime, I'll have to continue to repack it daily, of course. That was before I received the call from my GP, or I would have asked them about this platelet issue, while I was there.
I don't have the final numbers from the hospital reports. It didn't dawn on me to pick up a copy of all the reports while I was there, because I was planning on just getting copies from my GP's office, after they receive them from the hospital. Unfortunately, they couldn't get their fax, requesting those results, through to the hospital, yesterday, so they didn't successfully fax the request until this morning, and those results haven't been relayed back to my GP, yet.
Any thoughts? My doc says let's check it again in two weeks.
Love,
Tex
Polly - And Anyone Else Interested
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Polly - And Anyone Else Interested
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Tex,
I don't see any cause for worry at this point. Of course, it would be helpful to know what the values were when you left the hospital. Any changes may be simply due to everything settling down after so much trauma. It's also premature to draw any conclusions from a single test, as you know. I'm not concerned about any of the values, other than the platelets, but elevated platelets can mean nothing at all, and can even be a sign of chronic inflammation......there is no question at all that that colon of yours (now in the dumpster, as you have pointed out- LOL) was significantly damaged by inflammation.
I would agree with a repeat test in 2 weeks, unless, of course, you develop symptoms of continuing blood loss.......increasing pulse, increased weakness/fatigue, shortness of breath, etc. or if you see any evidence of blood loss.
It's that old Rosann Rosanna-danna philosophy, isn't it? "It's always something!" Sigh.
Glad to hear all went well with the staple removal.
Lots of love,
Polly
I don't see any cause for worry at this point. Of course, it would be helpful to know what the values were when you left the hospital. Any changes may be simply due to everything settling down after so much trauma. It's also premature to draw any conclusions from a single test, as you know. I'm not concerned about any of the values, other than the platelets, but elevated platelets can mean nothing at all, and can even be a sign of chronic inflammation......there is no question at all that that colon of yours (now in the dumpster, as you have pointed out- LOL) was significantly damaged by inflammation.
I would agree with a repeat test in 2 weeks, unless, of course, you develop symptoms of continuing blood loss.......increasing pulse, increased weakness/fatigue, shortness of breath, etc. or if you see any evidence of blood loss.
It's that old Rosann Rosanna-danna philosophy, isn't it? "It's always something!" Sigh.
Glad to hear all went well with the staple removal.
Lots of love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Tex, I'm glad to hear that Polly is so reassuring. I found the quote below from netdoctor and thought that it might help help your concerns:
Rosie
So it sounds like a temporary elevated platelet level isn't uncommon with blood loss (and goodness knows you had a major blood loss) and body tissue damage (like removal of your colon and having to deal with all the adhesions, etc.) Your looks like your body is trying the best it can to heal.........Blood loss
In event of an injury, the response of the bone marrow to blood loss is to produce more red blood cells and more platelets.
Tissue damage from trauma or surgery
The platelet count will also increase when a relatively large amount of body tissue is damaged either intentionally following surgery or after an accident. This is part of your natural defence mechanism to ensure adequate clot formation and prevent fatal bleeding.
Rosie
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time………Thomas Edison
Polly,
Many thanks. That was my impression, too, but it's definitely reassuring to see that you agree. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a copy of all the hospital records sometime tomorrow. If they don't fax them to my GP pretty soon, (I think the regulations allow them 30 days max
), I'll go back to the hospital, and pick up a copy of the records myself. I can't work, anyway, so it will give me something to do. 
A lot of the little details that went on during my hospital stay just flew right past me, of course, but I seem to remember that my H & H levels were reasonably close to those results, before I was discharged. I don't recall anyone mentioning my RBC, but I would expect that it would be a bit low, of course, since they didn't replace all the blood that I lost, and they continued to draw a lot of blood for tests, several times each day, until I was discharged.
I think that I mentioned that the discharging doctor warned me to take a stool softener, (docusate calcium), twice a day, especially if I take any narcotic pain pills, (which I did, just in case, because the pharmacist gave me the same warning). Today, though, the recommendation, (from a different doctor, of course), was to take Imodium, if I wanted to reduce the output of the ileostomy. She made it sound as though I should consider it as a regular routine, if I want to reduce the frequency with which I have to change pouches, or if I just want to reduce the liquidity of the output.
I guess I'll look that up, to see if Imodium is recommended for such use, but I've always thought that it's not a good idea to take something like that, unless I have a good reason to do so. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a "good reason".
Is convenience a good reason?
Thank you for your insight.
