Hi everyone!
I was just wondering if high platelet count (I have 555) actually mean anything. I’m new here,and seems like my platelet count is just increasing ( in the end of September it was 523). But seems like my GP doesn’t think it is something to worry about. I also have strange bruises on my legs quite often and even after my blood was taken I developed a huge bruise on that place.
I’m Ukranian,I came to UK six months ago. I only was wondering if high platelet count was something to worry about or it’s fine to have it 555 and that it’s increasing. Thanks for your attention. And I’m sorry if I’m just asking nonsense
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Hello @Jane87. Welcome to this forum. A high platelet count can be caused by a number of things. Does your GP know that you have noticed more bruises lately? My advice would be to ask if you could have regular blood tests just to keep an eye on your platelet count and I think it would be a good idea to mention your bruises too. I don’t want to alarm you but there is a blood disease called ET (Essential Thrombocythaemia) where the platelet count is raised and increased bruising can be a symptom. Having said that, a platelet count in the five hundreds is only slightly raised and it might just be a case of watching and waiting to see if it remains high or goes any higher. Do feel free to call the support line on 0808 208 0888 if you would like to speak to someone about this. They are very friendly and helpful. Warm wishes. Willow X
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Hi @Jane87, a very warm welcome to our forum, and thank you for posting. I do hope you’re doing okay. Willow has given you some great advice here and you are certainly welcome to call our support line if you’d find it helpful to talk things over (0808 2080 888). You are not asking nonsense at all! Your concerns and questions are very valid, and I wonder if it may be worth making another appointment with a GP to share your on-going concerns and have these addressed. You could even agree on a plan going forwards (e.g., monitoring your blood tests like Willow suggested, any symptoms you should be looking out for, and so on). I think it’d be worth the GP knowing about the bruising, too, if they don’t already.
Take care of yourself and we are here for you if you wish to talk this over.
Best wishes,
Tanya.
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Hi @Jane87
Hope you’re ok and welcome also to the forum
As willow and Tanya have said… no post is ever nonsense and by posting it helps not only you but others too.
My platelet found is very similar to yours and increasing. Often Haemotologist maybe put you on a treatment to lower this but generally speaking and this isn’t to scare you but the higher your platelets the higher the risk of a clot. As willow said, it’s really important to monitor any pains or bruises regardless of how minor and obviously be in contact with your medical team with symptoms you are feeling.
What’s high and low and dangerous and not so much differs from people to people. As I mentioned my platelet count is similar to yours and generally I feel ok (touchwood) but someone with ET and that platelet count maybe really struggling.
If you’re ever concerned always ring it in… it’s always better to be safe than sorry and you’ll never be wasting anyone’s time.
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Hi @Jane87 a great big welcome and I can better the responses of others.
No questions are nonsense on our forum.
You have had so much upheaval, anxieties, fears, stress and practicalities this year that this must feel the final straw.
If you have symptoms, it is always worth seeing a GP and going back if your symptoms change, take photos of bruises, keep a diary, write down your questions etc.
A lot of symptoms can mean different somethings or nothing and we are all so special, unique, complex people. Hereditary and environmental issues can come into play.
The main thing I would say is that you really look after yourself and be kind to yourself
Please keep posting
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Hi @Jane87
Welcome! Everyone has given you some great advice. May I ask if your GP has referred you to a haematology specialist? If not you can asked to be referred as your platelet count if rising should be investigated. You are not talking nonsense & it’s only natural to have concerns. Perhaps make an appointment to discuss your concerns with your GP & arrange some follow up blood tests & talk about a referral to haematology. Look after yourself & push for answers if you feel unsure. 
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Hello and welcome. If your platelets are still rising I would ask your doctor to refer you to a haematologist for more tests. There are several reasons why your platelets could be rising, one being an underlying infection, so please don’t jump to conclusions at this stage. You are understandably worried, so if your doctor doesn’t want to refer you, then you are entitled to a second opinion from another doctor. Good luck.
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Well,I’m just afraid to ask for anything… Because everyone thinks I’m just making things out and exaggerating. They think it’s because of my mental problems 
Because I have visited A&E several times already because of my severe headaches, dizziness, chest pain etc. Well, sorry,if it was in Ukraine I would just go to the clinic,get EEG and get my treatment the way I used to do in Ukraine. And as for chest pain,not my fault that any mention of chest pain here they send an ambulance to you because they think it’s heart attack. Again,if I weren’t alone in a foreign country I would act differently.
So I’m actually afraid to ask anything at all now because I will think again I’m wasting time as there are people who need it more than me (which I was told by my sponsor when I was admitted to hospital with acute lower abdominal pain,was their decision to admit me,and only treatment with IV and strong pain killers which they gave me on my mouth actually helped me. Wouldn’t get it at home. They gave me anticoagulant when I was in a hospital too. So now I’m actually afraid to ask for something because again my sponsor or someone else will say I’m making it out, exaggerating and it doesn’t worth it
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Oh, @Jane87 what a really difficult position you are in, I don’t know what to say but if you have severe symptoms please do not ignore them.
Look after and be kind to yourself
Well,I know I have mental health problems as well…But I didn’t make out bruises on my legs… Actually, they appeared after I was very stressed. So certainly these were blood vessels which ruptured…As for trips to hospital…I didn’t make anyone to take me there. And I didn’t know that here for seeing neurologist who will simply say you have PTSD and all symptoms are because of that (why then I used to get treatment in Ukraine from physical symptoms as well and that treatment did help). They say I hit myself because of my bad coordination and bruises are nothing. But I’m not totally insane so if I did hit myself I would probably not worry at all. They appeared out of nowhere,all of sudden. But never mind,I’m mental that’s why I’m just making things out lol. I don’t know what else to say. I’m not saying that I’m very ill or whatever but you know…I only wanted to know what was going on physically,and it’s certainly not just PTSD. Anyway… Have no choice but to shut my mouth. Not very good at asking something for myself anyway. I didn’t expect it to be that hard in terms of medical help here.
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Hello @Jane87
I am so very sorry to hear that you feel you cannot ask for help due to her previous experiences. May I ask if you have anyone that can support you when talking to your GP? I would suggest that speaking to your GP about having regular platelet counts tested so that there can be a reliable comparison of these levels. I would also keep a note of your symptoms and relay to your GP when you are able to discuss this with them.
We are very happy to talk this through with you if that would help: Blood cancer information and support by phone and email | Blood Cancer UK
Kind regards
Gemma
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That’s the point. I don’t have anyone. And now I’m even afraid to ask about anything because my sponsor and neurologist etc are just trying to tell me that my symptoms are nothing and it’s all because I’m mental lol. So next time,no matter what pain I have anywhere I will never ever go to hospital no matter how many times they insist on doing it. Sick of being judged, really. Let them tell me it’s because I hit myself or whatever, platelet level is not that high and nothing to worry about. I don’t care, really. It’s much easier to shut up and say I’m fine than going through all this.
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Oh @Jane87 I felt so, so sad when I read your post, and you must be so sick of feeling that you are judged.
Please, please if you have symptoms that are affecting your life don’t be put off by your past experiences.
It must have taken you a lot of courage to join our forum, you are now part of our forum family and we are all very special, unique people.
Please keep posting and be ever so kind to yourself.
Hello @Jane87. My heart goes out to you and I wish I could support you and speak up for you in some way. I cannot begin to understand all you are going through but as others have said we are so pleased you have joined this forum. Please continue to use it to offload all you are carrying and don’t forget you can speak to someone by calling the support team on 0808 208 0888. It saddens me to think that you feel judged. Please remember you have every right to ask for and receive medical help. Don’t let others put you off. Only you know how you feel. Sending warmest wishes. Willow X
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Hi @Jane87
Please as @Willow mentioned don’t be put off. You have every right to get answers & should never be made to feel that because you suffer with your MH that it’s just that reason when you know it’s clearly not. You know your own body & know if bruising is just happening unexpectedly. Perhaps you could make an appointment with your GP & tell them exactly what you are being made to feel like & you think it’s unfair & you would like some investigations into why you are getting the bruises & some repeat blood tests. I feel saddened that you have nobody who can go with you to offer you support. I really think it would help you to speak with a member of our support team, maybe if you feel you can call 0808 2080 888 Sending you warm wishes
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I don’t think that making any appointments with anyone is possible at the moment. Not just because I am pretty bad at asking for help. But probably because I was kicked out of my sponsor’s house because I have mental health issues and need going to appointments often, also because of my erratic behavior and energy of a child lol. So I have no idea where I am going to. And now my MH is much worse because this caused me another trauma and even made me overdose the night I was evicted. I don’t know, I feel like I’m just about to give up on everything because I don’t feel that anyone actually cares. I was told today again by MH specialist that I’m only taking time of ambulance because of my overdoses. And I’m so desperate and they don’t help. I told them even medication which helped me in the past with my MH. They said we don’t prescribe it for depression here,and back home I had to take antidepressants together with antipsychotic to keep my mood stable that I would not get random idea of running away or do something stupid (at least I was able to sleep at night lol)
Sorry,I know it’s not mental health forum here,I’m just explaining the reason why I would not ask for anything. I’m simply scared. And being totally alone in a foreign country having to lose everything again including my guinea pig doesn’t help either.
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@Jane87 you are right that we are not a mental health forum, but we are here to support you if/when you have a blood cancer diagnosis.
Perhaps just look after yourself and your mental health issues at the moment.
You have probably sourced these already but:
The Mental Health Foundation has some tips
Looking after your mental health | Mental Health Foundation
You can call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably). Or email info@mind.org.uk.
What about Citizens Advice. Citizens Advice
Is there any support from any Ukrainian group at all.
It must have taken you so much courage to post on our forum, I admire you.
Be ever so kind to yourself and really look after yourself
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Hello @Jane87. @Erica has given you some really good advice. I would also add you can call The Samaritans at anytime on 116123 if you need someone to talk to. It is a free phone number. Thinking of you. Warm wishes. Willow X
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Hi @Jane87, my colleague Tanya has sent you a private message to check in. Please do remember we are only at the end of the phone on 0808 2080 888 if we can do anything to support you. As others have said, Samaritans are available at any time on 116 123.
We’re all here for you during what must be a hugely tough time.
Do you mind me asking how you are doing today?
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Doing the same…Moved from hotel to hotel…Not eating properly too Still feeling pretty low. Thanks for asking and really appreciated for all your care
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