Much love,
Tex
Many thanks. That was my impression, too, but it's definitely reassuring to see that you agree. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a copy of all the hospital records sometime tomorrow. If they don't fax them to my GP pretty soon, (I think the regulations allow them 30 days max
), I'll go back to the hospital, and pick up a copy of the records myself. I can't work, anyway, so it will give me something to do. A lot of the little details that went on during my hospital stay just flew right past me, of course, but I seem to remember that my H & H levels were reasonably close to those results, before I was discharged. I don't recall anyone mentioning my RBC, but I would expect that it would be a bit low, of course, since they didn't replace all the blood that I lost, and they continued to draw a lot of blood for tests, several times each day, until I was discharged.
I think that I mentioned that the discharging doctor warned me to take a stool softener, (docusate calcium), twice a day, especially if I take any narcotic pain pills, (which I did, just in case, because the pharmacist gave me the same warning). Today, though, the recommendation, (from a different doctor, of course), was to take Imodium, if I wanted to reduce the output of the ileostomy.
She made it sound as though I should consider it as a regular routine, if I want to reduce the frequency with which I have to change pouches, or if I just want to reduce the liquidity of the output.I guess I'll look that up, to see if Imodium is recommended for such use, but I've always thought that it's not a good idea to take something like that, unless I have a good reason to do so. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a "good reason".
Is convenience a good reason?Thank you for your insight.
Much love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Rosie,
I appreciate that information. That certainly sounds logical, and there's no question that my body has gone through a lot of trauma in the past week or so, that could cause such a response, so I'm going to relax and see how it goes, (unless, of course, the signs of continued bleeding, that Polly mentioned, should develop).
Thanks,
Tex
I appreciate that information. That certainly sounds logical, and there's no question that my body has gone through a lot of trauma in the past week or so, that could cause such a response, so I'm going to relax and see how it goes, (unless, of course, the signs of continued bleeding, that Polly mentioned, should develop).
Thanks,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
OK, I went back to the hospital this morning and picked up a copy of the labs for the last three days that I was there, (Feb 7,8, & 9).
My WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and virtually everything else appears to be in line with the test levels on the test referenced above, (tested on Tuesday, two days ago). However, my platelet count was entirely normal, before I was released. The numbers were 146, 179, and 212, for those three days, respectively. Note that there was an increase of exactly 33, each day. Since I've been out of the hospital, though, the count has apparently increased by an average of 48, each day. That suggests that the rate may be escalating, rather than just a straight-line rate of increase. That means that by tomorrow, it will probably be well into the range where investigation and intervention is warranted.
I called my doc's office, but they had just received all the data from the hospital, so he needs to review it, first. If he doesn't call tomorrow, I reckon I'll see if he wants to do another blood draw. If we wait for the two weeks to pass, as originally planned, assuming the rate of increase continues where it is now, I'll be running a relatively high stroke risk by then, I would suspect, since my platelet count will be more than twice what it was on Tuesday, and more than 3 times the upper limit of the "normal" range.
And, to add insult to injury, after having the staples removed from the incision, on Wednesday, today, the incision is opening a little about mid ways.
Otherwise, everything is still lookin' good. 
Yep, Roseanne Roseannadanna most definitely knew what she was talking about.
Love,
Tex
My WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and virtually everything else appears to be in line with the test levels on the test referenced above, (tested on Tuesday, two days ago). However, my platelet count was entirely normal, before I was released. The numbers were 146, 179, and 212, for those three days, respectively. Note that there was an increase of exactly 33, each day. Since I've been out of the hospital, though, the count has apparently increased by an average of 48, each day. That suggests that the rate may be escalating, rather than just a straight-line rate of increase. That means that by tomorrow, it will probably be well into the range where investigation and intervention is warranted.
I called my doc's office, but they had just received all the data from the hospital, so he needs to review it, first. If he doesn't call tomorrow, I reckon I'll see if he wants to do another blood draw. If we wait for the two weeks to pass, as originally planned, assuming the rate of increase continues where it is now, I'll be running a relatively high stroke risk by then, I would suspect, since my platelet count will be more than twice what it was on Tuesday, and more than 3 times the upper limit of the "normal" range.
And, to add insult to injury, after having the staples removed from the incision, on Wednesday, today, the incision is opening a little about mid ways.
Otherwise, everything is still lookin' good. Yep, Roseanne Roseannadanna most definitely knew what she was talking about.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hiya Tex,
That is a rapid rise in platelets. Of course, the trend could be reversed by now.
If I were your doc, I would want to do another platelet count to be sure what is happening. As you probably know, they don't usually treat it until the levels exceed 800 (or even higher). But I would definitely feel better knowing what the level is now, and it's certainly an easy test.
Bummer about the incision site. Hopefully it won't get infected, which is no big deal but certainly a nuisance.
Yep, Rosann Rosanna-danna must be working overtime.
I'll stay tuned for more reports.
Lots of love and a
Polly
That is a rapid rise in platelets. Of course, the trend could be reversed by now.
If I were your doc, I would want to do another platelet count to be sure what is happening. As you probably know, they don't usually treat it until the levels exceed 800 (or even higher). But I would definitely feel better knowing what the level is now, and it's certainly an easy test.
Bummer about the incision site. Hopefully it won't get infected, which is no big deal but certainly a nuisance.
Yep, Rosann Rosanna-danna must be working overtime.
I'll stay tuned for more reports.
Lots of love and a
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Gabes,
I'm feeling pretty well, actually - probably better than I should. I am taking it easy - about the only exercise I get is walking, since I'm not allowed to lift much, for about 6 weeks. I feel like I'm on vacation.
Thanks,
Tex
I'm feeling pretty well, actually - probably better than I should.
I am taking it easy - about the only exercise I get is walking, since I'm not allowed to lift much, for about 6 weeks. I feel like I'm on vacation. Thanks,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Polly,
At the current rate, it should be around 787 by early afternoon tomorrow. I'm not very concerned at that level, but if that rate continues for another 10 days or so, it's gonna be getting way on up there.
I'm sure you're right, that this is connected with the most recent events at the hospital, but I don't understand why the platelet count started so low, and just continues to build, at such a high rate. Here we are, 14 days after the last transfusion, and it just keeps going and going. It must think it's the Energizer Bunny. I hope I didn't catch some rare disease, from one of those packets of blood. 
Much love,
Tex
P. S. Okay, I think I'm through whining now.
At the current rate, it should be around 787 by early afternoon tomorrow. I'm not very concerned at that level, but if that rate continues for another 10 days or so, it's gonna be getting way on up there.
I'm sure you're right, that this is connected with the most recent events at the hospital, but I don't understand why the platelet count started so low, and just continues to build, at such a high rate. Here we are, 14 days after the last transfusion, and it just keeps going and going. It must think it's the Energizer Bunny.
I hope I didn't catch some rare disease, from one of those packets of blood. Much love,
Tex
P. S. Okay, I think I'm through whining now.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Tex, I'm responding to the title you gave this post "Polly-and anyone else interested". I certainly don't have any medical insights but I am in the interested category. I'm always interested in how you're doing and so happy things are going well and you feel like you're on vacation. They say no one is indispensable, but I don't think they've met you. May the progress continue, Love JoAnn
Hi JoAnn,
My biggest concern is that if I keep making good progress, I'll have to go back to work, in a month or so.
Thanks for the kind words, and good wishes.
Love,
Tex
My biggest concern is that if I keep making good progress, I'll have to go back to work, in a month or so.
Thanks for the kind words, and good wishes.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex,
I am sorry to hear about all of your recent problems, wow that was a close call. Fortunately you've kept yourself up and were able to put up a good old Texan fight.
I had to put down my trusty sidekick, he succumbed to cancer before Christmas. I made a long drive and brought home a new puppy, he wishes you well and so do I.
Take care and I'm sure you'll be two-steppin' in no time.
"Cash" 8 weeks
"Dakota" 13 yrs 11 months 12/95 -11/09 I drew the lucky straw with him.
I am sorry to hear about all of your recent problems, wow that was a close call. Fortunately you've kept yourself up and were able to put up a good old Texan fight.
I had to put down my trusty sidekick, he succumbed to cancer before Christmas. I made a long drive and brought home a new puppy, he wishes you well and so do I.
Take care and I'm sure you'll be two-steppin' in no time.
"Cash" 8 weeks
"Dakota" 13 yrs 11 months 12/95 -11/09 I drew the lucky straw with him.
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln
Delta, So sorry you lost Dakota. I hope the new little guy will give you much comfort. He is really adorable.
Tex, Keeping you in my heart and mind about the new situation with the platelet count. I pray it will be resolved soon. My mother has had Essential Thrombocytosis for over 10 years. It has been controlled by meds. Not that you have it, but just thought I'd mention it.
Best of luck that it is a temporary situation.
Love, Shirley
Tex, Keeping you in my heart and mind about the new situation with the platelet count. I pray it will be resolved soon. My mother has had Essential Thrombocytosis for over 10 years. It has been controlled by meds. Not that you have it, but just thought I'd mention it.
Best of luck that it is a temporary situation.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill